We Have Four Million Dollars and Ten Years Until Retirement… Will We Ever Need to Dip In?

It is a curious pattern in human behavior. We trade our time, energy, and even our long-term health for money, yet once we finally accumulate it, many of us do everything possible to avoid spending it. People often cling to their savings long past the point when that money could meaningfully improve their quality of life. Behavioral economists note that this reluctance is rooted in loss aversion, the tendency to fear losing money more than we enjoy gaining it. Research also shows that wealthier individuals often become even more cautious with their spending, choosing preservation over enjoyment or generosity. Psychologists suggest that once people grow accustomed to watching their accounts rise, the idea of seeing those balances drop can trigger anxiety, leading to choices that do not always align with their actual needs or desires. Greed is one explanation, but fear, habit, and a desire for control also play powerful roles in these surprisingly irrational decisions.

Against that backdrop, one person online has built a remarkably strong retirement plan, with four million dollars in savings, an amount far greater than the lifetime savings of most households. Even so, they found themselves questioning whether that sum was truly enough and how they could avoid tapping into it once they stop working. This mindset is more common than many realize. People who accumulate substantial wealth often fear disrupting the systems and habits that helped them build it, worrying that spending even small amounts will jeopardize their long-term security. Seeking reassurance, the poster brought their concerns to the r/fatFIRE community, a group dedicated to achieving early retirement supported by significant financial resources. Members of this community frequently discuss strategies for maintaining and growing wealth, navigating taxes, and balancing long-term financial independence with the desire to enjoy life along the way.

As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that the poster was not alone in their concerns. Many people within high net worth circles wrestle with the question of how much is enough and how to balance emotional comfort with financial reality. The responses offered a mix of perspectives on spending, saving, and the psychology of wealth, underscoring just how personal retirement planning can be.

Remember that everything you read online, including this article and comments in the original thread, reflects personal viewpoints rather than universal truths. Financial decisions should always be made with guidance from a qualified professional who can evaluate your specific situation and goals.

The Question

Going through family finances.

The author of the post explains that he and his wife are aiming to retire within the next eight to ten years. He shares that he is a retired military veteran who currently receives about four thousand dollars per month in disability payments. Rather than spending that income, he directs the full amount into long-term investments. On top of this, both he and his wife continue to earn regular income from their jobs, allowing them to save even more each month.

Based on his projections, the couple expects to receive roughly seven to eight thousand dollars per month in pension income once they officially retire. With that level of guaranteed income, he believes they will be able to comfortably cover their living expenses without touching their sizable investment portfolio, which currently sits somewhere between three million and four million dollars. In his view, this puts them in a strong financial position, since their nest egg can remain untouched and continue compounding over time.

He turns to the community with a few questions. First, he wonders whether there are other military veterans who find themselves in a similar situation, although he does not fully explain why this comparison matters to him. He also asks if others have multiple income streams lined up for retirement, such as pensions, disability benefits, brokerage accounts, or rental income. His goal seems to be understanding how others structure their retirement plans and whether his approach aligns with what financially secure retirees typically do.

The Community Response

Retirement finances.

Most of the responses the author received were congratulatory, largely because he did not seem to be asking a question that required real guidance. Many commenters pointed out that he already appears to be in an exceptionally strong financial position and has little reason to worry. Some people reassured him that he has more than enough money to retire comfortably, while others chimed in with a more extreme opinion, suggesting that a retirement fund of at least ten million dollars is the ideal target. Exactly how they arrived at that figure, or why it would be considered the perfect amount, was never fully explained.

Overall, the general consensus was clear. For someone earning a military salary, the author has accumulated far more than what would typically be expected, and his financial situation already places him in a highly secure position. With two reliable pension streams adding monthly income during retirement, his need to draw from his three to four million dollar nest egg will be minimal. In fact, several commenters noted that he and his wife may never come close to spending the full amount during their lifetimes if they maintain reasonable living expenses and continue investing wisely.

Many people online have a tendency to humble brag about their financial status, especially when things are going well. It is common to disguise this kind of boasting as a question or a plea for advice. Yet when it comes to planning for retirement, the core calculation does not need to be complicated. Determine how much you expect to spend each year, then multiply that by the number of years you plan to be retired. The result is the amount you should aim for. Everything beyond that is additional comfort, security, or legacy, but not strictly necessary for a stable retirement.

Why Some Investors Get Rich While Others Struggle

The fact is there are two totally different investment paths you can take right now. And while either can make you some money, choosing the right one at the right time can mean the difference between just getting by and getting truly rich. Most people don’t even realize the difference, and that mistake can be devastating for your portfolio. Whether you’re investing $1,000, or $1,000,000 today, learn the difference and put yourself on the right path. See the report.