How this calculator works
- Saving years: your current savings and monthly contributions grow at the pre-retirement return until your retirement age.
- Spending need: your yearly spending, minus other income, is raised by inflation to retirement-day dollars.
- Drawdown years: each year you withdraw that amount (rising with inflation) while the rest keeps growing at the post-retirement return.
Example
A 35-year-old with $60,000 saved, adding $800 a month at 7%, reaches about $1.7 million by 67. Spending $60,000 a year (today's dollars) with $24,000 of Social Security means withdrawing about $79,000 in the first year of retirement after inflation. The plan needs about $1.5 million, so this saver is on track, with money left at 92.
If you are behind
- Save more, especially early. Raise contributions by 1% each year or with every raise.
- Get the full employer match in your 401(k) before anything else.
- Work a little longer. Each extra year adds savings, growth and a larger Social Security check, and shortens retirement.
- Lower expected spending, for example by paying off your home before you retire.
Plan your workplace account with the 401(k) calculator or a Roth IRA calculator.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
It depends on what you will spend, how long retirement lasts and what other income you have, such as Social Security or a pension. This calculator estimates the savings needed to cover your spending, rising with inflation, from your retirement age to the age you plan for.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule suggests you can withdraw about 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement and raise it with inflation each year, with a good chance the money lasts 30 years. It implies saving about 25 times your yearly spending. It is a guideline, not a guarantee.
What return should I assume?
Many planners use 5% to 7% a year before retirement for a stock-heavy portfolio and 4% to 5% after retirement for a more conservative mix. Past returns do not guarantee future results, so try lower numbers to stress-test your plan.
Why does inflation matter so much?
At 2.5% inflation, prices roughly double in 28 years. $60,000 of spending today could cost about $120,000 a year when a 35-year-old retires. The calculator raises your spending by inflation both before and during retirement.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is a planning tool that uses simple, fixed assumptions. Real returns vary year to year, and taxes, fees and health costs can change the picture. Consider talking to a fee-only financial planner for a full plan.