How do you answer how much you expect to get paid in a interview? [View all]

It seems like there was a time when an employer told you how much a job paid, and you negotiated from there. But today most jobs do not even tell you how much they pay, they ask you, then it feels like a game of chance when you try to give the right answer.

I have a couple theories, but I was wondering what most employers really expect....

Do they expect:

1) for you to give them the right answer that they wanted you to say.
2) for you to tell them the industry standard.
3) for you to say how much you think you're worth.
4) for you to tell them how much you need to pay the bills.
5) for you to tell them how much you need to pay the bills and retire in x number of years.

My theory is that number 5 is the "best" answer. If someone wants $40k/year to retire and plans to retire in 20 years, one must put away about 20k/year for 20 years. And if one's living expenses are say $40k, then one would say they need $60k. If you take into account raises over time maybe $50k. That seems reasonable to me.

I'd say 2 is the worst option because it seems pretentious. Number 3 is the second worst option because it depends on the company. I think 1 or 4 are the most likely to be the reality.

These are my guesses, though, Just wondering what employers really expect.