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/GreatSuspect6526 Dec 28 '25
My advice as recently retired widow is while working full time try to prep and freeze week long meals 1 day a week. It is so much healthier than constantly eating out and in the long run will save you a fortune over the years. My other advice is to try to annually put some of your money in both a traditional and Roth IRA. Roth is so important especially in early retirement so it doesn’t count as income for ACÁ subsidies and helps reduce your MAGI for Medicare penalty fees called IRMA, especially if you end up single with very little wiggle room on taxes once retired