Financial Independence – Ideas By Mike™ Podcast

William P. Bengen’s Newest Updates: How Retirees Can Safely Withdraw 4.7% or Even 5.5% Ep. 33

By Ideas by Mike | September 19, 2025

William Bengen retirement withdrawal strategies have shaped how millions plan for retirement. Known as the creator of the famous 4% Rule, Bengen now reveals new research that challenges the old standard. In this episode of the Ideas by Mike™ Podcast, Mike Milligan, CFP®, asks the key question: is 4% rule still safe in 2025?

Bengen explains why his updated research supports a 4.7% withdrawal rate, when retirees might take even 5.5%, and how diversification, inflation, and market conditions impact retirement success.

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👤 About Our Guest: William P. Bengen

William P. Bengen is the pioneering financial planner who first formulated the now-famous “4 % Rule” for retirement withdrawals and coined the term “SAFEMAX.” With over 30 years of research on maximizing sustainable income in retirement, he’s updated the rule to 4.7 % in his new book A Richer Retirement. Bengen holds a B.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT and an advanced degree in financial planning, and runs a website where he shares his charts, tables, and ongoing research.

If you want to dive deeper into Bengen’s research? Visit his website: https://www.bengenfs.com/

To explore free retirement planning charts, and grab his new book A Richer Retirement on Amazon to learn how to supercharge the 4% Rule, click this!

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Resources:

Tom Hegna’s Retirement Playbook: Proven Formula for Retirement Income, Wealth & Peace of Mind Episode 32

Stream all past episode of Ideas by Mike™ Podcast!

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

Do you have any financial inquiries you need answered?
Send us an email – mike@mikemilligancfp.com
Or Call/Text “PODCAST” to (757) 909-7151

Intro and Outro Music: “Podcast Interview Background Music” by Ievgen Poltavskyi (HitsLab) via Pixabay

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The Discipline Dividend: How You Do One Thing Is How You Do Everything with Josef Mehall (Ep. 24)

By Ideas by Mike™ | April 23, 2025

From former college hockey player to a leading retirement specialist. Join host Mike Milligan as he sits down with team member Josef Mehall, a talented entrepreneurial spirit that is passionate about leaving things better than he found them.

With his engaging story of growth to becoming a financial expert, Josef shares how he helps clients shape their retirement dreams with personalized financial plans that reflect their unique values and aspirations.

Other key discussion points include:

The transition from entrepreneurial ventures to financial planning (04:00)
Differences between Roth IRAs and traditional investments (12:00)
The impact of early retirement planning for young adults (11:00)
Unique insights on ‘Assets under Influence’ vs. ‘Assets under Management’ (17:00)
Personal strategies for tackling student loans and retirement savings (20:54)

Connect with Mike Milligan, CFP®:

Connect with Josef Mehall:

LinkedIn: Josef Mehall

About Our Guest:

Josef Mehall is a dedicated financial professional with a unique background that combines the discipline of a former collegiate hockey player with the strategic mindset developed through years of entrepreneurship and experience in the insurance industry.

Originally from Berkley, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, Mehall attended Iowa State University, where he refined his skills on the ice as a collegiate hockey player while cultivating a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for teamwork.

His professional journey has been diverse, spanning from a real estate apprenticeship to a career in financial services. He spent a decade as an entrepreneur, owning and operating his own car detailing business, where he developed a keen attention to detail, built strong customer relationships, and experienced the rewards of growing a business from the ground up. Following this entrepreneurial endeavor, he transitioned into the insurance industry, spending the past year and a half as an independent insurance professional, gaining valuable insights into risk management and financial planning.

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How to Live a One-of-a-Kind Life (Ep.21)

By Ideas by Mike™ | March 19, 2025

Ever faced a mountain and thought, “I can’t do this?” This episode serves as a way to combat this thought.

As the calendar turns to 2025, Mike Milligan recounts an incredible journey to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain and draws parallels to the journey of retirement planning. Learn how each individual step, supported by a trusted guide, can lead you to breathtaking highs in your financial life.

Mike shares the importance of personalized financial planning, exploring the value of having an experienced guide in crafting your unique financial path. With stories of breathtaking adventures and overcoming limits, he ties these experiences back to helping you achieve the retirement of your dreams.

Key discussion points include:

The significance of taking small, consistent steps in retirement planning (10:00)
Understanding how personalized plans can lead to unique financial experiences (14:59)
Get to know the team behind Ideas By Mike™ and how they contribute to crafting individualized plans (16:30)
The power of asking “What makes you one of a kind?” in developing a personal financial strategy (19:00)
And more!