Wondering if you really have enough to retire? In this early retirement planning episode, I break down 6 levels of retirement wealth—from Survival to Fulfillment—so you can see which level you’re at and what it takes to move up.

Too many people only ask, “Do I have enough to retire?” when the better question is, “Enough for what level of retirement?” In this episode, I walk through my framework of Survival, Stability, Comfort, Security, Freedom, and Fulfillment Wealth so you can stress-test your plan, avoid white-knuckle retirement, and aim for a life that actually feels secure, free, and meaningful. We’ll also look at a real-world example couple who wants about $75,000/year in retirement spending and how different portfolio sizes can land them at very different levels.

You’ll learn:

• Why “just covering the bills” can trap you in Survival or Stability Wealth


• What Comfort Wealth feels like—and why it can still be fragile


• Why I see Security Wealth (Level 4) as a strong target before you retire


• How Freedom and Fulfillment Wealth shift your focus from “Can we afford this?” to “Does this fit the life we want?”


• How your withdrawal rate, cash buffer, debt, housing, and health insurance all affect your level


• How to use this framework as a targeting system, not a report card

I’ll also share why, for many people, retiring a bit earlier at Level 4 with more healthy years can be more valuable than grinding your way to Level 6 but having less time and energy to enjoy it.

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👉 Free Resources Mentioned:

• ✅ 12 Must-Do Steps to Retire Sooner and Smarter (Checklist)
  
  A simple, practical roadmap to help you get retirement-ready faster.
  
  🔗 Download it here 


• ✅ Free MAGI & Tax Estimator Spreadsheet (for ACA + taxes)
  
  Estimate your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), keep an eye on ACA subsidy eligibility, and get a rough tax estimate as you go through the year.
  
  🔗 Get the spreadsheet here 

 📺 When you're not on the go, check out my Early Retirement Roadmap YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@EarlyRetirementRoadmap?sub_confirmation=1

🌐 More from me:

All my videos, podcast episodes, and freebies: https://mikeupland.com

💼 My Favorite Retirement Planning Tool! If you’re serious about planning for retirement, you’ve got to check out Boldin. It’s a powerful tool that helps you map out your financial future—whether you’re a DIY planner or just want to stress-test your retirement strategy.

👉 Try Boldin here: https://go.boldin.com/earlyretirementroadmap

Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to go on the paid plan after a free 2-week trial, or you can remain on the free plan, but I highly recommend the paid plan to use all its robust features! I personally use it for my retirement planning and love it! This link doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps to support the content I create. Thank you!

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal experience and research. It is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making major retirement or financial decisions. I am not responsible for any loss or damages resulting from reliance on this information.