Retirement by Age: How Much Do You Need?
The savings number depends on when you stop working — Medicare access, Social Security timing, account withdrawal rules, and how long the portfolio must last all shift by age. Compare seven milestone guides with free calculators.
Four levers that change the number
Healthcare gap
Every year before Medicare at 65 is a self-funded healthcare year. ACA subsidies depend on household MAGI — Roth conversions and withdrawals can help or hurt premium tax credits.
Social Security timing
Claim age permanently changes lifetime benefits. Early retirement pages must bridge years with zero Social Security; later pages trade portfolio size against delayed credits to 70.
Account access & taxes
Tax-deferred accounts face 59½ rules (with Rule of 55 and SEPP exceptions). Withdrawal order and Roth conversions often matter more than the headline portfolio balance.
Planning horizon
Retiring at 50 models ~45 years to age 95; at 70, ~25 years. Longer horizons justify lower starting withdrawal rates — the calculator adjusts by age.
There is no universal savings target. Retiring at 55 means a decade of pre-Medicare healthcare; at 62 you can claim Social Security but at a permanently reduced benefit; at 67, Full Retirement Age removes early-filing penalties for those born 1960 or later. Each guide below includes a free calculator, age-specific FAQs, and a path to a full tax-aware Praxion plan with Monte Carlo simulation.
Side-by-side comparison
Illustrative starting withdrawal rates match the calculator model — not personalized advice.
| Retire at | Pre-Medicare gap | Social Security | Modeled SWR | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 50 | 15 years | Age 62 (12-yr gap) | ~3.0% | Longest bridge; 59½ penalty window |
| Age 55 | 10 years | Age 62 (7-yr gap) | ~3.3% | Rule of 55 may help one 401(k) |
| Age 60 | 5 years | Age 62 (2-yr gap) | ~3.5% | Social Security at 62 vs 67 is pivotal |
| Age 62 | 3 years | Same year (~70% PIA) | ~3.5% | Early Social Security + earnings test |
| Age 65 | None at 65 | Reduced if before FRA | ~4.0% | Classic 30-year horizon |
| Age 67 | None | 100% PIA at claim | ~4.0% | Delay to 70 optional |
| Age 70 | None | 124% PIA (max) | ~4.2% | RMDs within 3–5 years |
Why the number changes by age
Pick the guide closest to your target stop-work age. Each page explains what is different at that milestone, when the math tends to work, industry benchmark context, and a calculator pre-filled with a reference scenario.
Choose your retirement age
Related guides
- Am I on Track to Retire? — broader age 50–65 benchmarks and self-assessment
- When Is a Good Time to Retire? — timing readiness vs savings amount
- Early Retirement Roth Conversion Windows — for ages 50–60 retirees
- FIRE Calculator — variable early-retirement age, FIRE number, stress scenarios
- Retirement Calculator With Pension — pension + Social Security + portfolio stacking
- Best Retirement Calculators (2026) — which planning tool fits your question
Run your full plan
Free QuickStart models tax-aware withdrawals, Monte Carlo success, and Roth conversions on your numbers.
Praxion Finance is a decision-support tool, not a registered investment adviser.