Short Answer

The amount you need to retire depends less on a single number and more on your spending needs, income sources, tax efficiency, and lifestyle goals. Retirement planning focuses on sustainable income, not just portfolio size.

Why “The Retirement Number” Is Misleading

Two people with the same portfolio can experience very different retirements depending on:

• Taxes

• Withdrawal strategy

• Healthcare costs

• Social Security timing

• Market conditions

Key Factors That Determine Your Retirement Readiness

• Monthly spending needs (essential vs discretionary)

• Guaranteed income (Social Security, pensions)

• Investment income sustainability

• Inflation protection

• Longevity planning

A More Helpful Question to Ask

“How much reliable income can my plan produce, and for how long?”

How Sentient Financial Approaches Retirement Planning

We build retirement plans around cash flow, tax efficiency, and flexibility, not arbitrary savings targets—so clients can make confident decisions even when markets change.

Disclosure: This content is for educational purposes only and is not individualized investment advice.