Warren Buffett Portfolio: how to retire safely

Last Update: 30 November 2023

The Warren Buffett Portfolio invests in 2 asset classes and is allocated for 90% on Stocks.

In the period Jan 1871 - Nov 2023, the portfolio granted a 8.72% annualized return, with a -79.59% maximum drawdown.

Key Points

Worst case scenario so far, over a 30-year time horizon, you could have withdrawn 3.237% of your initial capital each year, kept withdrawing all the time (adjusting for inflation), and you wouldn't have run out of money before 30 years.

With a 4% withdrawal strategy, you would have lived on your investiment for 30 years in the 97.29% of cases, and for 50 years in the 89.32% of cases .

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

You can implement the portfolio, let it passively follow the market trend, and in the meantime you can periodically withdraw a portion of it for your retirement.

The Warren Buffett Portfolio

The Warren Buffett Portfolio contains 90% Stocks, 10% Bonds.

Weight Asset Class Category
90.00 % US Large Cap Stocks
10.00 % US Short Term (1-3y) Treasuries Fixed Income

Over the last 30 years (last update: November 2023), the portfolio has returned 9.32% annualized, with a maximum drawdown of -46.52%.

8.053% has been a safe withdrawal rate.

Let's consider different timeframes, all ending at November 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 portfolio didn't run out of money during retirement. The portfolio went to zero exaclty at the end of the retirement period.

Learn more about Withdrawal Rate simulation
Swipe left to see all data
Timeframes ending at Nov 2023
Withdrawal Rate (%)
Investment Performances
Timeframe Period from Period to Perpetual Safe Ann.Return(%)
[ Infl.Adj. ]		 Max
Drawdown(%)
20 Years 1 Dec 2003
 30 Nov 2023 5.214 7.466 8.93
[ 6.18 ] 		-46.52
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
30 Years 1 Dec 1993
 30 Nov 2023 6.882 8.053 9.32
[ 6.64 ] 		-46.52
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
40 Years 1 Dec 1983
 30 Nov 2023 8.508 9.017 10.48
[ 7.45 ] 		-46.52
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
50 Years 1 Dec 1973
 30 Nov 2023 4.716 4.946 10.45
[ 6.33 ] 		-46.52
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
60 Years 1 Dec 1963
 30 Nov 2023 3.843 3.999 9.68
[ 5.56 ] 		-46.52
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
70 Years 1 Dec 1953
 30 Nov 2023 7.978 8.072 10.35
[ 6.57 ] 		-46.52
Nov 2007 - Feb 2009
Simulations are calculated with actual returns of Warren Buffett Portfolio | Preserved capital and withdrawals are considered adjusted for inflation | Withdrawals happen monthly | Performances are calculated in USD dollars, considering reinvestment of dividends when applicable | Portfolio is rebalanced each month | Inflation is updated at October 2023

Withdrawal Rates Simulation (updated at Nov 2023)

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

Based on how long your retirement is, what would it be an acceptable withdrawal rate, for the Warren Buffett Portfolio?

▼ 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

In the table below, we analyze different key withdrawal rates, based on the length of retirement. To focus on a specific timeframe for this portfolio, click on the links in the table.

