Starting investing at 55: what’s realistic?

At 55, time is tight. Your plan needs realistic targets, conservative assumptions, and flexible options.

Use a conservative-first plan

Start with conservative return assumptions and a realistic retirement age. Then test what changes if you delay retirement a few years.

If full retirement isn’t realistic quickly, model a lower income goal and supplement with part-time work or other income sources.

Use Retirement to estimate your target portfolio from an income goal, then use Start Late? to estimate monthly contributions to reach that target.

Is 55 too late to invest?

Not necessarily, but expectations must be realistic. Your timeline is shorter, so contributions matter more.

What if I can’t reach my target?

Adjust the target, extend the timeline, or plan a mixed strategy (partial retirement).

Should I use a higher return rate to make it work?

Be careful. Overly optimistic rates can create a false sense of security. Start conservative.

How can I reduce the required monthly amount?

Delay retirement, lower spending, increase contributions, or combine with other income sources.

What’s the simplest next step?

Run a conservative plan in Start Late, then compare with one slightly more optimistic scenario.