A low-power programmable low-drop-out voltage regulator system and methods are presented. The regulator includes a local reference generator circuit that receives a voltage input signal and outputs a reference voltage signal, a buffer circuit that receives the reference voltage signal and outputs an output voltage signal, and a comparison device. The comparison device receives and compares the output voltage signal and an accurate reference voltage signal and outputs an adjustment signal to adjust the output voltage signal in the direction of a value of the accurate reference voltage signal. The regulator can include an attenuator circuit to attenuate the reference voltage signal. The output voltage signal can be regulated or programmed by adjusting the gain of the buffer circuit and/or the attenuator circuit. Current consumption can also be programmed by turning on or off one or more amplifier tiers located in the buffer circuit.