A quick, rule-of-thumb estimate based on a fixed withdrawal rate — it doesn’t account for market returns, inflation, taxes, or how long your money needs to last. A full retirement plan looks at all of that together; this is for informational purposes only.
How the estimate works
Enter the annual income you’d want in retirement, then subtract what Social Security or a pension will already cover. What’s left is the gap your savings need to fill. Divide that gap by a withdrawal rate you’re comfortable with, and you get a rough target for the nest egg that supports it.
Why a withdrawal rate, not a single “magic number”
“How much do I need to retire?” doesn’t have one universal answer, because it depends on how fast you plan to draw the money down. A lower withdrawal rate stretches the same savings further but needs a bigger nest egg to start; a higher one needs less saved but carries more risk of running short. The calculator lets you try a few rates side by side instead of anchoring on one guess.
Things this estimate doesn’t cover
- Taxes on withdrawals — a traditional IRA or 401(k) dollar isn’t the same as a Roth dollar once it’s taxed.
- Healthcare and long-term care costs, which often rise faster than everyday expenses.
- Inflation over a multi-decade retirement, which steadily changes what “enough” actually buys.
- Sequence-of-returns risk — the order gains and losses happen in, not just their average.
This is a starting estimate, not a full retirement plan. For a number that accounts for your actual accounts, taxes, and timeline, talk with our team.