Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTChristy BieberMon, June 22, 2026 at 10:30 PM GMT+2 5 min readThe average age of retirement in the U.S. is 65 for men and 63 for women, according to the Center for Retirement Research (1). Of course, some hope to retire earlier, but doing so requires saving and investing aggressively throughout your career to ensure you’re financially prepared.Retirement is also a major milestone. Even people who have planned carefully, prepared diligently and appear ready on paper can feel nervous about taking the leap.Must ReadRobert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Surprised? Here’s where their money is actually goingJeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — here are 5 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being oneTake Angela and Matt, for example. The couple set a goal of retiring early and even created countdown timers on their phones to track the days and hours until retirement. Angela plans to retire at 59 and Matt at 60.They maintain a spreadsheet tracking their investments, and by every measure, it shows they’ll definitely be ready when they reach those milestone ages. That day is about a year away. Still, they’re nervous about whether they’ll really be prepared when the big moment comes.So, how can Angela and Matt determine whether they’re ready to hand in their notice when the countdown reaches zero?Set a clear goal early and keep tabs on itIf early retirement is on your radar, it’s not something you can start planning for just a year or two before your target date.“You should start looking at your plan at least five to 10 years prior to your expected retirement age,” Domenick D’Andrea (2), founder of DanDarah Wealth Management, told Moneywise.D’Andrea recommended reviewing your proposed retirement budget, debt obligations, any major expenses you expect during retirement and investment strategies that align with your risk tolerance.Based on your expected spending and anticipated investment returns, you can determine how large your nest egg needs to be. You’ll also need to factor in expenses such as health insurance premiums, since you won’t qualify for Medicare until age 65, as well as the possibility that you may not claim Social Security right away and may have to live on savings alone.Angela and Matt’s countdown timers are a good approach because they help keep the couple on track. They know exactly how much time they have left to hit their savings goal, which helps keep them motivated.Terms and Privacy PolicyPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info