[sillysaurusx]

I’m not sure I understand. Is it really true that you can’t extract 4% cash money per year off of a million dollars, even in a down market, without shrinking the principal?

$100k should be enough to live comfortably off of in the Midwest.

[ZephyrBlu]

I'm confused by your question. If you take 4% of the principal and the market does not return at least 4%, your principle has shrunk. This does not account for inflation either.

The Trinity study that the 4% rule comes from is based on having some assets left after 30 years, not the original principle being intact.

Trinity study: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_study