How the estimate works
Your savings only need to cover the gap between your spending and guaranteed income. The calculator finds the amount that, invested at your retirement return, pays that gap every year—rising with inflation—for the number of years you choose.
The “25× rule” is a quick cross-check: multiply your yearly gap by 25. It comes from the 4% withdrawal guideline.
What to use for spending
Many people need 70–85% of their pre-retirement income. Spending can be lower if your mortgage will be paid off and you stop saving for retirement, and higher if you plan to travel or expect large medical costs.
Common questions
How much money do I need to retire?
Enough to cover the gap between your spending and your guaranteed income (Social Security and pensions) for the rest of your life. A quick check is 25 times the yearly gap; this calculator gives a closer estimate using your own numbers.
Is $1 million enough to retire?
It depends on your spending and other income. Using the 4% rule, $1 million supports about $40,000 a year of withdrawals, plus Social Security. If your spending gap is larger than that, you may need more.
Official 2026 figures from: IRS: 2026 401(k) and IRA limits (IR-2025-111) · IRS: Catch-up contributions · IRS: Required minimum distributions · IRS: Publication 590-B (Uniform Lifetime Table) · IRS: Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (2026 HSA limits) · SSA: 2026 COLA fact sheet · CMS: 2026 Medicare premiums and deductibles · SSA: Cost-of-living adjustment history · BEA: Regional Price Parities by state (2024 data)