08/07/2026
Myth: “If my 401(k) looks good, I must be ready.”
Fact: Your 401(k) balance is only one part of the picture.
Retirement readiness may also depend on income needs, debt, taxes, healthcare costs, Social Security timing, and how your different resources work together.
That is one reason so many people keep saying, “Maybe just one more year.”
It is not always about age. Sometimes it is about uncertainty.
A better question is not just, “How much do I have?” but “How will this support the life I want?”
Retirement readiness is personal and should be reviewed based on individual circumstances.
Comment READY if you want to start thinking beyond just the account balance.