Blog & Insights

The 7 Biggest Retirement Mistakes People Don’t Realize They’re Making

Retirement isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Some people dream of quiet mornings gardening, others of globetrotting adventures. Whatever your vision, a few sneaky mistakes can derail even the best-laid plans. The good news? Most of them are easy to spot — and even easier to fix once you know what to look for.

Here are seven common pitfalls and how to sidestep them.

How Much Do I Really Need to Retire? (Spoiler: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All)

Ah, the million-dollar question. Literally. “How much money do I actually need to retire?”

Here’s the thing: there isn’t a magic number. Retirement isn’t like ordering a combo meal where everyone gets the same fries and drink.

It’s more like building your own sandwich—you decide how big, how fancy, and how many extras you want.

The good news? You don’t need to be a millionaire to retire comfortably. What you need is a plan, some smart habits, and a realistic view of what your lifestyle will look like when you’re not working.

Let’s walk through the essentials—using the 4% rule and a few country-specific examples from the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.