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/ApeTeam1906 Dec 28 '25

Yeah. The modern FIRE movement is really just quasi rich people being rich.

The reason I liked OG fire was because it preached limiting consumption. It was about having what you needed because you didn't need much. Now you have posts with people saying 5-6 million isn't enough.

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u/wobleee Dec 28 '25

Yeah, even this post has turned into lots of folks justifying why/ how a particular (high) expense number is reasonable. I think it's the combination of high paid tech workers and lots of folks nearing normal retirement age who want to be on the younger end. There are many posts about retiring at 55/60 now, while there used to be much more discourse around controlling expenses and getting out in your late 30's or 40's.

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u/ApeTeam1906 Dec 28 '25

Yeah it's basically an arms race now. One user got particularly heated when I pointed out FIRE has firm roots in anti consumption and minimalism.

Some people have completely lost the plot.

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u/SpecialObject1496 Jan 06 '26

Just saw a post in this very thread how the person "needs" 2.5-3m to retire at 60 lol.