FIRE. These four letters have consumed the retirement planning discussion like, well, wildfire in recent years. They stand for financial independence, retire early — an approach that emphasizes intense budgeting, saving and investing to help practitioners reach retirement age well before they blow out the candles on their 65th birthday cake. Ideally, following this method could empower you to leave the workforce early — although some experts aren’t so sure. For You: Here’s How Much You Need To Retire With ...