Find Your Work Optional Number
Stop chasing a number. Start building a plan to make work optional.
What This Means
Your retirement number isn’t the starting point—it’s the result of a process.
Before worrying about account balances, it’s important to understand what your lifestyle costs and how much of that will be covered by other income sources.
From there, we can determine what your portfolio needs to do and stress test the plan against different market environments.
A good retirement plan isn’t built around a guess.
It’s built around a framework that helps answer one question:
When does work become optional?
This is one of the most important videos in our library because it’s an exercise everyone should go through before making investment decisions. After all, it’s hard to build a portfolio when you don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish.
This video breaks down a simple, repeatable process that you can apply to your own situation. It’s not a complete financial plan, but it is a practical starting point for determining your goalposts and understanding what you’re working toward.
Common Questions
What is a “work optional” number?
A work optional number is the amount of liquid assets you need to support your lifestyle after accounting for fixed income sources such as Social Security, pensions, or other reliable income streams.
It’s the point where you can stop working if you choose—or continue working because you love what you do, not because you have to.
At that point, you’ve achieved complete financial freedom. Work becomes a choice, and you’re able to make decisions on your terms.
How do I calculate my work optional number?
Start by understanding your annual living expenses. If you’re not sure where to begin, download our Work Optional Expense Worksheet to help organize your spending and establish a starting point.
How do I know if my plan is realistic?
Once you’ve identified your work optional number, the next step is stress testing the plan. This helps evaluate how it may perform under different market conditions, spending levels, and life events. The goal isn’t to create a perfect plan—it’s to build one that can withstand imperfect conditions.
Free Resource:
Work Optional Expense Worksheet
Not sure what your lifestyle actually costs?
This is the same worksheet we use with clients to help estimate living expenses and begin calculating a work optional number.
Remember This:
Tthe goal isn’t the biggest account balance. The goal is making work optional.