A major asset manager just dropped some concerning projections about stock market returns, and it's got implications for anyone banking on the traditional retirement withdrawal strategy.

You know the classic 4% rule? That guideline suggesting retirees can safely withdraw 4% of their portfolio annually? Well, it might be getting shakier. The new forecasts are pointing toward lower-than-historical equity returns over the next decade, which could put pressure on that comfortable withdrawal rate people have relied on for years.

Here's the thing: the 4% rule was built on historical market performance. But if we're heading into a period of subdued returns—think single-digit annual gains instead of the robust double-digit stretches we've seen before—that math starts falling apart. Retirees might need to either cut back on withdrawals or rethink their asset allocation entirely.

This isn't just about stocks, either. It raises bigger questions about how we're diversifying portfolios in an era of shifting economic realities. Maybe it's time to look beyond traditional equities and consider alternative assets that aren't as tightly correlated with legacy markets. Food for thought.