Current allocation to cash

How do you know if current allocation to cash is sufficient or not? Does it need to fully cover required return (before factoring in inflation)?

For example, Required return = 6% + 2% inflation = 8%.

Would 5% allocation to cash equivalent be sufficient in this case?

Should be liquidity requirement divided by asset base.

Event though liquidity requirement / asset base = 6% in this example, I felt allocation to cash equivalence of 5% is sufficient, because there will also be equity in the portfolio. Are you saving minimum allocation to cash equivalence much be at least 6% in this case?

If the requirement is really short-term, say within a year, then yes you will need that 6% otherwise you won’t be able to cover your expenses if you have no financial flexibility. Drawing down on equity in say a crisis is a really bad move since 1. you’re selling at a low price reducing future return potential and 2. liquidity may not be in favor of sellers.

On a longer time horizon rounding to 5% should be fine (in my opinion).

Just out of curiousity, did you see a past CFAI question which asked for cash allocation percentage?