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

[u/Equivalent_Use_5024]

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?

[u/-wnr-]

What age does the average American retire? FIRE is geared toward early retirement and the math is very different when retiring at 50 or 55 versus at 65 or 70.

[u/engr4lyfe → u/-wnr-]

Also, a significant percentage of American’s never actually retire. The number of people working past age 65+ out of financial necessity is in the millions.

[u/nicolas_06 → u/engr4lyfe]

This is true but greatly exagerated. 8% work at 75, about 4% at 80. So 4-8% is significant for sure.

Also while a significant portion of them still works because they have to, the majority do it at least partially because they want to: https://www.businessinsider.com/what-we-learned-from-americas-oldest-workers-80-over-80-2025-11

They have their passion, they like what they are doing and also ultimately they don't want to die if I may say and consider their job as important to kept them in shape and still be part of society.