If I were aiming for $1 million in retirement<\/a> using ASX 200 shares, I would keep the plan simple. I would try to own around 10 high-quality businesses, invest regularly, reinvest dividends, and give compounding<\/a> as much time as possible.<\/p>\n Images source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Where to start<\/p>\n Let’s say an investor starts with $10,000 and adds $500 a month.<\/p>\n If that portfolio returned an average of 9% per annum, it could grow to more than $1 million in around 30 years.<\/p>\n That return is not guaranteed. Share markets do not move in a straight line, and some years can be painful. But I think the example shows why time, consistency, and reinvestment are so powerful.<\/p>\n The investor does not need to find the next tiny stock that rises 20-fold. They need a sensible plan and the discipline to keep going through different market conditions.<\/p>\n Why just 10 ASX 200 shares?<\/p>\n I would not want my retirement plan to depend on one or two companies. That is too much single-stock risk.<\/p>\n But I also do not think I need to own every company on the ASX.<\/p>\n Owning 10 carefully selected ASX 200 shares could give exposure to different sectors, earnings drivers, and growth opportunities without making the portfolio too diluted.<\/p>\n For example, a portfolio could include Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA<\/a>) for banking quality and fully franked dividends, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG<\/a>) for global financial exposure, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP<\/a>) for resources and copper, and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES<\/a>) for retail and industrial strength.<\/p>\n I would also want healthcare exposure through ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD<\/a>) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL<\/a>), digital infrastructure through Goodman Group (ASX: GMG<\/a>), property platform exposure through REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA<\/a>), enterprise software through TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE<\/a>), and global technology through WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC<\/a>).<\/p>\n That is not a perfect list for every investor. But it shows the sort of balance I would want.<\/p>\n What I’d look for<\/p>\n The share price is only one part of the decision.<\/p>\n If I were building a retirement portfolio, I would care more about the quality of the business than whether the stock looks cheap on the day I buy it.<\/p>\n I would want companies with strong competitive positions, capable management, durable demand, and the ability to keep reinvesting for growth.<\/p>\n Dividends would also matter. Over decades, reinvested dividends can make a huge difference. Fully franked income from some ASX 200 shares can also be useful, depending on an investor’s tax situation.<\/p>\n But I would not build the whole portfolio around yield. A retirement portfolio still needs growth.<\/p>\n Staying the course<\/p>\n The hardest part of this plan would not be choosing the 10 shares. It would be holding them through market falls.<\/p>\n![\"Smiling](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fun-family-of-three-1200x675.jpg\")
<\/p>\n