A 3.7% starting safe withdrawal percentage might seem dispiriting; after all, it’s even lower than the 4.0% that would have been supported in even the worst 30-year periods in market history.

Retirement withdrawal rates can be a tough nut to crack, but the right level of flexibility can help set retirees up for success. For more from our research and how it’s evolved over the years ...

Recent research found that avoidant crafting is often preventive—aimed at preserving resources and preventing burnout—while escape behaviors are primarily defensive and withdrawal-oriented.