Question

How many years will you need to provide a steady retirement income for yourself based on how long you are likely to live? Don't assume you can work until normal retirement age - your health may not permit that. Plan to retire a few years early to give yourself a safety buffer in case your health deteriorates sooner than planned or in case you need to stay home to care for a loved one. I am likely to live until I am 85

Answer 1

Health starts determining from age 50 on average. Assuming a person can live on an average till 85 years. So retiring at 55 years might be considered safe. So the steady retirement income planned should be for 85-55 = 30 years.
For attaining 30 years of retirement income
1. One should not invest in risk assets from age 45.
2. Planning less expenditure on housing which constituters 1/3rd if the expenses from an American household will help. This can be minimised by preferring to buy houses at the outskirt which might be cheaper than in a central area.
3. Investing in retirement fund from age 30 can help a lot.