How much do I need to retire?
There is no single magic number for how much you need to retire — it depends on the lifestyle you want, how long you need the money to last, and how much guaranteed income (like the State Pension) you’ll receive. Have I Enough? works it out from your own figures instead of a one-size-fits-all rule.
A useful starting point is the 4% rule: if you can safely draw about 4% of your pot in the first year, you need roughly 25 times your annual spending. Subtract the State Pension and any other income first — for £30,000 of spending with an £11,000 State Pension, your own savings need to provide £19,000 a year, or around £475,000.
But rules of thumb ignore your actual timeline, tax and market risk. The planner projects every year of your retirement, includes your State Pension from the right age, and stress-tests the plan across many market outcomes — so you can see the pot size that genuinely says “enough”, not just a rough multiple.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire in the UK?
There is no single number — it depends on the lifestyle you want and how long you need the money to last. A widely used guide is 25 times your annual spending (the flip side of the 4% rule), reduced by any State Pension and other income. The planner works it out from your own figures instead of a rule of thumb.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule is a rough guide that says you can withdraw about 4% of your pot in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year, with a good chance of the money lasting 30 years. It’s a starting point, not a guarantee — the stress test in the planner shows how a plan holds up across many market outcomes.
How big a pension pot do I need?
Work backwards from your spending. If you want £30,000 a year and expect £11,000 from the State Pension, you need your pots to provide the remaining £19,000 — around £475,000 using the 4% guide. Enter your own targets and the planner sizes the pot for you.
Does the State Pension count towards how much I need?
Yes. The State Pension is a guaranteed inflation-linked income for life, so it directly reduces the amount your private savings need to provide. The planner includes it from your State Pension age when it works out whether you have enough.