US Large Cap: a good asset for your retirement?

Last Update: 30 April 2023

US Large Cap is an asset class belonging to Stocks category.

You can invest in this asset class, let it passively follow the market trend, and in the meantime you can periodically withdraw a portion of it for your retirement.

Worst case scenario so far, over a 30-year time horizon, you could have withdrawn 2.868% of your initial capital each year, kept withdrawing all the time (adjusting for inflation), and you wouldn't have run out of money before 30 years.

Considering the last 30-year (last update: April 2023), a safe withdrawal rate would have been 8.527%.

In this post, we will find out the most affordable withdrawal strategies. All calculations are made on actual historical series.

US Large Cap asset class

Over the last 30 years (last update: April 2023), the asset class has returned 9.78% annualized, with a maximum drawdown of -50.8%.

Let's consider different timeframes, all ending at April 2023: which Withdrawal Rates could you have applied without running out of money in your retirement?

The Withdrawal Rates calculated here are annualized and refer to the initial capital (not the current!). The first month withdrawal is 1/12 of that annualized withdrawal and it's adjusted for inflation for each subsequent month.

A Perpetual Withdrawal Rate (PWR) protected the original inflation adjusted capital.

A Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR) didn't protect the original capital, but the investment didn't run out of money during retirement. The capital went to zero exaclty at the end of the retirement period.

Learn more about Withdrawal Rate simulation
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Timeframes ending at Apr 2023
Withdrawal Rate (%)
Investment Performances
Timeframe Period from Period to Perpetual Safe Ann.Return(%)
[ Infl.Adj. ]		 Max
Drawdown(%)
20 Years 1 May 2003
 30 Apr 2023 6.464 8.600 9.93
[ 7.21 ] 		-50.80
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
30 Years 1 May 1993
 30 Apr 2023 7.435 8.527 9.78
[ 7.09 ] 		-50.80
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
40 Years 1 May 1983
 30 Apr 2023 8.584 9.038 10.83
[ 7.76 ] 		-50.80
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
50 Years 1 May 1973
 30 Apr 2023 4.078 4.282 10.48
[ 6.28 ] 		-50.80
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
60 Years 1 May 1963
 30 Apr 2023 4.033 4.171 9.98
[ 5.85 ] 		-50.80
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
70 Years 1 May 1953
 30 Apr 2023 8.630 8.709 10.73
[ 6.94 ] 		-50.80
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
Simulations are calculated with actual returns of US Large Cap Asset Class | Preserved capital and withdrawals are considered adjusted for inflation | Withdrawals happen monthly | Performances are calculated in USD dollars, considering reinvestment of dividends when applicable | Inflation is updated at April 2023

Withdrawal Rates Simulation (updated at Apr 2023)

During your retirement, tipically you want to divest periodically some amount of money from your invested capital, without running out of money over a long period.

How much would it be an acceptable withdrawal rate, for the US Large Cap asset class?

▼ Methodology and Definitions
The algorithm calculates the chance of success of a initial withdrawal rate, whose amount in dollars is adjusted monthly for inflation. The algorithm tries a retirement simulation, starting at every possible month in the given period.
For instance, assuming a 20 years retirement, the algorithm will cover each 20 year timeframe starting at every possible month in the given period between the start and end month.

Here's how simulations work (each simulation is based on actual asset class returns, in US dollars):
  • At the beginning, you start with a certain amount of money invested in the portfolio (i.e. the initial invested capital).
  • Each month, money is withdrawn from the portfolio. The withdrawal rate is calculated based on the initial withdrawn, annualized.
  • Each month, portfolio value is updated, based on the asset classes returns (dividends are supposed to be reinvested).
  • Each month, portfolio is rebalanced, to reset to the original weight of the assets (applicable only if portfolio contains at least 2 assets).
  • Each month, the withdrawal is adjusted for inflation (US Inflation is used for simulation).
The Withdrawal Rates calculated here are annualized and refer to the initial capital (not the current!). The first month withdrawal is 1/12 of that annualized withdrawal and it's adjusted for inflation for each subsequent month.

The Perpetual Withdrawal Rate (PWR) is the percentage of the initial portfolio balance that can be withdrawn at the beginning of each month with inflation adjustment, preserving the original invested capital, adjusted for inflation too. In this website, you can find PWRs with 100% Capital Protection, or less.

The Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR) is the percentage of the initial portfolio balance that can be withdrawn at the beginning of each month with inflation adjustment, without the portfolio running out of money. In this website, you can find SWRs with 100% Success rate, or less.

Learn more about Withdrawal Rate simulation
Data Sources and Credits

Analyzing the available data source, several N-years timeframes have been considered to calculate the withdrawal rates and their success percentage.

For instance, given a 20 years timeframe, the algorithm will cover each 20 year timeframe starting at every possible month in the given period between the start and end month (Apr 2023).