Period: Jan 1871 - Nov 2023
Swipe left to see all data
PWR (%) - Perpetual Withdrawal Rate
SWR (%) - Safe Withdrawal Rate
Preserved Capital (Infl.Adj) 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 		0.968
Jul 1901 		2.053
Sep 1929 		2.920
Sep 1929 		3.787
Sep 1929 		4.958 5.358 6.060 8.669
30 Years
Worst Period (from) 		1.785
Jun 1902 		2.526
Jun 1902 		2.906
Sep 1929 		3.071
Sep 1929 		3.237
Sep 1929 		4.242 4.621 5.117 7.121
40 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.687
Dec 1968 		2.803
Sep 1929 		2.897
Sep 1929 		2.990
Sep 1929 		3.084
Sep 1929 		3.923 4.209 4.597 6.201
50 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.534
Sep 1929 		2.640
Sep 1929 		2.746
Sep 1929 		2.852
Sep 1929 		2.958
Sep 1929 		3.714 3.981 4.317 5.694
60 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.717
Sep 1929 		2.755
Sep 1929 		2.793
Sep 1929 		2.831
Sep 1929 		2.869
Sep 1929 		3.936 4.114 4.603 5.750
70 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.792
Sep 1929 		2.804
Sep 1929 		2.815
Sep 1929 		2.827
Sep 1929 		2.838
Sep 1929 		3.873 4.074 4.600 5.839
Legend:
SWR 100% Success
95% Success
90% Success
PWR 100% Capital Protection
75%
50% Protection
25%
Period: Dec 1923 - Nov 2023
Swipe left to see all data
PWR (%) - Perpetual Withdrawal Rate
SWR (%) - Safe Withdrawal Rate
Preserved Capital (Infl.Adj) 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) 		0.319
Sep 1929 		1.186
Sep 1929 		2.053
Sep 1929 		2.920
Sep 1929 		3.787
Sep 1929 		4.799 5.021 5.853 8.660
30 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.575
Sep 1929 		2.741
Sep 1929 		2.906
Sep 1929 		3.071
Sep 1929 		3.237
Sep 1929 		4.019 4.354 4.962 7.620
40 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.687
Dec 1968 		2.803
Sep 1929 		2.897
Sep 1929 		2.990
Sep 1929 		3.084
Sep 1929 		3.733 3.975 4.475 6.447
50 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.534
Sep 1929 		2.640
Sep 1929 		2.746
Sep 1929 		2.852
Sep 1929 		2.958
Sep 1929 		3.544 3.727 4.144 5.737
60 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.717
Sep 1929 		2.755
Sep 1929 		2.793
Sep 1929 		2.831
Sep 1929 		2.869
Sep 1929 		4.001 4.184 4.688 6.333
70 Years
Worst Period (from) 		2.792
Sep 1929 		2.804
Sep 1929 		2.815
Sep 1929 		2.827
Sep 1929 		2.838
Sep 1929 		3.829 4.354 5.263 7.002
Legend:
SWR 100% Success
95% Success
90% Success
PWR 100% Capital Protection
75%
50% Protection
25%
Period: Dec 1973 - Nov 2023
Swipe left to see all data
PWR (%) - Perpetual Withdrawal Rate
SWR (%) - Safe Withdrawal Rate
Preserved Capital (Infl.Adj) 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) 		1.814
Apr 2000 		2.522
Apr 2000 		3.230
Apr 2000 		3.937
Apr 2000 		4.645
Apr 2000 		5.098 5.853 7.382 9.672
30 Years
Worst Period (from) 		4.655
Dec 1973 		4.868
Dec 1973 		5.080
Dec 1973 		5.292
Dec 1973 		5.505
Dec 1973 		6.685 7.084 7.706 8.544
Legend:
SWR 100% Success
95% Success
90% Success
PWR 100% Capital Protection
75%
50% Protection
25%
Simulations are calculated with actual returns of Warren Buffett Portfolio | Preserved capital and withdrawals are considered adjusted for inflation | Withdrawals happen monthly | Performances are calculated in USD dollars, considering reinvestment of dividends when applicable | Portfolio is rebalanced each month | Inflation is updated at October 2023

