Start with the income you'll need
The retirement number isn't a magic figure — it's whatever pile of savings can produce the income you'll need, on top of Social Security and any pension. Estimate your yearly spending in retirement, subtract guaranteed income, and the gap is what your savings must cover. The calculator above turns that gap into a target nest egg.
The 4% rule as a starting point
A common rule of thumb: you can withdraw about 4% of your savings the first year and adjust for inflation after, with a good chance it lasts 30 years. Flip it around and a $40,000 income gap needs roughly $1,000,000 saved. It's a starting point, not a guarantee — the withdrawal rate calculator lets you test other rates.
What changes your number
Retiring earlier means more years to fund, so a bigger number. Inflation raises it over time — see the inflation-adjusted calculator. A pension or larger Social Security check lowers it, because they cover part of the gap directly. And how long you expect to live matters as much as anything.
Common questions
Is Social Security included? It should be — count it as income that shrinks the gap your savings needs to fill.
What if I have a pension? Same idea — guaranteed income lowers your target. Value it with the pension value calculator.
Will my number keep changing? Yes — revisit it every few years as your spending, savings, and plans shift.