You Have Enough Money to Retire — But Do You Have Enough Money to Stay Retired?

A retirement plan needs more than a healthy account balance because inflation, taxes, market downturns, healthcare costs, and unexpected expenses can affect how long savings last – Shutterstock

A retirement account can reach a number that looks wonderfully reassuring, yet that number does not guarantee a retirement that lasts. Having enough money to retire means having enough resources to leave work; having enough money to stay retired means making those resources support a life that could last for decades.

That distinction matters because retirement changes the job your money needs to perform. Instead of building wealth while paychecks cover most household expenses, your portfolio, Social Security, pensions, cash reserves, and other income sources may need to fund everything from groceries and utilities to roof repairs and the occasional expense that arrives with the subtlety of a marching band.