Withdrawals and Success Rate

If you had implemented a specific Withdrawal Strategy with the Warren Buffett Portfolio, 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 - Nov 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
100.00
100.00
100% Succ.
2.958%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.869%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.838%
3.00 %
100.00
100.00
100% Succ.
3.237%
100.00
100% Succ.
3.084%
99.92
99.82
99.80
3.50 %
100.00
100% Succ.
3.787%
99.86
99.63
95% Succ.
3.923%
98.71
95% Succ.
3.714%
99.01
95% Succ.
3.936%
98.80
95% Succ.
3.873%
4.00 %
99.87
97.29
95% Succ.
4.242%
93.51
90% Succ.
4.209%
89.32
80% Succ.
4.317%
93.82
90% Succ.
4.114%
92.37
90% Succ.
4.074%
4.50 %
99.25
95% Succ.
4.958%
91.73
90% Succ.
4.621%
82.30
80% Succ.
4.597%
76.62
81.63
80% Succ.
4.603%
82.03
80% Succ.
4.600%
5.00 %
94.36
90% Succ.
5.358%
81.91
80% Succ.
5.117%
72.86
65.70
69.18
71.18
5.50 %
88.22
74.05
63.42
53.88
50% Succ.
5.694%
55.73
50% Succ.
5.750%
58.23
50% Succ.
5.839%
6.00 %
80.89
80% Succ.
6.060%
67.68
54.06
50% Succ.
6.201%
43.28
44.53
47.39
6.50 %
74.37
60.91
44.32
36.41
38.35
40.16
7.00 %
70.43
51.90
50% Succ.
7.121%
38.20
30.99
32.71
34.94
7.50 %
64.72
44.92
32.82
26.46
27.60
28.51
8.00 %
58.96
38.89
27.73
19.98
16.85
16.87
Period: Dec 1923 - Nov 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
100.00
100.00
100% Succ.
2.958%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.869%
100.00
100% Succ.
2.838%
3.00 %
100.00
100.00
100% Succ.
3.237%
100.00
100% Succ.
3.084%
99.83
99.58
99.45
3.50 %
100.00
100% Succ.
3.787%
99.76
99.31
95% Succ.
3.733%
97.34
95% Succ.
3.544%
97.71
96.68
95% Succ.
3.829%
4.00 %
99.79
95.24
95% Succ.
4.019%
89.60
80% Succ.
4.475%
84.03
80% Succ.
4.144%
95.01
95% Succ.
4.001%
93.91
90% Succ.
4.354%
4.50 %
98.75
95% Succ.
4.799%
87.87
80% Succ.
4.962%
79.33
71.21
83.78
80% Succ.
4.688%
87.53
5.00 %
90.63
90% Succ.
5.021%
79.67
71.29
60.57
72.35
82.27
80% Succ.
5.263%
5.50 %
83.25
80% Succ.
5.853%
73.72
62.69
52.75
50% Succ.
5.737%
63.83
77.01
6.00 %
78.56
68.13
58.11
50% Succ.
6.447%
45.92
54.05
50% Succ.
6.333%
67.87
6.50 %
73.36
63.50
49.51
39.60
47.82
59.28
7.00 %
69.41
57.19
43.41
34.28
40.54
50.14
50% Succ.
7.002%
7.50 %
63.06
51.25
50% Succ.
7.620%
37.86
27.79
32.64
39.89
8.00 %
57.86
44.71
30.79
21.46
22.87
28.25
Period: Dec 1973 - Nov 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
100.00
4.50 %
100.00
100% Succ.
4.645%
100.00
5.00 %
96.12
95% Succ.
5.098%
100.00
5.50 %
92.80
90% Succ.
5.853%
100.00
100% Succ.
5.505%
6.00 %
89.20
97.93
6.50 %
84.76
97.10
95% Succ.
6.685%
7.00 %
81.72
80% Succ.
7.382%
90.46
90% Succ.
7.084%
7.50 %
77.56
83.40
80% Succ.
7.706%
8.00 %
71.19
71.37
Simulations are calculated with actual returns of Warren Buffett Portfolio | Preserved capital and withdrawals are considered adjusted for inflation | Withdrawals happen monthly | Performances are calculated in USD dollars, considering reinvestment of dividends when applicable | Portfolio is rebalanced each month | Inflation is updated at October 2023

Related Pages

For the Warren Buffett Portfolio, 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