Free, in-depth guides on the three-bucket strategy, withdrawal rates, sequence-of-returns risk, and tax-efficient income — written for people who want to understand the math, not just follow rules.
These guides explain the theory. The calculator puts it into practice with your real numbers — portfolio CSV import, 1,000-run Monte Carlo simulation, 50+ years of historical backtesting, and gap-phase modeling.
The three-bucket framework is the foundation of everything on this site. Start with the pillar guide, then explore the supporting topics.
The definitive guide: Harold Evensky's 1985 origin story, how the three buckets work, the five replenishment rules, the Kitces critique (and rebuttal), and a step-by-step framework for building your own plan.
Why two retirees with identical average returns end up with completely different outcomes — and exactly how the bucket strategy eliminates this asymmetry.
The 1994 Bengen study, the Trinity Study update, and what current research actually says about sustainable withdrawal rates.
Every major topic in self-directed retirement planning — the mechanics, the math, and the decisions that matter most.
History, mechanics, replenishment rules, and the academic debate you need to understand before using it.
Why the order of your returns matters far more than the average — with real historical examples from 2000 and 2008.
The Bengen study, the Trinity Study, modern revisions, and what rate is actually sustainable for your timeline.
What running 1,000 simulations actually tells you — and why 90% confidence is not the same as 90% likely to succeed.
How to sequence withdrawals across account types to minimize IRMAA, RMDs, and Social Security taxation.
The gap phase is the highest-risk window of retirement. How to size Bucket 1, access funds penalty-free, and optimize Social Security.
Kitces showed both strategies produce nearly identical financial outcomes. Here is what that actually means — and which approach fits your situation.
The rules of thumb, the counterintuitive Pfau-Kitces rising equity glidepath research, and how to set the right stock-bond mix for each retirement phase.
Jump to the area most relevant to where you are in the retirement planning process.
The guides here explain the theory. The BucketWealth calculator puts it into practice — with your real numbers, your portfolio, and 50+ years of historical backtesting.