The 4% rule is a guideline for retirement withdrawal rates. It suggests that if you withdraw 4% of your total retirement portfolio in the first year of retirement, and adjust that amount for inflation each subsequent year, your money has a high probability of lasting for at least 30 years.

How much should I be saving for retirement?

A common recommendation is to save 15% of your pre-tax income for retirement. However, the ideal amount depends on when you start saving and your retirement goals. If you start late, you may need to save 20% or more. This calculator helps you find a more personalized answer.

What about Social Security?

This calculator helps you determine the amount you need to save on your own. Any income from Social Security, pensions, or other sources would reduce the amount you need to withdraw from your portfolio each year, effectively lowering your savings goal or extending the life of your funds.

Retirement Calculator

Currency

About You & Your Savings

Current Age

Annual Income

Current Retirement Savings

Your Annual Contribution

Employer Match

Your Goals & Assumptions

Retirement Age

Life Expectancy

Income Needed in Retirement

Pre-Retirement Return

Post-Retirement Return

Inflation Rate

Your Retirement Outlook

You Are Projected to Have

Your Retirement Goal

Your Estimated Gap

The Marathon, Not a Sprint

Saving for retirement can feel like preparing for a marathon. The finish line seems impossibly far away, and the thought of the journey can be overwhelming. But just like a marathon runner, success comes not from a single burst of effort, but from steady, consistent progress over a long period of time. The most important step is the first one: understanding where you are and where you need to go.

This calculator is your personal coach. It looks at your current pace (your savings), the distance to the finish line (your time until retirement), and gives you a clear picture of the outcome. It calculates the total **Retirement Goal** you're aiming for and compares it to your **Projected Savings**, revealing if you have a comfortable surplus or a manageable shortfall. Knowing this number is the key to creating a financial plan that gets you across the finish line with confidence.

Tools for Your Financial Journey

Investment Calculator: See how a specific amount of money can grow over time with compound interest.
Compound Interest Calculator: A simple tool to visualize the power of compounding.
Mortgage Payoff Calculator: See how paying off your largest debt faster can free up cash for retirement savings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's a realistic rate of return to assume?

Historically, a diversified stock market portfolio (like an S&P 500 index fund) has returned an average of about 10% per year before inflation. A more conservative estimate for planning is often 6-8%. During retirement, a lower return (e.g., 4-5%) is typically assumed as portfolios become more conservative to preserve capital.

What is the 4% rule of thumb?

The 4% rule is a guideline that suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio in your first year of retirement, and then adjust that amount for inflation each following year, with a high probability of your money lasting at least 30 years. It's a common starting point for estimating withdrawal strategies.

What if I have a pension or expect Social Security?

This calculator focuses on the savings you need to accumulate on your own. Any guaranteed income from Social Security or a pension would reduce the amount you need to withdraw from your portfolio. You can account for this by lowering your "Income Needed in Retirement" percentage. For example, if you need 80% of your income but expect Social Security to cover 30% of it, you could set the goal to 50%.