Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a minimum distribution rate and an investment allocation among individual investments of different types, including income generating investments that may be counter-balanced by principal protection investments, according to predefined ratios, determining a distribution amount based upon a performance level of individual investments and the minimum distribution rate, and determining at least a portion of individual investments to liquidate to fund the distribution amount. The minimum distribution rate is greater than a predefined percentage of a current value of the investment per year and is maintained at a level at least equal to a highest level of all prior years. The present invention further provides distribution types that allow selection of a distribution method that best suits an investor's requirements. The distribution type selection provides methods for determining the amount of a distribution for a given period and how the distribution is to be funded.