How Much Do You Actually Need to Retire Abroad: The Number

Published on: June 29, 2026

Every aspiring expat retiree eventually asks the same question: what's the number? How much do I actually need before I can leave the office for good and live by the sea? The honest answer is that it's a calculation, not a magic figure, and the single biggest variable is one you control: how much you spend. Retiring abroad can shrink that number dramatically, which is exactly why it's so appealing. Here's how the math really works in 2026.

Start with the spending, not the savings

Your number is driven by your annual spending in retirement, not by some headline "you need