Retiring before the typical age of sixty-seven may sound like a dream—getting to leave your responsibilities behind and experience virtually boundless freedom before the limits of senior age set in.

But, believe it or not, it can become a reality with enough ambition and the proper planning. If you’re thinking of joining the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, here’s how to build a fortified strategy that will help you navigate the financial complexities ahead to realize your goal.

Calculate your “freedom number”

The first step is estimating the savings figure that you’ll need to reach to retire early. Begin by totaling your monthly expenses, including for housing, health care, travel, and entertainment, and multiply the resulting number by twelve to get your annual expenses and then again by twenty-five to determine your savings target. For instance, say that you spend $4,500 a month. That would translate to $54,000 a year, meaning the retirement amount you should aim for is $1.35 million.

While this calculation is a good starting point, make sure to also factor in the withdrawal rate. The general rule of thumb is that you’ll want to take out 4 percent of your savings the first year and an equal dollar amount in subsequent years, adjusting for inflation. However, this is based on a time frame of thirty years, so early retirees should err on the cautious side and opt for a lower cash-out rate. If those withdrawals wouldn’t be enough to sustain your expected lifestyle based on the estimate above, you will want to adjust your savings goal higher.

To help initiate your planning, you can use an online retirement calculator to do the math for you. And for more nuanced guidance, connect with a financial advisor, who can work with you to establish your priorities and set an objective and plan that suits your needs.

Boost your savings

Clearly, early retirement requires an extraordinary savings, which is why many proponents of FIRE save 50–75 percent of their income. That may be difficult to achieve, so simply try to save as much per paycheck as possible, reducing any nonessential expenses (and even essential ones, where you can) and avoiding debt. Additionally, automate contributions to your 401(k), IRA, or other retirement account to ensure that you stay consistent with saving, and consider making the maximum deposits.

Plan for health care

Retiring before Medicare kicks in at age sixty-five can be a bit of a risk, leaving you with a gap in coverage. You’re not without options, though. For one, you can continue your policy from your previous employer (depending on the size of the company) for up to eighteen months through COBRA; just note that doing so costs nearly $9,000 per year on average. For a more cost-effective approach, shop ACA marketplace plans to find potentially lower coverage rates. Opening and funding a health savings account (HSA) with a high deductible plan may also be wise: these contributions offer many tax advantages, and you can take your funds with you after leaving your career behind.

Strategize Social Security

If you retire early, you may not be eligible for Social Security from day one—another reason building up your savings is crucial. You may also want to seek other sources of funds, such as rental income or annuities, to help maintain your lifestyle. Fortify your finances enough, and you may even feel comfortable delaying your Social Security benefits to increase your monthly payout: 8 percent per year, up to age seventy. Alternatively, you could opt in as early as sixty-two, though doing so will result in a reduced monthly payment. Use SSA’s benefit calculators to project potential outcomes before you commit to an approach.

Avoid market risks

Pulling funds too soon during a market downturn can jeopardize your nest egg’s longevity. To help avoid this, consider keeping one to two years of living expenses in a high-yield savings account or certificates of deposit for potentially greater stability. You could also allocate a portion of your portfolio to annuities for a more reliable income floor throughout retirement.

Watch for inflation and taxes

Over the decades, inflation could erode a portion of your purchasing power, and this effect may be even more pronounced if you take an early retirement. One option is to invest in dividend-paying stocks or TIPS (treasury inflation-protected securities) as part of a balanced financial portfolio to help stay abreast of any currency changes. These may be solid investments because their rates adjust for inflation, so they may not lose value over time.

Stay flexible and seek updates

Nothing is static, and economic shifts can occur at any point. Treat your retirement plan as a living document, reviewing your spending, asset allocation, and withdrawal strategies at least annually or semiannually and adjusting accordingly.

Taking an early retirement could be within reach if you practice consistent vigilance and disciplined saving. For more informed strategies, take cues from a financial advisor, who can walk you through the exact figures you need to hit and the steps you can take to achieve your aim. If executed wisely, retiring early won’t just be a fantasy but a well-planned and sustainable lifestyle choice to maximize your golden years.