Finding Your “Enough” Number to Retire
On a warm Saturday morning in Lakewood Ranch, Mike and Susan finally took a break from their hectic workweek. At 52 and 50, with two kids finishing college, they were closer to retirement than they liked to admit. Over coffee on the lanai, Susan asked the question that’s been buzzing around so many American households lately:
“Do we even know what our ‘enough number’ is?”
It wasn’t the first time the topic came up. They’d read the headlines: according to USA TODAY reporting on Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 survey, Americans now believe they need about $1.46 million to retire comfortably, a figure that slipped slightly to $1.26 million in 2025 as inflation eased and markets stabilized. That big round number sounded imposing, but also oddly disconnected from their real lives 【USA Today】.
Mike laughed. “So, if we hit that number, we’re good? Do we pack up our desks and sail into the sunset?”
The truth, as they would learn, is both simpler and more personal.
A Rule of Thumb… and Then Some
Like many couples, Mike and Susan found reassurance in rules of thumb. Fidelity’s well-known yardstick suggests you should aim to have about 10× your income saved by age 67—with smaller checkpoints like 1× by 30, 3× by 40, and 6× by 50. On paper, they weren’t far behind. But even as they nodded at the math, they knew their life wasn’t a formula.
Susan pulled up a recent article citing Morningstar’s research. Some research has examined various withdrawal approaches used historically over long periods. “That means if we saved $2 million, we could pull about $74,000 in the first year,” she said. “Not bad, but does that really cover everything—especially healthcare?”
Mike frowned. They’d watched the Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, which made one thing clear: longevity is stretching, and people are living vibrant lives into their 90s. Planning for 20 years might not be enough.
Grounding the Math in Real Life
That afternoon, they decided to sketch their own retirement budget—not a fantasy lump sum, but an actual spending plan.
They listed housing costs (they love their Sarasota home and don’t plan to downsize), healthcare premiums, travel (they dream of annual European trips), and regular gifts for their kids. And, of course, Mike made sure to include one non-negotiable line item: his season tickets to the Sarasota Paradise soccer club. “Some things,” he said with a grin, “are just not up for debate.”
After penciling in Social Security benefits and a modest pension Mike had from an old job, they saw they’d need their portfolio to cover roughly $85,000 a year.
At a 3.7% withdrawal rate, that implied a portfolio target of about $2.3 million. They had a ways to go, but the exercise made the number real. It wasn’t some national average or survey headline. It was theirs.
Watching Out for Hidden Drains
They also remembered a PBS FRONTLINE documentary, The Retirement Gamble, which exposed how fees—tiny-seeming percentages—eat away at nest eggs. Looking at their 401(k) statements, they realized they still had legacy funds with expense ratios north of 1%. “That’s like paying a leak you don’t even see,” Mike said.
And here’s the distinction they came to appreciate: fees themselves aren’t the enemy. Costs should be transparent and tied to value—help with tax planning, coordinating accounts across jobs, or big-picture financial advice that actually moves the needle. What they wanted to avoid were silent, embedded expenses that drained returns without delivering any planning or outcome-driven guidance in return.
By consolidating into lower-cost options and keeping the dollars they do spend pointed toward advice, tax strategy, and overall coordination, Mike and Susan found they could stretch their money further—without sacrificing lifestyle.
Turning Worry Into a Plan
By Sunday evening, the couple felt something they hadn’t felt in months: clarity. Their plan didn’t demand hitting a universal $1.46 million target, nor did it guarantee a smooth ride. But they had three concrete takeaways:
- Lifestyle drives the number. It wasn’t about a lump sum. It was about funding their lifestyle, after accounting for Social Security and pensions.
- Flexibility is survival. They’d start with a conservative withdrawal rate, then adjust annually depending on markets, health, and spending surprises.
- Long life requires margin. Planning to 95 gave them confidence. Anything less would have left them vulnerable.
“Maybe our enough number isn’t just a dollar figure,” Susan mused. “Maybe it’s good knowing we can handle what life throws at us.”
Bringing It Back to the Suncoast
The conversation isn’t unique to Mike and Susan. Sarasota-Manatee families face the same blend of optimism and anxiety. Rising life expectancies, inflation, market swings, and healthcare costs mean that one-size-fits-all numbers don’t work. USA TODAY surveys and financial documentaries provide a backdrop, but the real answer always begins at your kitchen table with a pencil, a budget, and an honest conversation about lifestyle.
For Mike and Susan, “enough” became more than a number—it became a plan. And thanks to that plan, Mike can look forward to cheering Sarasota Paradise from the stands for years to come.
Sources:
- USA TODAY coverage of Northwestern Mutual’s “magic number” survey on retirement savings needs (2024–2025).
- Fidelity retirement savings benchmarks.
- Morningstar research on safe withdrawal rates.
- Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.
- PBS FRONTLINE documentary The Retirement Gamble.
Evan R. Guido, Senior Wealth Advisor offering securities through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, is the Founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2018 Forbes Top Next-Gen Advisors award recipient. Evan heads a team of financial strategists for clients who consider themselves the “Millionaire Next Door.” He can be reached at 941-500-5122 Aksala.com eguido@aksalawealth.com 6260 Lake Osprey Dr. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. The views and opinions presented in this article are those of Evan R. Guido and not of Cetera or its subsidiaries. These opinions are based on Evan’s observations and research and are not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment. These views are subject to change based on subsequent developments. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. These views should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any securities and purely for education and entertainment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Cetera Wealth Services, LLC exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. The Top Next Gen list includes 250 rising advisors who help manage over $490 billion in client assets. Each advisor was nominated by their firm, then vetted and ranked by SHOOK Research. The rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors who are considered have a minimum of four years’ experience and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass the highest standards of best practices. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Fores nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Lising in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party or award. These examples are hypothetical only, and do not represent the actual performance of any particular investments. Investments in securities do not offer a fixed rate of return. Principal, yield and/or share price will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and when sold or redeemed, you may receive more or less than originally invested.