Retirement Savings Calculator
How much you need saved to retire on the 4% withdrawal rule.
Every calculation runs locally in your browser. Nothing you enter here is sent to a server or stored anywhere.
Target nest egg
$1,200,000
Required monthly contribution
$1,269
Projected balance over time
For informational and educational purposes only — not financial, investment, or tax advice, and not a substitute for consulting a qualified professional about your specific situation. TrueMeasureKit is not liable for decisions made based on these results. See our Terms of Service.
What the 4% rule actually says
The 4% rule comes from research (most famously the "Trinity study") on how large a portfolio needs to be so that withdrawing a fixed percentage each year, adjusted for inflation, is unlikely to run out over a multi-decade retirement. A 4% withdrawal rate implies a target of 25× your annual expenses — the math this calculator runs in reverse. It's a planning heuristic based on historical market data, not a guarantee: a lower withdrawal rate (3–3.5%) is more conservative for long or uncertain retirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 4% withdrawal rule this calculator is based on?
A widely cited guideline from historical US market research suggesting a retiree can withdraw 4% of their portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each year after, with a low historical chance of running out of money over a 30-year retirement.
Is the 4% rule still considered reliable?
It's debated. Some researchers argue for a lower, more conservative rate given today's market valuations and longer retirements; others find it still holds up reasonably well. Treat this as a starting estimate, not a guarantee.
Does this include Social Security or pension income?
No — it estimates the portfolio needed to fund your expenses from savings alone. If you expect Social Security or a pension, subtract that income from your target retirement spending before entering it.