THE BENJAMIN EDIT · START WITH YOUR NUMBERS
How much would you need to stop working because you have to?
“I don’t want to work forever.” Okay, girl. But have you put a number to it?
Maybe you love your work. You just want the freedom to choose how much of your life it takes up. Before we talk about accounts, products, or strategies, let’s get a little clearer about what you’re working toward.
Find your starting number ↓A few simple questions. No email required.
YOUR FIN, SIMPLIFIED
Give the goal
a starting point.
Your Financial Independence Number, or FIN, gives a dollar amount to the income you imagine needing in retirement.
We’re starting with a basic illustration: your monthly income goal, multiplied by 12, multiplied by the years you want to plan for.
This adds up a flat income goal across your chosen years. It is not a personalized savings target or a prediction of how long your money will last.
YOUR STARTING ESTIMATE
Here’s your number.
This is the total of your flat monthly income goal over the retirement period you chose. It does not mean you must save this entire amount yourself.
What this estimate leaves out
Inflation, taxes, investment returns and fees, existing savings, Social Security, pensions, and other income. Your needs can change, and you may live beyond the age you selected. This illustration is not a guarantee or a recommendation about how much to invest or withdraw.
If the number feels big, pause. You’re looking at many years of income at once. You don’t have to turn that number into a plan on your own.
When we talk, we can look at what you’ve already saved, income you may have in retirement, and what your life actually costs. That helps us put this starting estimate in context and explore steps that fit your budget and timeline.
Help me make sense of my number ↗LET’S WALK THROUGH IT
A little math. A clearer picture.
Say your goal is $5,000 a month, and you’re exploring retirement at 65 through age 85. That’s 20 years.
$5,000 × 12 months × 20 years = $1,200,000
That number is a conversation starter. A fuller plan would look at changing expenses, inflation, taxes, what you already have, and income from sources such as Social Security or a pension.
You don’t have to figure it all out today. Start by writing down your monthly goal and why it matters to you. More time with family? A different pace? The ability to say yes to something you care about?
That’s the life behind the number.
Want to explore other retirement planning factors? See the U.S. Department of Labor’s Savings Fitness guide ↗.
LET’S PUT YOUR NUMBER IN CONTEXT
A big number needs a real-life conversation.
Maybe you’re looking at your estimate thinking, “Mercy, how am I supposed to get there?” That’s a fair question. This calculator gives you a starting point. A conversation helps us understand what that number means for you.
We can walk through what you already have, the retirement income you may be able to count on, and the lifestyle you want to plan for. We can also explore how your timeline and monthly budget affect your options.
The goal is to make your next steps feel more manageable and grounded in your life. A fuller review may move your estimate up or down. It can also help you see where to focus first.
You don’t need perfect numbers to begin. Bring your questions, and we’ll start there.
You’ve seen the number.
Let’s talk about your next step.
A personal financial review can help turn a broad estimate into a clearer picture of your goals, resources, and options.
Talk through my number with Mercy ↗