Bonds first withdrawal strategy and Firecalc

[letsquit]

Firecalc assumes withdrawals are made each year by the "rebalancing" method, meaning either stocks or bonds are sold each year to maintain the same asset allocation over time. Spitzer and Singh proved that a "bonds first" withdrawal strategy can produce better results than rebalancing (although a huge equity balance will result over time). The "bonds first" strategy is consistent with "buckets" strategy. Has anyone figured out how to test the "bonds first" strategy in Firecalc? The tool doesn't seem to let us modify the withdrawal strategy. Thanks!

 

[REWahoo]

The tool doesn't seem to let us modify the withdrawal strategy.

Correct. Not one of the variables included in the tool.

 

[foxfirev5]

Using a bonds first strategy would be similar to a rising equity glidepath, previously discussed here and at Bogleheads. By the nature of the investments and prior historical results the success rate would be favorable. I prefer to take a conserative approach to the calculator and use it as a guide rather than a predetermined result.