I Asked AI to Plan My Entire Retirement—Here’s What It Suggested (And How You Can Use It)

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming. Between bills, day-to-day expenses, and saving for the future, it’s easy to get lost in the details. To simplify things, we asked AI to create a retirement plan—and the results are surprisingly straightforward. Here’s what it suggested and how you can apply it.

Step 1: Know What You Want in Retirement

Before planning, it’s important to imagine what your retirement looks like. Do you want to travel, stay close to family, or simply live comfortably day-to-day? AI starts by estimating the type of lifestyle you want and the expenses that come with it.

Example:

• If you imagine a comfortable lifestyle with occasional travel, AI might suggest planning for around $4,000 per month in retirement expenses.
• If you want a more modest lifestyle without much travel, your expenses might be closer to $2,500 per month.

Tip: Think about your priorities and what makes you happy. This will guide how much you need to save.

Step 2: Figure Out How Much to Save

Once your goals are clear, AI calculates how much you should save each month. It considers your current savings and how many years you have until retirement.

Example:

• If you’re 30 years old and have $10,000 saved, AI might suggest saving around $500 per month to reach a moderate retirement goal.
• If you’re 45 years old with $50,000 saved, you might need to save closer to $1,500 per month to reach the same goal.

The principle is simple: the earlier you start saving, the easier it is to reach your goals, even with smaller monthly contributions.

Tip: Use a monthly budget calculator to plug in your own numbers—it will show how much you need to save each month in a clear way.

Step 3: Invest Wisely

AI recommends investing to help your money grow over time. The idea is to balance growth with safety. As you get closer to retirement, it’s smart to shift toward safer investments.

Example:

• A young saver might put 70% in stocks and 30% in bonds for growth.
• Someone nearing retirement might shift to 50% bonds and 50% stocks to protect their savings.

Tip: Spreading your money across different types of investments—called diversification—reduces risk and can help your money grow steadily.

Step 4: Keep Track and Adjust

Life is unpredictable, so your retirement plan should be flexible. AI suggests reviewing your plan regularly to ensure you’re still on track.

Example:

• If you get a raise, you could increase your monthly savings slightly.
• If unexpected expenses come up, you can adjust your plan without derailing your retirement goals.

Tip: Checking your progress every year helps prevent small issues from turning into big problems.

Step 5: Plan for Surprises

Unexpected costs like healthcare, emergencies, or inflation can affect your retirement. AI emphasizes the importance of having a financial cushion.

Example:

• Keep a small emergency fund of 3–6 months of living expenses.
• Plan for rising healthcare costs in your later years so you’re not caught off guard.

Tip: Even a modest emergency fund gives peace of mind and protects your long-term savings.

How You Can Use AI and Tools Today

AI provides a roadmap, but applying it to your life is the key.

• Estimate how much to save each month
• Adjust your plan as income or lifestyle changes
• Track progress toward a comfortable retirement

With consistent planning, even small monthly savings can grow into a secure retirement over time.

Conclusion

Retirement planning doesn’t have to be confusing. By knowing your goals, saving consistently, investing wisely, monitoring your progress, and preparing for surprises, anyone can build a secure future.