How much money do you actually need to retire comfortably?

Zachary Mineur, CFA, CFP® in MarketWatch | April 2026

Four in 10 Americans say “how much money will I need to retire comfortably?” is their top question about retirement planning in 2026. The answer starts with asking the right questions.

Zachary Mineur was featured in MarketWatch offering a list of practical questions for anyone trying to build a retirement plan that actually reflects their life:

“What are your goals during retirement? Do you want to travel regularly, or do you expect to stay near home? Do you live in an area where floods or wildfires are common? Have you planned for insurance increases? What is your mix of pretax vs. post-tax assets? Do you have kids that you would like to support with weddings and home purchases? Are there medical issues in your family history that could lead to a long stay in a memory care or assisted living facility? Do you have charitable goals? Would you like to leave assets to your children and grandchildren after you pass?”

The right retirement number looks different for everyone. The right questions are where the plan begins.

Learn more about Zachary Mineur, CFA, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer of Independence Square Advisors, and subscribe to his quarterly market newsletter on LinkedIn.