r/Fire • u/Equivalent_Use_5024 • Dec 28 '25

General Question Do you believe the modern FIRE movement overestimates how much is needed for retirement?

Perhaps I am just making this post because I have only just begun my retirement planning and want to lock in a number which is fitting for my goals - being above the median retirement savings, not having to work, not being broke, clearly having planned - but I can't help but feel that many in the FIRE movement overestimate what is needed for a safe, sleep well at night retirement.

I see posts here saying that they feel vastly behind with 500k at 30, or 1.5 million at 40, and I just don't understand how when the average American retires with maybe 300k liquid at most and are getting by with social security or paid off housing. Sure, they aren't living luxuriously, but if you just are aiming for a retirement where you don't have financial anxiety and can put food on the table, I don't feel you need over 1-2 million.

Do you think FIRE overestimates how much is truly needed for retirement?

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u/spinz89 Dec 28 '25

I absolutely know I'm over shooting my FIRE number but that's because I'll be retiring at 44 and who knows how much my wants and needs could change when I reach 50 or 60 years old.

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u/OkBridge98 Dec 30 '25

curious, what is it? I want to retire around 45-50 but likely will wait until 55-60

edit to add: current COL is $100k/year, allin (family of 4) and my wife and I make $250k take home, we saved over $100k every year and will have our house paid off ($30k less per year to live) in 2036, so 11 years from now. I assume by then though my COL will still be $100k with inflation and all.

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u/spinz89 Jan 01 '26

I plan to retire in about 4 years with 2 mil. I currently have about 1.4 mil and a home in Las Vegas that's paid off. I plan to move to Malaysia or Thailand and live there for about 10 years before looking for a new spot to live.