How much do I need to retire at 55?

A 40-year retirement starting at 55 is not a 30-year 4% problem. This page sizes the number at 4.0% and checks a worked example from age 45.

The answer on these inputs

$90,000 a year at 4.0% needs $2,250,000 at age 55. Starting from $900,000 and adding $35,000 a year at 5.0% real, the portfolio at 55 is $1,906,231 — short by $343,769. Across 1,000 seeded paths, that projected nest egg funds the spend for 40 years in 23% of worlds.

Change the inputs

Current age

Retire age

Already invested ($)

Annual saving ($)

Annual spending (today's $)

Withdrawal rate (%)

Real return (%)

Number at retirement$2,250,000

Projected nest egg$1,906,231

Years of saving to the number12.5 years

1,000-path success23%

Why this age is different

The 4% rule was a 30-year result. Retiring at 55 with a plan to 95 is a 40-year problem. That is why the default rate here is 4.0%, not 4% borrowed from a shorter window. Sibling pages for the other ages:

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire at 55?

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

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