Retirement Needs Calculator

How to use this calculator

1. Enter desired annual spending in today’s dollars.
2. Choose a withdrawal rate, retirement length, and inflation assumption.
3. We estimate inflation-adjusted spending and divide by the withdrawal rate to find the target nest egg.

Inputs explained

Annual spending

Target yearly spending in today’s dollars after accounting for any pensions or Social Security.

Withdrawal rate %

Percent of your portfolio you plan to withdraw annually (e.g., 4%).

Years in retirement

How long you want your money to last.

Inflation %

Expected average inflation over retirement to adjust spending power.

When to use it

• Setting a retirement savings goal using 4% or more conservative withdrawal rates.
• Testing how inflation or a longer retirement horizon changes the required nest egg.
• Comparing spending levels if pensions or Social Security offset some expenses.

Tips & cautions

• Use conservative withdrawal rates (3–4%) if you want higher confidence in long retirements.
• Adjust spending downward by expected guaranteed income before running the calculator.
• Revisit assumptions annually—market returns, inflation, and spending needs can change.
• Simplifies returns to a constant withdrawal rate; does not model sequence-of-returns risk.
• Does not include taxes or investment fees—factor those into spending or reduce the withdrawal rate.
• Assumes a steady inflation rate; real inflation varies year to year.

Worked examples

Deep dive

FAQs

Does this include Social Security?

Subtract expected pension/social security from annual spending before running the calculator.

Can markets change the withdrawal rate?

Yes. Revisit the calculator periodically to reflect new return expectations.

Related calculators