How Much Money Will You Actually Spend in Retirement?
Planning for retirement can be daunting. After all, there are myriad variables to consider – the kind of post-work lifestyle you would like to maintain, the cost of living where you retire to, ongoing inflation, whether you will be collecting Social Security (and, if so, how much), among others – that are not only difficult to calculate, but difficult to even estimate accurately.
In a Wall Street Journal report, two Duke University professors – of behavioral economics and behavioral science – organized a study where they invited “hundreds of people – of different age groups, income levels, and professions – to [their] research lab and asked them how much of their salary they thought they would need in retirement.” Most participants pegged the amount at 70%, but not because they sat down to parse the numbers, but “because they recalled hearing it at some point...and they simply regurgitated it on demand.”
To calculate an actual (not perceived) figure, the professors, Dan Ariely and Aline Holzwarth, “took another group of participants, and asked them specific questions about how they wanted to spend their time in retirement,” then used the data to “[attach] reasonable numbers to their preferences and computed what percentage of their salary they would actually need to support the kind of lifestyle they imagined.” The actual percentage – 130% – almost doubled the conventional wisdom. While initially surprising, the figure makes sense: besides generating income, work is “a very cheap activity” by virtue of employer-covered expenses, like food and drink. Retirement, however, is perpetual free time – and countless opportunities to spend money that would not have been spent while in the workforce.
Ariely and Holzwarth then partnered with fintech company MoneyComb to devise a better way to determine retirement spending. They came up with “seven spending categories: eating out, digital services, recharge, travel, entertainment and shopping, and basic needs” to guide the process, then recommended “[imagining] that every day was the weekend” when estimating spending in each. As a baseline, they suggest visualizing a year in retirement spent “[living]…in the best way you can imagine” – making sure to clarify this “doesn’t necessarily mean ‘more expensive.’” Once each category is calculated and totaled, the number can be multiplied by years of expected retirement – usually around 20 – to determine a savings goal.
By examining each category realistically, future retirees can develop a true picture of their ideal post-retirement life, then develop a roadmap to make it happen. Whether this necessitates lifestyle adjustments in the present, a recalibration of idealized expectations, or a rejiggering of an investment portfolio, thinking about retirement in this way can make that retirement goal obtainable rather than a future casualty of poor planning.
Looking for Fresh Investment Ideas? See How Algorithms and A.I. Can Help
Want to invest and/or diversify your portfolio but unsure where to start? Artificial Intelligence can help! Tickeron has developed user friendly Artificial Intelligence tools to help new and experienced investors generate investment ideas. Tickeron’s A.I. is capable of evaluating a portfolio and providing a “Diversification Score,” to tell the user how well-diversified their portfolio is. It can also generate investment ideas for a user’s 401(k) plan – even if you’re just getting started! The A.I. will give you ideas based on your risk tolerance, investment objectives, and the investment options available.
Tickeron’s new financial website is available to beginners, intermediate investors, and even experts and advisors. Explore tickeron.com today.
SPY's RSI Indicator peaks and leaves overbought zone
The 10-day RSI Oscillator for SPY moved out of overbought territory on May 15, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. Traders may want to look at selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 instances where the indicator moved out of the overbought zone. In of the 47 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move down at .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for SPY turned negative on May 18, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 55 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In of the 55 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where SPY declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
SPY broke above its upper Bollinger Band on May 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The 10-day moving average for SPY crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on April 15, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where SPY advanced for three days, in of 365 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 432 cases where SPY Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
Notable companies
Industry description
Market Cap
High and low price notable news
Volume
Fundamental Analysis Ratings
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
Advertisement
General Information
Category LargeBlend
Advertisement