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Tools & CalculatorsRetirement PlanningRetirement Planner
Most-used tool · Est. 5 minutes

Retirement Planner

3-scenario model with Monte Carlo simulation. See exactly when your money runs out — and what to do about it.

Start with a worked example or enter your own numbers below

Your details

Current age35
1870
Retirement age65
3680
Life expectancy88
66100
Current retirement savings
How much you've already saved across all accounts
$
Monthly contributions
Total monthly contributions (401k + IRA + other)
$
Current annual salary
Used to calculate income replacement needs
$
Social Security (monthly)
Estimated monthly Social Security benefit at retirement (check ssa.gov)
$
Income replacement %75% of $110K = $83K/yr
50100
Future savings changes
No future savings events. Add a raise, inheritance, or child starting college.
Projected at retirement
$2.52M
Age 65 · Base case
Target nest egg needed
$4.35M
75.0% income · SS: $26K/yr
Funding gap
−$1.83M
Need $1K/mo more
Your plan has a significant $1.83M funding gap in the base scenario. You need to save $1K more per month to close it.

Savings trajectory

7% return, 3% inflation — historical average
$0$678K$1.36M$2.03M$2.71MRetireAge 35Age 48Age 62Age 75Age 88Your savingsDrawdown phaseFidelity benchmark

All three scenarios compared

Pessimistic
$1.63M
At retirement (age 65)
Gap: −$4.40M
⚠ Depleted at age 73
Return: 5.0% · Inflation: 4.0%
Base case
$2.52M
At retirement (age 65)
Gap: −$1.83M
✓ Lasts to age 88+
Return: 7.0% · Inflation: 3.0%
Optimistic
$4.00M
At retirement (age 65)
Surplus: +$922K
✓ Lasts to age 88+
Return: 9.0% · Inflation: 2.0%

Are you on track? Fidelity benchmark comparison

Fidelity recommends having these multiples of your salary saved at each age milestone.

AgeTarget (× salary)Target ($)You (projected)Status
Age 351×$110,000$85,000⚠ Behind
Age 402×$220,000$227,887✓ On track
Age 453×$330,000$430,448✓ On track
Age 504×$440,000$717,604✓ On track
Age 555×$550,000$1,124,683✓ On track
Age 606×$660,000$1,701,768✓ On track
Age 657×$770,000$2,519,859✓ On track

How we calculated your number

Annual income in today's dollars
75.0% × $110,000 salary
$82,500
Inflation-adjusted at retirement
3.0% inflation × 30 years
$200,249
Less: Social Security income
$2K/month × 12
−$26,400/yr
Net needed from savings (annual)
Income gap your portfolio must fill
$173,849
Required nest egg (4% rule)
$173,849 ÷ 0.04
$4,346,229
Your projected balance
7.0% annual return · 30 years compounding
$2,519,859
Expert guide
WealthSerene Financial Education · Updated March 2026

How much do you need to retire? The complete guide for 2026

The most common retirement question is deceptively simple: "How much do I need?" The equally simple answer — "it depends" — is frustrating but true. What it depends on, and how to calculate your personal number, is exactly what this guide explains.

The 4% rule — your starting framework

The most widely-used retirement formula is the 4% rule, developed by William Bengen in 1994 and validated by the Trinity Study. The rule states: if you withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each subsequent year, your portfolio has historically lasted 30+ years in nearly all market conditions.

Your magic number = Desired annual retirement income ÷ 0.04

If you want $80,000/year in retirement income and Social Security covers $30,000, you need $50,000 from your portfolio. Divide by 0.04: you need a $1.25 million nest egg. Simple — but this framework needs important adjustments for your specific situation.

Educational disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only and is provided by WealthSerene.com. Projections assume consistent returns and contributions — actual market performance will vary. This is not regulated investment advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor and a tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Social Security estimates should be verified at ssa.gov. Last updated March 2026.

Educational disclaimer: All content on WealthSerene.com is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Projections and calculations are illustrative — actual results will vary based on market conditions, your specific situation, and many factors outside this tool’s scope. Always consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation. View full disclosures →