Ultimate Retirement Planner
Plan your financial future with Monte Carlo simulations, tax-optimized strategies, and detailed projections
📚 Learn More About Retirement Planning
💰 The 4% Rule
The 4% rule is a widely-used guideline suggesting you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio in the first year, then adjust for inflation each year after.
Example: With $1 million saved, you could withdraw $40,000 in year one. If inflation is 3%, you'd withdraw $41,200 in year two.
🏦 Account Types
Tax-deductible now, taxed in retirement. Best if you expect lower taxes later.
Taxed now, tax-free forever. Best if you expect higher taxes later.
No tax breaks, but maximum flexibility.
🏛️ Social Security
You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but waiting until Full Retirement Age (67 for most) or even 70 significantly increases your monthly benefit.
Pro tip: Delaying from 67 to 70 increases benefits by ~24%. That's an 8% annual return guaranteed!
📊 Monte Carlo Simulations
Instead of assuming a fixed return rate, we run 500+ simulations with randomized market returns based on historical volatility.
This shows you the range of possible outcomes—from best case to worst case—giving you a realistic picture of your retirement security.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Starting too late (compound interest needs time!)
- Underestimating healthcare costs
- Ignoring inflation
- Not maximizing employer match (free money!)
- Withdrawing retirement funds early
✅ Best Practices
- Save at least 15% of gross income
- Max out employer match first
- Diversify across account types
- Rebalance portfolio annually
- Plan for 30+ years in retirement
- Consider healthcare and long-term care
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Your Info
Start with your age, income, and current savings across all account types.
Set Your Goals
Define your retirement age and desired annual income in retirement.
Adjust & Optimize
Use the Strategy Lab to test different scenarios and find your optimal path.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to retire?
Most experts recommend aiming for 70-80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living. For example, if you earn $100,000 now, you might need $70,000-$80,000 per year in retirement.
What is a good savings rate?
Saving 15% of your gross income is a widely recommended benchmark. However, if you start later in life, you may need to save 20% or more to catch up.
Does this calculator include Social Security?
Yes! We estimate your Social Security benefit based on your income and retirement age. You can also override this with your own estimate from ssa.gov.
Should I contribute to a Roth or Traditional 401(k)?
It depends on your current vs expected retirement tax bracket. If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, choose Roth (pay taxes now at lower rate). If you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement, choose Traditional (defer taxes until retirement). Many experts recommend a mix of both for tax diversification. If you're young and in a low tax bracket now, Roth is often better. If you're in your peak earning years with high taxes, Traditional may be better.