How Much Do I Need to Retire UK? Age 55, 60, 65 Guide
Retiring at 55 nearly doubles the pot you need versus retiring at 65. Same income, same lifestyle. The decade between them is more expensive than anyone tells you up front.
UK retirement pot by age (single person, £30k/year target)
| Retire at | Bridge years | Withdrawal rate | Pot needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 12 years to State Pension | 3.5% | £900,000 |
| 60 | 7 years to State Pension | 3.8% | £780,000 |
| 65 | 2 years to State Pension | 4.0% | £450,000 |
Assumes full new State Pension (£12,548/yr) from 67. PLSA Moderate is £31,300/yr.
Key takeaways
For a £30k/year retirement, expect to need roughly £900k at age 55, £780k at 60, or £450k at 65 (single person, no DB pension).
The earlier you retire, the bigger the pot, because you have more years before the State Pension and a longer horizon to fund.
The full new State Pension in 2026/27 is £241.30/week, around £12,548/year, payable from age 66 (rising to 67 from 2026 to 2028).
The PLSA Retirement Living Standards put a "Moderate" single retirement at £31,300/year and "Comfortable" at £43,100/year.