A 65-year-old retiree with $1 million who follows the standard 4% rule withdraws $40,000 in the first year, then increases that amount over time to keep pace with inflation. A dividend-focused alternative starts slightly lower, at about $38,000 in annual income from a 3.8% blended yield, but does not require selling shares. Over 20 years, ... The Dividend Strategy That Beats the 4% Rule by $400,000 Over 20 Years on a $1 Million Portfolio