The 4% rule has been one of the most widely used frameworks in retirement planning—but is it still valid today?

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Bengen, the creator of the 4% rule, to discuss how retirement strategies have evolved and what high-income professionals should be thinking about now.

We cover his latest book, A Richer Retirement, along with his current recommendations on safe withdrawal rates, portfolio construction, and how different asset classes can impact retirement income.

We also address common misconceptions about the 4% rule, answer audience questions, and explore what actually leads to a successful—and happy—retirement.

If you're a physician, dentist, or high-income professional planning for retirement, this conversation will help you better understand how much you can safely spend—and how to think about risk, flexibility, and long-term planning.

Today's episode is brought to us by SoFi, the folks who help you get your money right. Paying off student debt quickly and getting your finances back on track isn't easy, but that's where SoFi can help — they have exclusive, low rates designed to help medical residents refinance student loans—and that could end up saving you thousands of dollars, helping you get out of student debt sooner. SoFi also offers the ability to lower your payments to just $100 a month* while you're still in residency. And if you're already out of residency, SoFi's got you covered there too.

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The White Coat Investor Podcast launched in January 2017, and since then, millions have downloaded it. Join your fellow physicians and other high income professionals and subscribe today! Host, Dr. Jim Dahle, is a practicing emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor blog. Like the blog, The White Coat Investor Podcast is dedicated to educating medical students, residents, physicians, dentists, and similar high-income professionals about personal finance and building wealth, so they can ultimately be their own financial advisor-or at least know enough to not get ripped off by a financial advisor. We tackle the hard topics like the best ways to pay off student loans, how to create your own personal financial plan, retirement planning, how to save money, investing in real estate, side hustles, and how everyone can be a millionaire by living WCI principles.

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In this episode of the Milestones to Millionaire series, we meet a physician who recently completed fellowship and, together with their spouse—a nurse—has already reached an impressive $500,000 net worth early in their careers.

They share how they built wealth during medical training, the financial strategies that helped them reach the half-million milestone, and the lessons they learned along the way.

We also discuss how couples with different healthcare careers can coordinate their financial planning, maintain a strong savings rate, and build a solid foundation for long-term financial independence.

This podcast is sponsored by Bob Bhayani at Protuity. He is an independent provider of disability insurance planning solutions to the medical community in every state and a long-time white coat investor sponsor. He specializes in working with residents and fellows early in their careers to set up sound financial and insurance strategies. If you need to review your disability insurance coverage or to get this critical insurance in place, contact Bob at https://whitecoatinvestor.com/protuity today by email info@protuity.com or by calling (973) 771-9100.

Celebrating your stories of success along the journey to financial freedom! Tune in every Monday to the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast, where we celebrate the financial achievements of our listeners and share practical tips for reaching your own milestones. We want to celebrate your milestones—no matter how big or small—and help inspire others to follow your lead. Every week, these episodes feature one listener who has recently achieved a milestone they are proud of and want to celebrate, and they give any advice they have for those who want to follow their example. Make sure to listen every Monday to be inspired by your fellow white coat investors.

Celebrate YOUR Milestone on the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast: https://whitecoatinvestor.com/milestones

Website: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com
YouTube: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube
Student Loan Advice: https://studentloanadvice.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhitecoatinvestor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor
Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor
Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com
Newsletter: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter

00:00 $500K Net Worth Right After Training
02:11 Half-Million Net Worth After Training
10:56 Lessons From Reaching the $500K Milestone
16:45 Mutual Funds Explained

529 plans are one of the most popular ways for families to save for education—but many parents still have questions about how much to contribute and what those funds can actually be used for.

In this episode of the White Coat Investor Podcast, Dr. Jim Dahle answers several listener questions about 529 education savings plans, including how much parents might consider saving for a newborn child and how to think about long-term education funding goals.

We also discuss the concept of "Trump accounts" (530A accounts) and what these proposed or new account types are intended to do.

Finally, we explore whether 529 funds can be used for continuing education expenses such as CME, and how the rules around qualified education expenses actually work.

Understanding the details of education savings accounts can help physicians and other high-income professionals plan more effectively for their children's education while staying tax-efficient.

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The White Coat Investor Podcast launched in January 2017, and since then, millions have downloaded it. Join your fellow physicians and other high income professionals and subscribe today! Host, Dr. Jim Dahle, is a practicing emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor blog. Like the blog, The White Coat Investor Podcast is dedicated to educating medical students, residents, physicians, dentists, and similar high-income professionals about personal finance and building wealth, so they can ultimately be their own financial advisor-or at least know enough to not get ripped off by a financial advisor. We tackle the hard topics like the best ways to pay off student loans, how to create your own personal financial plan, retirement planning, how to save money, investing in real estate, side hustles, and how everyone can be a millionaire by living WCI principles.

Website: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com
YouTube: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube
Student Loan Advice: https://studentloanadvice.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhitecoatinvestor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor
Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor
Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com
Newsletter: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter

00:00 WCI Podcast #463
05:10 How Much Should You Put in a 529 for a Newborn?
35:22 What Are 530A "Trump Accounts"?
57:05 Can You Use a 529 for CME or Continuing Education?