Retirement Calculator
Project your retirement corpus with the 4% rule, Social Security estimates, and inflation-adjusted spending.
Details
Result
Corpus Needed
$2,882,569
Monthly Savings Needed
$1,557
Spending at Retirement (monthly)
$12,136
Years to Retire
30
For estimation only. Not professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions. Full disclaimer.
How much do I actually need to retire?
The standard 4% rule: divide your annual retirement spending by 0.04 to get your target corpus. Spend $60,000/yr → need $1.5M. Lives 30+ years with 90% probability in historical simulations.
Don\'t forget Social Security
For average earners, Social Security replaces roughly 40% of pre-retirement income at full retirement age (67). This reduces the corpus you need to save privately. A 401(k) + IRA combination should cover the remaining 60-70%.
Healthcare is the hidden cost
Medicare starts at 65 but covers only ~65% of costs. Budget $10-15k/year per retiree for Medigap, Part D, and out-of-pocket. Retire before 65? Plan for $15-25k/year private coverage.
Common questions about Retirement
What is the 4% rule?+
Based on the Trinity Study: if you withdraw 4% of your retirement balance in year 1 and adjust for inflation each year, your money lasts 30+ years with 90%+ probability. $1M = $40k/year inflation-adjusted.
What about Social Security?+
At full retirement age (67 for those born after 1960), Social Security replaces roughly 40% of pre-retirement income for average earners. Claiming early (62) reduces benefits ~30%; waiting to 70 increases ~24%.
How much do I actually need to retire comfortably?+
Fidelity benchmark: 10x your ending salary by age 67, or ~25x annual expenses. For $100k/year ending salary, target $1M. For $150k lifestyle, target $1.5M. These are rough — adjust for: whether your mortgage is paid off (reduces needed income), healthcare costs pre-Medicare (expensive if retiring before 65, $1,000-$1,500/month ACA premiums), longevity (plan for age 95), and geographic cost of living.
What is sequence-of-returns risk?+
A market crash in early retirement is disproportionately damaging. Two retirees with identical average returns but different order: one with bad returns early sees corpus deplete much faster due to withdrawing during drawdowns. Solutions: (1) Bucket strategy — 3 years expenses in cash/bonds, 4-7 in bonds/dividend stocks, 8+ in growth equity. (2) Dynamic withdrawal — reduce spending in market down years. (3) Delay SS to 70 for higher inflation-indexed floor income.
When should I claim Social Security?+
Depends on life expectancy, spousal benefits, and need for income. Break-even for delaying from 67 to 70: roughly age 81. If your longevity (or spouse's) exceeds 81, delaying wins significantly. Married couples: higher earner should usually delay to 70 for maximum survivor benefit. If in poor health or need income, claim earlier. Claim between 62-67 has 5-8% per year reduction; 67-70 has 8% per year increase. Never a one-size-fits-all answer.
What healthcare costs should I plan for?+
Fidelity estimates a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2026 will need ~$330k-$340k for healthcare expenses through retirement (not including long-term care). Pre-65: ACA marketplace plans $800-$1,500/month per person. After 65: Medicare Part B ($185/month in 2025, higher IRMAA for high incomes), Part D ($45-$100/month), Medigap or Medicare Advantage ($150-$300/month). Long-term care (if needed): $6,000-$10,000/month for nursing home — insure via LTC policy or self-insure with portfolio.