Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In Boot Camp #7, Paul Merriman walks through one of the most important financial decisions a retiree will ever make — fixed vs. flexible distributions. If you've saved more than enough for retirement, this video could change everything about how you think about drawing down your portfolio.
What you'll learn:
The critical difference between fixed and flexible (variable) distributions
1. Why retiring with MORE than enough changes all the rules
2. How 3%, 4%, and 5% distribution rates affect your portfolio over 30+ years
3. The power of letting your distributions rise and fall with the market
4. Why Paul and his wife chose a 50/50 portfolio with 5% flexible distributions
5. How the worldwide 4-fund strategy compares to the S&P 500 over 30 years
6. The sequence of returns risk that can devastate a 100% equity portfolio at retirement
Key insight: When you take flexible distributions, you automatically take less out when markets are down — protecting your portfolio at exactly the right time. And when markets recover, you benefit from a larger base. That's the magic.
Whether you're 10 years from retirement or already there, this bootcamp will help you decide how much you need, how much to take out, and which portfolio gives you the best chance of never running out of money.
📊 View the Flexible Distribution Tables referenced in this video at paulmerriman.com
🎓 New to Boot Camp? Start here:
Boot Camp #1: Stocks vs. Bonds paulmerriman.com/stocks-and-bonds-2026
Boot Camp #2: Ultimate Buy & Hold Portfolio paulmerriman.com/ultimate-buy-and-hold-2026
Boot Camp #3: Sound Investing Portfolios paulmerriman.com/sound-investing-portfolios-2026
Boot Camp #4: Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocation paulmerriman.com/fine-tuning-your-asset-allocation-2026
Boot Camp #5: Fixed Contributions paulmerriman.com/fixed-contributions-2026
Boot Camp #6: Fixed Distributions paulmerriman.com/2026-fixed-distributions
Boot Camp #7 Flexible Distributions paulmerriman.com/flexible-distributions-2026
📧 Have a question for Paul? Email paul@paulmerriman.com
📬 Subscribe to Paul's free weekly newsletter at paulmerriman.com
🔔 Subscribe to this channel and never miss a Boot Camp
In Boot Camp #7, Paul Merriman walks through one of the most important financial decisions a retiree will ever make — fixed vs. flexible distributions. If you've saved more than enough for retirement, this video could change everything about how you think about drawing down your portfolio.
What you'll learn:
The critical difference between fixed and flexible (variable) distributions
1. Why retiring with MORE than enough changes all the rules
2. How 3%, 4%, and 5% distribution rates affect your portfolio over 30+ years
3. The power of letting your distributions rise and fall with the market
4. Why Paul and his wife chose a 50/50 portfolio with 5% flexible distributions
5. How the worldwide 4-fund strategy compares to the S&P 500 over 30 years
6. The sequence of returns risk that can devastate a 100% equity portfolio at retirement
Key insight: When you take flexible distributions, you automatically take less out when markets are down — protecting your portfolio at exactly the right time. And when markets recover, you benefit from a larger base. That's the magic.
Whether you're 10 years from retirement or already there, this bootcamp will help you decide how much you need, how much to take out, and which portfolio gives you the best chance of never running out of money.
📊 View the Flexible Distribution Tables referenced in this video at paulmerriman.com
🎓 New to Boot Camp? Start here:
Boot Camp #1: Stocks vs. Bonds paulmerriman.com/stocks-and-bonds-2026
Boot Camp #2: Ultimate Buy & Hold Portfolio paulmerriman.com/ultimate-buy-and-hold-2026
Boot Camp #3: Sound Investing Portfolios paulmerriman.com/sound-investing-portfolios-2026
Boot Camp #4: Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocation paulmerriman.com/fine-tuning-your-asset-allocation-2026
Boot Camp #5: Fixed Contributions paulmerriman.com/fixed-contributions-2026
Boot Camp #6: Fixed Distributions paulmerriman.com/2026-fixed-distributions
Boot Camp #7 Flexible Distributions paulmerriman.com/flexible-distributions-2026
📧 Have a question for Paul? Email paul@paulmerriman.com
📬 Subscribe to Paul's free weekly newsletter at paulmerriman.com
🔔 Subscribe to this channel and never miss a Boot Camp
