How much do I need to retire at 40?

A 55-year retirement starting at 40 is not a 30-year 4% problem. This page sizes the number at 3.5% and checks a worked example from age 32.

The answer on these inputs

$75,000 a year at 3.5% needs $2,142,857 at age 40. Starting from $280,000 and adding $48,000 a year at 5.0% real, the portfolio at 40 is $872,045 — short by $1,270,812. Across 1,000 seeded paths, that projected nest egg funds the spend for 55 years in 0% of worlds.

Change the inputs

Current age

Retire age

Already invested ($)

Annual saving ($)

Annual spending (today's $)

Withdrawal rate (%)

Real return (%)

Number at retirement$2,142,857

Projected nest egg$872,045

Years of saving to the number18.8 years

1,000-path success0%

Why this age is different

The 4% rule was a 30-year result. Retiring at 40 with a plan to 95 is a 55-year problem. That is why the default rate here is 3.5%, not 4% borrowed from a shorter window. Sibling pages for the other ages:

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire at 40?

Divide the annual spend you want by a withdrawal rate that fits a 60-year horizon — often lower than 4% — then see whether today’s savings plus contributions reach that number by age 40.

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