Plan your retirement, secure your freedom
Retirement planning is not about age — it is about financial independence. Whether you want to retire at 45 or 65, the math is the same. Start now, regardless of your age.
How Much Do You Need to Retire?
The formula is simple: Annual expenses × 25 = your retirement number. This is based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate from the Trinity Study.
| Annual Spending | Retirement Number | Monthly Income (4%) | With EU State Pension* |
|---|---|---|---|
| €20,000 | €500,000 | €1,667 | ~€300,000 needed |
| €30,000 | €750,000 | €2,500 | ~€450,000 needed |
| €40,000 | €1,000,000 | €3,333 | ~€600,000 needed |
| €50,000 | €1,250,000 | €4,167 | ~€750,000 needed |
| €60,000 | €1,500,000 | €5,000 | ~€900,000 needed |
*Estimated reduction assuming average EU state pension of €800-1,000/month.
Retirement Planning by Age Group
In your 20s: Start small, start now
Even €50-100/month matters enormously. At 7% annual return, €100/month from age 25 becomes €264,000 by 65. The same €100 starting at 35 becomes only €122,000. Starting early is the biggest edge.
In your 30s: Maximize contributions
Peak earning growth years. Target saving 20-30% of income. Diversify portfolio across global ETFs. Consider tax-advantaged accounts (PPR in Portugal, Riester in Germany, ISA in UK).
In your 40s: Catch up if behind
Not too late — you still have 20-25 years. Focus on increasing income. Reduce unnecessary expenses aggressively. Start gradually shifting from 100% stocks toward a 70/30 stock-bond split.
In your 50s: Fine-tune and protect
Calculate your exact number. Review state pension entitlements. Consider part-time work transition. Shift to 60/40 stocks-bonds. Build a 2-year cash buffer for market downturns.
The FIRE Movement — Retire Decades Early
FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) means saving 50-70% of your income to reach 25× expenses faster:
| Savings Rate | Years to Retire | Monthly Savings (€3K income) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 51 years | €300 |
| 20% | 37 years | €600 |
| 30% | 28 years | €900 |
| 50% | 17 years | €1,500 |
| 70% | 8.5 years | €2,100 |
LeanFIRE
Under €40K/year expenses. Achievable fastest but requires frugality and flexibility.
FatFIRE
€80K+ expenses. Takes longer but comfortable lifestyle with no sacrifice.
The 4% Rule Explained
The 4% rule from the Trinity Study: withdraw 4% of your initial portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each year. With a 60/40 stock/bond portfolio, this survived 96% of all 30-year periods in history.
🛡️ Conservative Adjustments
For longer retirements (40+ years), use 3.5%. For flexibility, reduce withdrawals by 10% in years when markets are down. In Europe, state pensions and public healthcare reduce your withdrawal needs significantly.
Tools & Calculators
Compound interest, FIRE, DCA, budget planner, and 20+ free calculators to plan your financial future.
Guides & Playbooks
From your first investment to early retirement — complete, actionable guides for every financial goal.
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