Retirement CalculatorProject your savings, income, and readiness score — with inflation-adjusted drawdown.
Project your retirement balance, monthly income, and readiness score — with inflation-adjusted drawdown modelling and what-if scenarios.
Estimates only — not financial advice. Projections are based on the assumptions you enter and do not account for actual market performance, tax changes, or individual circumstances.
💡 The 4% Rule at a Glance
Research by William Bengen (1994) found that withdrawing 4% of a balanced portfolio annually — adjusted for inflation — had a near 100% success rateover any 30-year retirement period in US market history. For a $1M portfolio, that's $40,000/year or $3,333/month in sustainable retirement income.
$1.46M
Median target retirement nest egg for US households
4%
Safe withdrawal rate backed by 50+ years of research
23×
Multiplier effect of starting retirement savings at 25 vs 45
The 3 phases of retirement planning
Accumulation
From your current age to retirement. Monthly contributions compound over decades. The longer this phase, the more powerful compound growth becomes — early years matter most.
Optimisation
Balancing return rate vs. risk as you near retirement. Portfolios typically shift from growth assets to income assets, reducing volatility while preserving capital.
Drawdown
Spending from your portfolio during retirement. Portfolio sustainability depends on the safe withdrawal rate, inflation, post-retirement growth, and how long you live.
What to do next
01
Project Current Investments
See exactly how your existing savings or lump sum grows over any time horizon with compound interest.
Open Investment Calculator →
02
Build Passive Income Streams
Model dividend income, rental yields, and other passive streams to supplement your retirement portfolio withdrawals.
Open Passive Income Calculator →
03
Calculate What You Can Save
Work out your real take-home pay after tax and deductions to see exactly how much you can afford to contribute each month.
Open Take-Home Pay Calculator →
How to use this retirement calculator
Start by entering your current age and target retirement age. The gap between these two numbers is your accumulation phase — the period where compound interest does most of its work. A 30-year-old targeting retirement at 67 has 37 years for their money to compound, which is dramatically more powerful than someone starting at 45 with only 22 years.
Next, enter your current savings and monthly contribution. Even modest monthly contributions, maintained consistently, have an outsized long-term impact. If you're looking to understand how much of your salary you can realistically save each month, the take-home pay calculator can help you work out your actual disposable income after taxes and deductions.
Understanding the readiness score
The readiness score (0–100) combines two factors: income replacement rate (how much of your monthly income goal is covered by portfolio withdrawals and Social Security) and portfolio sustainability(whether your portfolio lasts through your full life expectancy). A score of 85+ means you're on track; 65–84 needs attention; below 65 requires action.
The most powerful levers for improving your score are: starting earlier, increasing monthly contributions, and extending your working years slightly. Even retiring 2–3 years later has a compounding effect — you accumulate more and reduce the number of drawdown years. For a deep dive into how compound interest builds wealth, explore the compound interest calculator.
The role of inflation in retirement planning
Inflation is the silent tax on retirement savings. At 2.5% annual inflation, the purchasing power of money halves roughly every 28 years. This calculator models two key inflation effects:
- Inflation-adjusted portfolio value: what your retirement balance is worth in today's dollars — showing you the real purchasing power, not just the nominal figure.
- Inflation-growing withdrawals: your monthly income goal grows each year of retirement to maintain purchasing power. This makes portfolio sustainability harder — particularly in long retirements.
This is why the post-retirement return rate matters. If your portfolio earns 5% but inflation is 2.5%, your real return is approximately 2.5% — which must cover withdrawals. For context, building passive income streams alongside your portfolio can reduce withdrawal pressure and improve sustainability.
What is a realistic annual return assumption?
The US stock market (S&P 500) has returned approximately 10% annually on average since 1957, or around 7% after inflation. However, the relevant figure for planning depends on your investment mix, fees, and time horizon:
- Aggressive (equity-heavy, long horizon): 7–9% nominal
- Moderate (balanced portfolio): 5–7% nominal
- Conservative (near retirement): 3–5% nominal
Many financial planners use 6–7% as a base case for the accumulation phase and 4–5% for the post-retirement phase (when portfolios shift toward income assets). This calculator allows you to set both independently in the advanced options.
Real-world retirement scenarios
The Early Starter
Age 25, $10k saved, $400/mo, 7% return, $3,500/mo goal
Retires at 65 with approx. $1.4M. 4% rule generates $4,700/mo — exceeds the goal. Readiness: On Track.
The Late Bloomer
Age 45, $50k saved, $1,000/mo, 7% return, $4,000/mo goal
Retires at 67 with approx. $780k. 4% rule generates $2,600/mo — covers 65% of goal. Readiness: Needs Attention.
The High Earner
Age 35, $100k saved, $2,000/mo, 8% return, $8,000/mo goal
Retires at 60 with approx. $3.5M. 4% rule generates $11,700/mo — well above goal. Readiness: On Track.
The Conservative Planner
Age 40, $30k saved, $600/mo, 5% return, $3,000/mo goal
Retires at 67 with approx. $590k. 4% rule generates $1,967/mo — 66% coverage. Adding SS changes the picture significantly.
The Side Hustle Builder
Age 30, $20k saved, $800/mo + $5k annual bonus, 7% return, $3,500/mo goal
The annual bonus adds $175k+ to the final portfolio. Retires at 65 with approx. $1.25M. Readiness: On Track.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
Multiply your desired annual income by 25 (the 4% rule). For $4,000/month ($48k/year), the target is $1.2M. Use this calculator to model your exact timeline, contributions, and return assumptions.
What is the 4% rule and is it still valid?
The 4% rule states that withdrawing 4% of a balanced portfolio annually (adjusted for inflation) has historically lasted 30+ years. Some researchers now suggest 3–3.5% is more conservative in a lower-return environment. This calculator uses 4% as the default safe withdrawal rate.
What annual return rate should I use?
6–7% nominal is a common base case for a diversified equity-heavy portfolio during accumulation. For post-retirement, 4–5% is more conservative. You can set both independently in the advanced options.
How does inflation affect my retirement?
Inflation growing at 2.5%/year means your $4,000/mo goal in today's dollars becomes roughly $8,400/mo in 30 years. This calculator models both inflation-adjusted portfolio values and inflation-growing withdrawals during retirement.
Should I include Social Security in my retirement plan?
Yes — use the advanced options to add your estimated monthly Social Security or pension income. This reduces how much your portfolio needs to provide and significantly improves readiness scores for most people.
How can I improve my retirement readiness score?
The most impactful levers are: starting earlier, increasing monthly contributions, working slightly longer, or reducing your monthly income goal. Use the what-if scenarios to see the impact of each change instantly.
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