The 3 Buckets Strategy of Retirement Planning Explained | Money Guy (2024)

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Posted January 24, 2023

In this highlight, we explain the three bucket strategy and discuss how to build wealth using this strategy.

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The Three Bucket strategy is a popular financial planning method for those working towards financial independence. The strategy involves dividing your assets into three distinct "tax buckets": tax-deferred, tax-free, and after-tax. The goal is to have a diversified portfolio that allows you to control your tax situation in retirement, regardless of the tax policy or tax rates in place.The tax-deferred bucket includes accounts such as 401ks and IRAs, the tax-free bucket includes Roth accounts and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and the after-tax bucket includes investments that are not tax-incentivized but are taxed as you go through time and can be accessed at any point.By having these three distinct buckets, you can maximize the use of lower tax brackets, supplement your income from after-tax accounts, and pick and choose which accounts to use depending on your tax situation. This can lead to significant savings in taxes, especially in retirement when every dollar withdrawn from a pre-tax bucket becomes expensive due to ordinary income tax.It's worth noting that some financial advisors and experts consider the Three Bucket strategy as window dressing, however, it is a material thing, as taxes and fees are two of the most important things to pay attention to when building wealth.Furthermore, as you reach a higher income situation, the asset allocation becomes crucial as it can greatly affect the taxes you pay. For example, conservative investments such as bonds and cash pay out as ordinary income, taxed at your highest marginal rate, while index funds pay out dividends and capital gains, which are taxed at a more favorable rate.In conclusion, the Three Bucket strategy is a valuable financial planning method that allows you to control your tax situation in retirement and throughout the wealth-building journey. While it may not be for everyone, it's important to consider the taxes and fees you pay as a crucial factor in building wealth.To learn more about this topic, check out our show called, "How to Build Wealth With the 3 Bucket Strategy [By Age!]"

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The 3 Buckets Strategy of Retirement Planning Explained | Money Guy? ›

The tax-deferred bucket includes accounts such as 401ks and IRAs, the tax-free bucket includes Roth accounts and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and the after-tax bucket includes investments that are not tax-incentivized but are taxed as you go through time and can be accessed at any point.By having these three ...

What is the 3 bucket strategy money guy? ›

We like for you to build up three distinct tax buckets. I want you to have your tax-deferred bucket - that's like your 401ks and your IRAs. Then you have your tax-free bucket - that's like your Roth IRAs and your HSAs.

What are the three buckets of money for retirement? ›

The buckets are divided based on when you'll need the money: short-term, medium-term, and long-term. The short-term bucket has easily accessible money, the medium-term bucket has money in things that generate income, and the long-term bucket has money in things that grow over time.

What is the 3 bucket system in finance? ›

The 3 Bucket Strategy is a well-known financial planning method that categorizes assets into three separate 'buckets': short-term income needs, intermediate requirements and long-term necessities.

What is Bogleheads 3 bucket strategy? ›

Stripped to its simplest form, here's the premise of the Bucket Strategy™: You organize your investments into three main groupings, or "buckets" and take the majority of the risk in Bucket No. 3, largely with stocks and real estate.

What is the three bucket rule? ›

Divide your assets into buckets for the short, medium, and long term. Each bucket has a risk/reward profile to match the time horizon. Periodically weigh the contents of your buckets versus your upcoming needs and “pour” your money from bucket to bucket.

What is the three bucket theory? ›

Using this theory ~ Bucket 1 being things you control, Bucket 2 being things you influence, and Bucket 3 being things you neither influence nor control ~ listeners will learn how utilizing this theory helps you not only better manage your behavior, but also guides how you spend your time.

What is the 3 rule in retirement? ›

The 3% rule in retirement says you can withdraw 3% of your retirement savings a year and avoid running out of money. Historically, retirement planners recommended withdrawing 4% per year (the 4% rule). However, 3% is now considered a better target due to inflation, lower portfolio yields, and longer lifespans.

What is the bucket theory of retirement? ›

With the bucket approach, investors divide their retirement assets into separate buckets of assets based on periods of time. Those time horizons can be flexible as can be the number of buckets, but three is a common choice.

What are the 3 goals of retirement? ›

Some common retirement goals include: Set a retirement budget. Plan a milestone event. Prioritize wellness.

What are the 3 bucket method? ›

So the three-bucket wash system is simple. You use one bucket with clean water to rinse your mitt, and a second with the soap to use on your car. And then the third bucket for your wheels (normally black) That way, you're not simply transporting the dirt from your car to a bucket, and then reapplying it.

What is the reason for the three buckets model? ›

The three buckets model is a useful tool that supports you to identify potential for something to go wrong, enabling you to enhance safe practice. The potential for a clinical situation to become 'risky' is influenced by what the model calls 'the three buckets' - self, context and task.

What is the three bucket approach? ›

The retirement bucket strategy is an investment approach that segregates your sources of income into three buckets. Each of these buckets has a defined purpose based on the when the money is for: immediate (short-term), intermediate and long-term.

What is the Morningstar Bucket 3 strategy? ›

Bucket 3: The longest-term portion of the portfolio, Bucket 3 is dominated by stocks and more volatile bond types such as junk bonds. Because this portion of the portfolio is likely to deliver the best long-term performance, it will require periodic trimming to keep the total portfolio from becoming too equity-heavy.

What is the 3 fund strategy? ›

A 3 fund portfolio is a diversification approach whereby the investors put their money in a certain ratio in three different asset classes, i.e., domestic stocks, domestic bonds, and international stocks. It is a simple, low-cost investing approach that ensures retirement savings at a minimal risk appetite.

What is the bucket of money strategy? ›

First developed in 1985 by wealth manager Harold Evensky, the bucket strategy began as a simple “now versus later” approach to dividing investors' retirement savings into two segments: a cash bucket to meet five years of living expenses, and an investment bucket for longer term growth.

What is the buckets of money theory? ›

With the bucket approach, investors divide their retirement assets into separate buckets of assets based on periods of time. Those time horizons can be flexible as can be the number of buckets, but three is a common choice.

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