Retirement Calculator

Use Savings Rate to understand how fast you’re building wealth and estimate time to financial independence, 401(k) to optimize contributions and employer match, Retirement to check if you’re on track for a traditional retirement (funded ratio vs required nest egg), and FIRE to explore early-retirement scenarios (Coast/Lean/Fat/Barista). For a complete picture, start with Savings Rate → 401(k) → Retirement → FIRE. This tool keeps all four views in one place so you can adjust inputs and immediately see how each part of your plan moves.

Most tools differ because they use different assumptions (return rate, inflation, withdrawal rate, time horizon, taxes, Social Security, and spending patterns). Some assume smooth average returns, while others model historical “bad sequences” where markets fall early in retirement (sequence-of-returns risk). Small assumption changes compound over decades, so two calculators can diverge dramatically even with the same starting inputs. A good way to build confidence is to keep the inputs consistent and compare scenarios side-by-side—this tool is designed for quick sensitivity checks rather than a single “final answer.”

This tool is a planning calculator, not a prediction engine. It’s best used to compare scenarios (“what if I save more, retire later, or spend less?”) rather than to treat the output as a guaranteed outcome. The math runs locally in your browser for privacy—no accounts, no uploads—and the results include clear metrics (like funded ratio, match, and years-to-FI) so you can reason about tradeoffs instead of relying on a black box.

A good approach is to test a range rather than pick a single “perfect” number. Many people start with long-term nominal returns in the 6–8% range and inflation around 2–3%, but your portfolio mix and future markets may differ. If you’re unsure, run conservative, baseline, and optimistic scenarios (for example, 1–2% lower returns than your baseline) and see how sensitive your funded ratio and timeline are. The chart makes this especially clear—small changes in assumptions can move outcomes a lot over 20–40 years.

It depends on what numbers you enter. If your return input is nominal (includes inflation), you should also include inflation separately so the tool can estimate purchasing-power-adjusted outcomes. If your return input is already “real” (inflation-adjusted), you would typically set inflation to 0% to avoid double-counting. When in doubt, run two scenarios (nominal+inflation vs real+0%) and confirm the results are consistent. Tip: use the built-in info icons next to key metrics to understand how the tool interprets each number.

Yes—Retirement and FIRE include a Monte Carlo mode designed specifically to visualize sequence-of-returns risk (e.g., a market downturn early in retirement). In Monte Carlo mode, the chart shows a 10–90% outcome range and the results include a probability metric so you can evaluate “how likely is this plan to hold up?” rather than relying on a single smooth projection.

Monte Carlo runs thousands of simulations where each year’s return is randomized (based on your expected return plus a volatility setting). Your portfolio grows during the saving years, then withdrawals are applied in retirement. The shaded band on the chart shows the 10–90% range of outcomes and the line shows the median—helping you see uncertainty and avoid the illusion of precision.

They control how much yearly returns vary from one simulation to the next. Higher volatility widens the range of outcomes and usually lowers the probability of success for the same plan, because big early drawdowns become more likely. In the chart legend you’ll see the actual volatility value (for example, Volatility 8% / 12% / 18%) so you’re not guessing what the preset means.

It’s the percentage of simulated market paths where your plan meets the goal (for Retirement: your portfolio doesn’t run out during the horizon; for FIRE: you reach your FIRE target by the horizon). It’s not a guarantee—but it’s a practical way to compare scenarios and see whether small changes (retiring later, spending less, saving more) meaningfully improve robustness.

Large targets usually come from (1) higher annual expenses, (2) a lower withdrawal rate, (3) shorter time to retirement, (4) conservative return assumptions, or (5) inflation increasing future spending. Start by validating your expense number (especially housing and healthcare), then test small changes to savings rate, retirement age, and withdrawal rate to see which lever matters most for you. This tool highlights the most important outputs (like funded ratio and shortfall) so you can focus on the levers that actually move the plan.

This tool does not assume you own your home—your plan is driven by your expense inputs. If you expect to rent in retirement, include realistic long-term housing costs in annual expenses. If you expect a paid-off mortgage, you can model lower expenses later by using your best estimate for retirement-era spending. When uncertain, run both scenarios (renting vs owning) to see the range, and use the chart to compare how each assumption changes your trajectory.

This tool uses annual expense and savings assumptions, so it won’t perfectly model irregular events. A practical approach is to add a buffer to annual expenses, increase your required nest egg target, or run separate scenarios (baseline vs “high-expense years”). For detailed multi-phase planning, use this tool to quickly bracket a reasonable range, then cross-check with a scenario-based planner if you want more granular year-by-year modeling.

Employer match rules vary (e.g., 50% up to 6%), and annual contribution limits depend on the year and whether you’re eligible for catch-up contributions. This tool shows your estimated employer match and flags “missed match” when you’re not contributing enough to capture the full match—making it easy to spot “free money” you might be leaving on the table. If your plan has unusual rules or you have a solo 401(k), confirm the details with your plan documents.

This calculator focuses on contribution amounts and growth, not detailed tax-bracket modeling. As a rule of thumb, traditional contributions can help if you’re in a high tax bracket now, while Roth can help if you expect higher taxes later or want tax-free withdrawals. Many people use a mix. Use this tool to dial in contribution levels and capture employer match, then validate tax strategy with a tax-aware planner if you want bracket-level precision.

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is typically modeled as 25× annual expenses (the 4% rule). Lean FIRE targets a lower spending lifestyle, Fat FIRE targets higher spending, Coast FIRE is the amount you need today to grow into FIRE by a later age without more contributions, and Barista FIRE blends partial withdrawals with part-time income. If you’re unsure, start with your realistic annual expenses and compare Lean vs Fat scenarios—this tool makes it easy to see multiple FIRE targets on the same chart.

For most people, quarterly or yearly is enough—especially after major changes (new job, raise, big expense change, or market move). If you find yourself checking constantly, switch to a simple routine: update inputs on a schedule, focus on controllables (savings rate, expenses, match), and treat projections as a range rather than a verdict. Because this tool runs locally and updates quickly, it’s great for occasional check-ins and “what if” planning—without turning it into a daily stress habit.