Your Retirement Budget, Planned

The 4% rule suggests you need 25× your annual expenses saved. For $60,000 in annual spending, that's $1.5 million. But with Social Security, a pension, or rental income, you may need considerably less. Enter your specific numbers above to see your actual picture — not a one-size-fits-all estimate.

A score of 80+ means your retirement plan is well-funded and your money should comfortably last 30+ years. Scores of 60–80 indicate your plan works but has limited margin for unexpected expenses or lower investment returns. Below 60 means your current plan likely runs short — you'll want to either increase savings, reduce planned spending, or delay retirement to build more runway.

At 3% inflation, a $5,000/month budget today becomes $8,100/month in 20 years and $10,800 in 30 years. Healthcare costs often inflate faster than general inflation — many retirees see 5–6% annual increases in healthcare spending. This tool applies your selected inflation rate to all expense categories in the 30-year projection, helping you see the true long-term picture.

Most financial planners suggest a tax-efficient sequence: first draw from taxable investment accounts, then traditional IRAs/401ks, then Roth accounts last (since they grow tax-free). This sequence minimizes lifetime taxes. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin at 73 for traditional accounts, which may affect your strategy. A fee-only financial advisor can tailor this to your specific accounts.

Absolutely. Social Security is the most reliable retirement income source — it's guaranteed for life, inflation-adjusted annually (COLA), and provides spousal benefits. Delaying from 62 to 70 can increase your monthly benefit by as much as 76%. Most retirees should include their expected Social Security benefit as the foundation of their income plan. Use SSA.gov's my Social Security tool to see your personalized estimate.