How much money do I need to retire early?
Guide · By Kevin Lan · Updated September 2026
How much you need to retire early is your annual spending divided by your safe withdrawal rate — roughly 25 times your yearly expenses at a 4% rate. Your target age changes how fast you have to get there, and can change the rate you should use.
The number, then the age
The amount you need to retire early is your annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate — about 25× your yearly spending at a 4% rate. That target comes from your spending, not your age. Spend $50,000 a year and the figure is about $1,250,000 whether you leave at 45 or 60. What your age changes is the runway: fewer years to reach the number, and a longer retirement to fund once you do.
Why a longer retirement can raise the number
The 4% rule was tested on 30-year retirements. Retire at 50 and you may need the money to last 40+ years, where many researchers prefer a more cautious withdrawal rate — around 3.5%. A lower rate means a larger multiple: at 3.5%, your number is closer to 28× expenses (about $1,430,000 on $50,000 of spending) instead of 25×. So retiring earlier can raise the target on two fronts — less time to save, and a bigger number to save toward.
Retire at 50, 55, or 60 — an example
On $50,000 of annual spending: at a standard 4% rate the target is about $1.25M; leaning to 3.5% for a 40-year horizon pushes it toward $1.43M. Retiring at 60 fits the classic 30-year, 4% assumption most cleanly; at 50, plan for the longer horizon and the lower rate. In every case the formula is the same — only the spending target and the rate move.
What sets your date
Three levers decide when you get there: how much you have invested now, how much you add each year, and your expected real return. Lower spending shrinks the target itself. The calculator below solves for the exact age your investments reach your number, and the app counts down to that date on your home screen.
FIRE calculator
Runs in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire at 55?
Your FIRE number is your annual spending divided by your safe withdrawal rate. At 4% that's about 25× expenses — roughly $1,250,000 on $50,000 a year. Because a retirement starting at 55 may run 35–40 years, a more cautious 3.5% rate (about 28× expenses) is often used, which raises the number.
Does retiring earlier mean I need more money?
Often, yes — for two reasons. You have fewer years to save, and a longer retirement argues for a lower safe withdrawal rate, which raises the multiple of expenses you need. The spending target itself doesn't change with age; the rate and the timeline do.
How is the retirement number calculated?
Annual retirement expenses ÷ safe withdrawal rate. At a 4% rate that equals your yearly spending × 25. Enter a tax-inclusive spending figure, since withdrawals cover taxes too.
Related guides
Find your date, then count down to it
See your number free above, then put the countdown on your iPhone home screen.