The 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your retirement portfolio in year one, then adjusting for inflation. Based on historical data, this gives a 90%+ chance your money lasts 30 years.

Should I use a Roth or Traditional 401k?

If your current tax bracket is lower than you expect in retirement, go Roth. If you expect a lower bracket in retirement, go Traditional. Many people do both.

Retirement Calculator

Project your retirement savings growth. See how monthly contributions and compound returns add up over decades, and estimate your retirement income using the 4% rule.

How Much Do You Need to Retire?

The most common benchmark: save 10-12x your final salary. So if you earn $75,000 at retirement, you'd want $750,000-$900,000 saved. But the real answer depends on your spending, not your income.

The 4% rule says you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually in retirement. Need $50,000/year? Target $1.25 million. This calculator shows you how to get there.

Retirement Savings Benchmarks by Age

Fidelity's guidelines for where you should be:

Age 30: 1x your annual salary saved
Age 40: 3x your annual salary
Age 50: 6x your annual salary
Age 60: 8x your annual salary
Age 67: 10x your annual salary

Behind? Don't panic. The power of compound growth means even small increases in contributions make a big difference over time. Use our Compound Interest Calculator to see the math.

Why Starting Early Matters

Here's the magic of compound growth: $500/month from age 25 at 7% = $1.2 million by 65. Start at 35? Only $610,000. Those first 10 years cost you $600,000 in future wealth. The calculator above proves it — plug in your own numbers and see.

Common Retirement Planning Mistakes

Not capturing employer match — leaving matching contributions unclaimed
Being too conservative — bonds won't grow enough for a 30+ year retirement
Cashing out when changing jobs — taxes and penalties destroy years of growth
Forgetting inflation — $1 million in 30 years buys a lot less than today

Read our full guide: Retirement Planning for Beginners.

Related Tools

Compound Interest Calculator — see growth over time
Roth IRA Calculator — tax-free growth
401(k) Calculator — employer match estimator
Salary Calculator — know your take-home pay

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do I need to retire? ▼

A common rule is 10-12x your final salary. The 4% rule says withdraw 4% annually. Need $50K/year? Target $1.25 million. This calculator shows how to get there.

What is the 4% rule? ▼

Withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each year. Based on historical stock/bond returns, this gives a 90%+ chance your money lasts 30 years.

Am I behind on retirement savings? ▼

By 30: 1x salary. By 40: 3x. By 50: 6x. By 60: 8x. These are benchmarks — if you're behind, bumping contributions by even 1-2% makes a big difference over time.

Roth or Traditional 401(k)? ▼

Lower bracket now than you expect in retirement? Roth. Higher bracket now? Traditional. Not sure? Split between both. See our 401(k) Calculator to compare.

Written by: Wealth Growth Editorial Team | Reviewed for accuracy by: the Wealth Growth editorial team | Last updated: June 2026

Sources: Fidelity, Vanguard, Bureau of Labor Statistics

This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Financial Disclaimer.