Period: Jan 1871 - Apr 2023
Swipe left to see all data
PWR (%) - Perpetual Withdrawal Rate
SWR (%) - Safe Withdrawal Rate
Preserved Capital 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Success Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 95% 90% 80% 50%
Timeframes 20 Years
Worst Period (from) 		0.000
May 1901 		0.819
Sep 1929 		1.647
Sep 1929 		2.474
Sep 1929 		3.301
Sep 1929 		4.813 5.282 6.051 8.825
30 Years
Worst Period (from) 		1.529
Jun 1902 		2.337
Jun 1902 		2.595
Sep 1929 		2.731
Sep 1929 		2.868
Sep 1929 		4.174 4.574 5.132 7.311
40 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.454
Sep 1929 		2.529
Sep 1929 		2.605
Sep 1929 		2.681
Sep 1929 		2.756
Sep 1929 		3.885 4.170 4.611 6.425
50 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.309
Sep 1929 		2.398
Sep 1929 		2.486
Sep 1929 		2.574
Sep 1929 		2.663
Sep 1929 		3.657 3.948 4.359 5.921
60 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.474
Sep 1929 		2.504
Sep 1929 		2.535
Sep 1929 		2.565
Sep 1929 		2.596
Sep 1929 		3.932 4.160 4.703 6.028
70 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.539
Sep 1929 		2.548
Sep 1929 		2.557
Sep 1929 		2.565
Sep 1929 		2.574
Sep 1929 		3.870 4.102 4.684 6.098
Legend:
SWR 100% Success
95% Success
90% Success
PWR 100% Capital Protection
75%
50% Protection
25%
Period: May 1923 - Apr 2023
Swipe left to see all data
PWR (%) - Perpetual Withdrawal Rate
SWR (%) - Safe Withdrawal Rate
Preserved Capital 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Success Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 95% 90% 80% 50%
Timeframes 20 Years
Worst Period (from) 		0.000
Sep 1929 		0.819
Sep 1929 		1.647
Sep 1929 		2.474
Sep 1929 		3.301
Sep 1929 		4.633 4.921 5.728 8.938
30 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.322
Sep 1929 		2.458
Sep 1929 		2.595
Sep 1929 		2.731
Sep 1929 		2.868
Sep 1929 		3.914 4.264 4.937 7.893
40 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.454
Sep 1929 		2.529
Sep 1929 		2.605
Sep 1929 		2.681
Sep 1929 		2.756
Sep 1929 		3.661 3.928 4.468 6.772
50 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.309
Sep 1929 		2.398
Sep 1929 		2.486
Sep 1929 		2.574
Sep 1929 		2.663
Sep 1929 		3.488 3.674 4.137 6.165
60 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.474
Sep 1929 		2.504
Sep 1929 		2.535
Sep 1929 		2.565
Sep 1929 		2.596
Sep 1929 		3.944 4.307 4.829 6.832
70 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.539
Sep 1929 		2.548
Sep 1929 		2.557
Sep 1929 		2.565
Sep 1929 		2.574
Sep 1929 		3.649 4.294 5.540 7.541
Legend:
SWR 100% Success
95% Success
90% Success
PWR 100% Capital Protection
75%
50% Protection
25%
Period: May 1973 - Apr 2023
Swipe left to see all data
PWR (%) - Perpetual Withdrawal Rate
SWR (%) - Safe Withdrawal Rate
Preserved Capital 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Success Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 95% 90% 80% 50%
Timeframes 20 Years
Worst Period (from) 		1.769
Apr 2000 		2.440
Apr 2000 		3.110
Apr 2000 		3.780
Apr 2000 		4.450
Apr 2000 		4.953 5.563 6.985 9.972
30 Years
Worst Period (from) 		3.823
May 1973 		4.050
May 1973 		4.276
May 1973 		4.503
May 1973 		4.730
May 1973 		6.330 6.919 7.739 8.868
Legend:
SWR 100% Success
95% Success
90% Success
PWR 100% Capital Protection
75%
50% Protection
25%
Simulations are calculated with actual returns of US Large Cap Asset Class | Preserved capital and withdrawals are considered adjusted for inflation | Withdrawals happen monthly | Performances are calculated in USD dollars, considering reinvestment of dividends when applicable | Inflation is updated at April 2023

Withdrawals and Success Rate

If you had implemented a specific Withdrawal Strategy with the US Large Cap asset class, which would have been the success rate so far?

Simulations follow the same rules mentioned before. Withdrawals are expressed as yearly rates and refer to the initial capital. After that, withdrawal amount is monthly adjusted for inflation.

Success rates are calculated over all the past timeframes available in the data source. To focus on a specific withdrawal rate, click on the links in the table.

