Summary
The strategy increases withdrawals if the portfolio balance exceeds a certain threshold. This is defined as multiples of the initial nominal balance.
Description
The Ratcheting strategy was first described by financial planner Michael Kitces. It is a dynamic spending method that focuses on allowing increases in withdrawals if the portfolio performs particularly well. The retiree starts out with a given withdrawal rate but increases it by X% (over and above the inflation adjustment) if the portfolio value exceeds Y% of the original value. To prevent overspending during periods of exceptional market performance, you can stipulate that spending increases only occur during a specific amount of time.
Example
Let's assume a retiree starts with a portfolio of £1,000,000, withdrawing £40,000 annually. By the fourth year, the portfolio has grown to £1.52m, and the withdrawal is now £44,000 due to inflation adjustments.
Because the portfolio is now over 150% of the initial balance, the withdrawal is ratcheted up by 5% to £46,200. By the sixth year, the portfolio balance has grown to £1.6m. However, on this occasion, the withdrawal is not increased because the second condition for the ratcheting rule is not met, i.e. spending increases can only take place once every three years at most.