Is Warren Buffett's 90/10 rule good?

Asked by: Benny Ward  |  Last update: September 20, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (24 votes)

Warren Buffett's 90/10 rule—investing 90% of assets in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and 10% in short-term government bonds—is a highly effective, simple, and low-cost strategy for long-term growth and beating active management. It is best suited for patient, long-term investors or those with significant assets who can withstand high stock market volatility.

Is a 90/10 portfolio good?

90/10 imo is a very reasonable portfolio over a period of over 10 years. Typically the portfolio wouldn't be advisable for the average person lacking any investment knowledge.

Why does Warren Buffett suggest the 90/10 rule?

Buffett argues that stocks will continue to provide higher returns over the long run than bonds or cash. Invest the remaining 10% in short-term government bonds such as U.S. Treasury bills. This ensures liquidity (your ability to buy or sell with relative ease) while reducing your overall risk in market downturns.

Is 90/10 aggressive?

Generally, the 90/10 allocation is considered aggressive and is not suitable for conservative investors. Conservative investors typically prioritize capital preservation over potential growth and may find the strategy too risky or volatile.

Is the 90/10 rule real?

The rule is relatively simple, advocating for splitting your portfolio, placing 90% of your assets into a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and the remaining 10% into short-term government bonds. The rule was first mentioned by Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the best-known investors in the world.

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17 related questions found

Can I live off the interest of $900000?

With $900,000 saved, and factoring in an average annual rate of return between 10–12%, you'll have between $90,000 and $108,000 to live off of each year, not including your Social Security benefits.

Is 10x a 1000% return?

Yes, a 10x return means your investment grew to 10 times its original value, which is a 900% profit (gain) or a total value of 1000% of the original, but it's often loosely called a 1000% return by some, though technically it's a 900% gain (the final value is 1100%). A 10x return means you get your initial investment back plus 9 times that amount in profit (e.g., $1 becomes $10, a $9 profit).

Who owns 88% of the stock market?

A 2019 study by Harvard Business Review found either Vanguard, BlackRock or State Street is the largest listed owner of 88% of S&P 500 companies. There is a perception that a few select companies own a vast majority of the stock market.

What did Elon Musk say about Warren Buffett?

A year later, when he was named Time's Person of the Year, Musk doubled down, saying, "I'm not Warren Buffett's biggest fan, frankly," as quoted in the report. The Tesla CEO described, his work, saying, "He sits there and reads all these annual reports, which are super boring." Musk added, "Does anybody want that job?

What is Warren Buffett's #1 rule?

Warren Buffett's #1 rule of investing is famously simple and stark: "Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.". This principle emphasizes capital preservation and avoiding significant losses, suggesting that protecting your principal is more crucial for long-term wealth building than chasing high, risky returns. It means focusing on buying good businesses at fair prices, understanding what you invest in, and being disciplined to prevent large, permanent losses, even if it means missing out on some fast gains. 

How often should you rebalance with the 90/10 rule?

Less time is needed. It doesn't get much simpler than 90/10. Rebalance quarterly or even annually, and you're good to go. No need to spend a lot of time considering different investments.

How many people own 90% of stocks?

The wealthiest 10% of Americans own like 90% of stocks, and the top 1% own 50%. While the poorest 50% of the population own about 1% of the stock market. So "publicly" traded (the term public ownership can be confusing because it can also mean state control) just means it's open for the elite to invest in.

Who made $8 million in 24 year old stock trader?

The "24-year-old trader making $8 million" refers primarily to Jack Kellogg, a successful day trader who reported over $8 million in gains from trading in 2020 and 2021, starting with just $7,500 and leveraging key indicators like VWAP, support/resistance, volume, and linear regression for simple, adaptable strategies. His story highlights achieving significant returns by weathering different market conditions, learning from losses, and sticking to core principles rather than overcomplicating things.
 

Is the 90/10 rule good for retirement?

In his article for the Journal of Retirement, titled "Global Asset Allocation in Retirement: Buffett's Advice and a Simple Twist," Estrada argues that a 90/10 (stock/bond) allocation has a low failure rate, good downside protection, and high upside potential — a winning combination.

What is the Buffett's golden rule?

Warren Buffett's core golden rule for investing is famously stated as: "Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.". This emphasizes capital preservation and avoiding excessive risk, while also encouraging a focus on long-term value, investing in understandable businesses, and maintaining emotional discipline. 

Is a 200% gain a 2x?

A 200% increase means that it increased by 200% of the original, so you have the original 1x and the increase of 2x for a total of 3x. “A 200% increase” is logically equivalent to “200% more”. Think about what it means for a number to “increase” or to be “more than” another number. How much is the “increase”?