Period: Jan 1871 - Apr 2023
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Withdrawal
Rate
20 Years
30 Years
40 Years
50 Years
60 Years
70 Years
% Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile
2.00 %
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
2.50 %
100.00
100.00
100% Succ.
2.868%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.756%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.663%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.596%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.574%
3.00 %
100.00
100% Succ.
3.301%
99.93
99.85
99.76
99.64
99.60
3.50 %
99.87
99.46
99.04
95% Succ.
3.885%
97.23
95% Succ.
3.657%
98.56
95% Succ.
3.932%
98.38
95% Succ.
3.870%
4.00 %
99.75
96.53
95% Succ.
4.174%
92.81
90% Succ.
4.170%
89.02
80% Succ.
4.359%
93.87
90% Succ.
4.160%
92.72
90% Succ.
4.102%
4.50 %
97.99
95% Succ.
4.813%
91.01
90% Succ.
4.574%
82.36
80% Succ.
4.611%
77.22
84.22
80% Succ.
4.703%
83.82
80% Succ.
4.684%
5.00 %
92.70
90% Succ.
5.282%
82.16
80% Succ.
5.132%
73.76
68.19
72.86
73.71
5.50 %
87.54
75.02
65.68
56.88
50% Succ.
5.921%
59.96
62.49
6.00 %
80.68
80% Succ.
6.051%
69.09
56.41
50% Succ.
6.425%
48.90
51.04
50% Succ.
6.028%
52.28
50% Succ.
6.098%
6.50 %
74.07
62.76
48.63
39.14
41.21
43.28
7.00 %
70.99
55.41
50% Succ.
7.311%
40.62
34.26
36.16
38.42
7.50 %
66.90
46.90
35.36
30.11
31.83
33.16
8.00 %
60.67
41.18
30.84
24.41
24.53
23.66
Period: May 1923 - Apr 2023
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Withdrawal
Rate
20 Years
30 Years
40 Years
50 Years
60 Years
70 Years
% Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile % Success Percentile
2.00 %
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
2.50 %
100.00
100.00
100% Succ.
2.868%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.756%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.663%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.596%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.574%
3.00 %
100.00
100% Succ.
3.301%
99.88
99.72
99.50
95% Succ.
3.488%
99.17
98.89
3.50 %
99.79
99.05
95% Succ.
3.914%
98.20
95% Succ.
3.661%
94.34
90% Succ.
3.674%
96.67
95% Succ.
3.944%
95.57
95% Succ.
3.649%
4.00 %
99.58
93.94
90% Succ.
4.264%
88.49
80% Succ.
4.468%
83.19
80% Succ.
4.137%
94.39
90% Succ.
4.307%
93.07
90% Succ.
4.294%
4.50 %
96.67
95% Succ.
4.633%
86.80
80% Succ.
4.937%
79.33
71.88
87.32
80% Succ.
4.829%
89.20
5.00 %
88.14
79.79
71.98
63.39
76.51
82.83
5.50 %
82.21
80% Succ.
5.728%
74.79
64.36
56.24
68.61
80.33
80% Succ.
5.540%
6.00 %
77.84
69.20
59.92
51.58
50% Succ.
6.165%
63.20
74.79
6.50 %
72.84
65.52
54.23
50% Succ.
6.772%
44.43
53.85
50% Succ.
6.832%
65.37
7.00 %
69.82
60.29
47.16
39.77
48.02
58.73
7.50 %
65.66
54.22
50% Succ.
7.893%
41.89
34.94
41.37
50.42
50% Succ.
7.541%
8.00 %
60.25
48.63
36.48
29.45
36.17
43.49
Period: May 1973 - Apr 2023
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Withdrawal
Rate
20 Years
30 Years
% Success Percentile % Success Percentile
2.00 %
100.00
100.00
2.50 %
100.00
100.00
3.00 %
100.00
100.00
3.50 %
100.00
100.00
4.00 %
100.00
100% Succ.
4.450%
100.00
4.50 %
99.17
95% Succ.
4.953%
100.00
100% Succ.
4.730%
5.00 %
94.46
97.10
5.50 %
90.58
90% Succ.
5.563%
97.10
6.00 %
87.26
95.02
95% Succ.
6.330%
6.50 %
82.83
80% Succ.
6.985%
94.61
90% Succ.
6.919%
7.00 %
79.78
89.21
7.50 %
77.01
84.23
80% Succ.
7.739%
8.00 %
72.85
75.93
Simulations are calculated with actual returns of US Large Cap Asset Class | Preserved capital and withdrawals are considered adjusted for inflation | Withdrawals happen monthly | Performances are calculated in USD dollars, considering reinvestment of dividends when applicable | Inflation is updated at April 2023

Related Pages

Asset Class Main Page:
US Large Cap Asset Class

For the US Large Cap Asset Class, we have prepared a report for each available timeframe:
20-Year    30-Year    40-Year    50-Year    60-Year    70-Year   

if you want to learn more about the statistics of a specific withdrawal rate, we suggest these in particular:
2%    2.5%    3%    3.5%    4%    4.5%    5%   

Website Homepage:
BestRetirementPortfolio.com

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