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2026 Planning Guide

Retirement Income Estimator

See how long your savings will last in retirement. Factor in Social Security, withdrawals, inflation, and taxes to build a realistic picture of your financial runway.

Retirement profile

SSA average for a 65-year-old is ~85. Use 90–95 for a conservative plan.

Withdrawal strategy

Conservative retirees often use 4–6% for a balanced portfolio.
The Fed targets 2%. Use 2.5–3.5% for a realistic long-term estimate.

Social Security

Include Social Security income Add your estimated monthly benefit. Social Security reduces the amount you need to withdraw from savings each year.
Find your estimate at ssa.gov/myaccount. Average 2026 benefit is ~$1,920/mo.
Age 62 = reduced benefit. Age 67 = full. Age 70 = maximum (32% boost over FRA).

Other retirement income

Pension or annuity income Include any defined-benefit pension, annuity, or other guaranteed income stream.
Part-time or side income Include income from part-time work, consulting, rental income, or other sources during early retirement.

Tax considerations

Includes federal + estimated state income tax on retirement distributions.
Pre-tax withdrawals: Traditional 401k and IRA withdrawals count as ordinary income. RMDs begin at age 73 (SECURE 2.0). A tax professional can help optimize your withdrawal order.
Estimated monthly income in retirement

Income amounts shown in future dollars, adjusted for inflation at your selected rate.

Portfolio withdrawals (after-tax)—
Social Security—
Pension / annuity—
Part-time income—
Total monthly income—

Years savings lasts

—

Savings depleted at age

—

Balance at life expectancy

—

Total income over retirement

—

cumulative all sources

Field guide
What each input means and how to find it
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Retirement profile

Retirement age
The age at which you plan to stop working and begin drawing on your savings.
Life expectancy
How long you plan to fund. The SSA estimates an average 65-year-old lives to ~85. For a comfortable safety margin, most planners use 90–95.
Example: If you're healthy and have longevity in your family, use 95.
Total retirement savings
The sum of all investable retirement accounts: 401k, IRA, Roth IRA, brokerage, etc. Do not include home equity or illiquid assets unless you plan to sell them.

Withdrawal strategy

Fixed annual amount
You withdraw the same dollar amount every year, adjusted for inflation. Predictable but may deplete savings faster in down markets.
Percentage of savings
You withdraw a fixed percentage of your current portfolio value each year. The 4% rule (Bengen, 1994) suggests this rate is sustainable over 30 years for a balanced portfolio.
Investment return
Expected annual return on your retirement portfolio. Retirees typically hold a more conservative mix (60/40 or less). 4–6% is a common assumption.
Inflation rate
How much your purchasing power erodes each year. The Fed targets 2%. Historical average since 1926 is ~3%. Your withdrawal needs grow with inflation over time.

Social Security & other income

Monthly SS benefit
Your estimated monthly Social Security benefit. Get your personalized estimate at ssa.gov/myaccount. Benefits are based on your 35 highest-earning years.
Benefit start age
Age 62 is the earliest (reduced benefit). Full Retirement Age (FRA) is 67 for those born after 1960. Delaying to 70 increases your benefit by ~8% per year after FRA.
Pension / annuity
Guaranteed income from a defined-benefit pension, annuity contract, or similar. This is an annual amount, paid for life regardless of portfolio performance.

Taxes

Pre-tax savings
Traditional 401k and IRA withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. RMDs begin at age 73. Your effective rate depends on total income — SS may also become partially taxable above certain thresholds.
Roth savings
Qualified Roth withdrawals are federal income tax-free. No RMDs apply during your lifetime. Especially powerful if you expect higher taxes in retirement than today.
Effective tax rate
Your blended federal + state rate on withdrawals. Not your marginal rate — the effective (average) rate across all income is often 12–22% for most retirees.
Example: $60k total income in retirement with standard deduction may result in an effective rate near 10–14%.
How it works

How this calculator works

Enter your retirement savings balance, expected monthly income sources, and planned expenses. The calculator estimates how long your money will last in retirement and whether your savings are on track to support your lifestyle. Adjust your withdrawal rate and investment return to model different scenarios.

1
Enter your savings
Total retirement portfolio balance at retirement
2
Add income sources
Social Security, pension, annuity, or other income
3
Set your expenses
Monthly spending needs in retirement
4
See your runway
How long your money lasts year by year
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire comfortably?
A common rule of thumb is to save 25 times your annual expenses — known as the 25x rule. This is based on the 4% withdrawal rate, which research suggests has a high probability of lasting 30 years. For example if you spend $60,000 per year in retirement you would need approximately $1,500,000 saved.
What is a safe withdrawal rate?
The 4% rule is the most widely cited guideline — it suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one of retirement, then adjusting for inflation each year. Research by William Bengen found this rate historically survived 30-year retirement periods. More conservative planners use 3% to 3.5% for longer retirements.
What sources of income will I have in retirement?
Most retirees draw from several sources: Social Security benefits, 401k and IRA withdrawals, pension payments if applicable, investment income from taxable accounts, and in some cases part-time work or rental income. Diversifying your income sources reduces dependence on any single one.
How does inflation affect my retirement income?
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. At a 3% annual inflation rate, $60,000 today would require about $97,000 in 15 years to maintain the same lifestyle. This is why building in an annual cost-of-living adjustment to your withdrawal plan is critical for a retirement that may last 20-30 years.
When should I start taking Social Security?
You can claim Social Security as early as age 62 but your benefit will be permanently reduced. Waiting until your Full Retirement Age (66-67 depending on birth year) gives you your full benefit. Delaying until age 70 increases your benefit by 8% per year beyond FRA. The break-even point for waiting is typically around age 80.
What are Required Minimum Distributions?
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals from traditional 401k and IRA accounts starting at age 73. The amount is calculated based on your account balance and IRS life expectancy tables. Failing to take your RMD results in a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn.