1. A method comprises: determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN), wherein the set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a pillar width of “n”, a decode threshold of “k”, and an encoding ratio of n−k>k and wherein the retrieval threshold is in accordance with the encoding ratio; issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices; receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices; and when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold, decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data.