Retirement Calculator

At minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match - this is free money. Ideally, aim for 10-15% of your gross income. If you're behind on retirement savings, consider contributing the IRS maximum ($23,000 for 2026, or $30,000 if you're 50+).

The 4% rule suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement savings annually without running out of money. For example, with $1 million saved, you could withdraw $40,000 per year ($3,333/month). This rule is based on historical market data and assumes a 30-year retirement.

Employer matching means your company contributes money to your 401(k) based on your contributions. For example, a 50% match up to 6% means if you contribute 6% of your salary, your employer adds 3%. This is essentially free money that boosts your retirement savings.

Historically, the S&P 500 has returned about 10% annually before inflation. After accounting for 3% inflation, a real return of 7% is commonly used for retirement planning. Conservative estimates use 6%, while aggressive estimates might use 8-9%.