How much do I need to retire at 50?

A 45-year retirement starting at 50 is not a 30-year 4% problem. This page sizes the number at 3.7% and checks a worked example from age 40.

The answer on these inputs

$85,000 a year at 3.7% needs $2,297,297 at age 50. Starting from $650,000 and adding $40,000 a year at 5.0% real, the portfolio at 50 is $1,561,897 — short by $735,400. Across 1,000 seeded paths, that projected nest egg funds the spend for 45 years in 10% of worlds.

Change the inputs

Current age

Retire age

Already invested ($)

Annual saving ($)

Annual spending (today's $)

Withdrawal rate (%)

Real return (%)

Number at retirement$2,297,297

Projected nest egg$1,561,897

Years of saving to the number15.6 years

1,000-path success10%

Why this age is different

The 4% rule was a 30-year result. Retiring at 50 with a plan to 95 is a 45-year problem. That is why the default rate here is 3.7%, not 4% borrowed from a shorter window. Sibling pages for the other ages:

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire at 50?

Divide the annual spend you want by a withdrawal rate that fits a 50-year horizon — often lower than 4% — then see whether today’s savings plus contributions reach that number by age 50.

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