09/02/2026
Retirement Math Made Easy (Without the Overwhelm)
If you’ve ever thought…
“I should probably check my pension… but I don’t even know where to start.”
This is for you.
Retirement planning isn’t complicated.
We just make it complicated.
Let’s break it down into 3 simple numbers.
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1️⃣ What do you want your life to cost each year?
Start with your target annual lifestyle number.
For example:
• Comfortable lifestyle: £40,000 per year
• More travel, freedom: £60,000 per year
Be honest. This is about your version of freedom.
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2️⃣ Multiply it by 25
This is the simple retirement rule of thumb (often linked to the 4% rule).
Annual income × 25 = Rough pension pot needed
Example:
• £40,000 × 25 = £1,000,000
• £60,000 × 25 = £1,500,000
That’s your ballpark number.
Not scary. Just maths.
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3️⃣ Subtract what you already have
Let’s say:
• Current pensions = £220,000
• Workplace pension growing monthly
• State pension (currently £11,500+ per year in the UK)
You’re not starting from zero.
Now the question becomes:
👉 How much do you need to invest monthly to close the gap?
That’s strategy. Not hope.
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Why this matters (especially in your 40s)
Most people:
• Earn well
• Contribute to pensions
• Assume it’ll “work itself out”
But retirement doesn’t respond to assumptions.
It responds to numbers.
When you know your number:
• You stop guessing
• You stop underinvesting
• You stop overworking out of fear
You build intentionally.
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Quick exercise
Tonight, ask yourself:
“If work became optional at 60… what would I want my life to look like?”
Then do the maths.
If you want help working out your number properly (and building a clear strategy to hit it), message me and we’ll talk through it.