By Jason Ashley, August 2025
It’s one of the most common questions we hear: “How much do I need to retire?”
The honest answer? There isn’t a single number that works for everyone. Retirement isn’t about hitting a magic figure. It’s about knowing what you want life to look like — and building the financial plan to support it.
The Myth of “The Number”
You’ve probably seen headlines claiming that you need £500,000, £1 million, or even more to retire comfortably. While rules of thumb make for good copy, they rarely fit real lives.
The truth is that two families with the same pension balance could have completely different retirements, depending on:
Lifestyle goals – Do you dream of frequent travel, or would you be happiest close to home?
Family commitments – Are you supporting children through university, or planning to help grandchildren onto the property ladder?
Other resources – State pension, property wealth, business interests, and investments all play a role.
A Better Question: “What Does Enough Look Like for Me?”
Instead of aiming for a universal target, the more useful approach is to define what “enough” means for you. That starts with:
Clarity on spending needs – covering essentials, comforts, and luxuries.
Time horizon – how long your resources may need to last, considering longer lifespans.
Flexibility – whether your plan can adapt if markets wobble, costs rise, or priorities shift.
At Oak Four, we use detailed cash-flow modelling to bring these moving parts together. It helps clients see not just if they can retire, but when, and under what circumstances they might adjust.
Why Planning Beats Guesswork
Without a clear plan, people often default to two extremes:
Over-saving and under-living – delaying experiences they could comfortably afford.
Under-saving and over-spending – leaving themselves exposed later on.
Both rob you of peace of mind. The right planning shows you where you stand today and how decisions affect tomorrow. That way, you don’t need to rely on guesswork — you can live with confidence.
Living Rich, Not Die Rich
At Oak Four, we believe money should power life, not overshadow it. Retirement isn’t about a finish line. It’s about creating options: when to stop, when to scale back, when to try something new.
So when you ask, “How much is enough to retire?” the real answer is: enough to live the life you want, for as long as you want, without fear of running out.
Next Steps
If you’d like to know what “enough” looks like for you, we’d be delighted to explore it together. With the right plan, you can make the most of today — while safeguarding tomorrow.
Book a conversation with the Oak Four team.