The $1.46 Million Quest: How to Reach Your ‘Magic Number’ for Retirement

Retirement is getting more expensive—here’s how to aim for $1.46 million without falling behind.

Retirement is getting more expensive. fizkes/Shutterstock

Traditionally, the “million-dollar nest egg” has been the gold standard of retirement planning in the United States. This used to be your “made it” figure. But the 2026 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study says the goalposts have moved.

Currently, $1.46 million is the magic number for a comfortable retirement.