How much do I need to retire at 45?

A 50-year retirement starting at 45 is not a 30-year 4% problem. This page sizes the number at 3.5% and checks a worked example from age 36.

The answer on these inputs

$80,000 a year at 3.5% needs $2,285,714 at age 45. Starting from $420,000 and adding $42,000 a year at 5.0% real, the portfolio at 45 is $1,114,674 — short by $1,171,041. Across 1,000 seeded paths, that projected nest egg funds the spend for 50 years in 3% of worlds.

Change the inputs

Current age

Retire age

Already invested ($)

Annual saving ($)

Annual spending (today's $)

Withdrawal rate (%)

Real return (%)

Number at retirement$2,285,714

Projected nest egg$1,114,674

Years of saving to the number18.6 years

1,000-path success3%

Why this age is different

The 4% rule was a 30-year result. Retiring at 45 with a plan to 95 is a 50-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 45?

Divide the annual spend you want by a withdrawal rate that fits a 55-year horizon — often lower than 4% — then see whether today’s savings plus contributions reach that number by age 45.

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