Retirement Income Gap Calculator
Will your money last? Compare your desired retirement income to what your savings and Social Security will actually provide.
Retirement planning and rollover tools
Learn moreIncome, not just a number
Retirement planning is really about income: will your savings plus Social Security cover your spending? We work out how much must come from your portfolio, apply the 4% rule to your projected nest egg, and show whether there’s a gap to close.
How it’s calculated & sources
Income needed from savings = desired income − Social Security/pension. We project your nest egg (current savings plus contributions at your real return) and assume a 4% withdrawal rate. The target nest egg is the income gap ÷ 4%.
Benchmark: a common goal is replacing 70–80% of pre-retirement income; the 4% rule converts savings into sustainable income (Trinity study).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
Wanting $60,000 with $24,000 from Social Security leaves $36,000 from savings — a $900,000 target. $150,000 plus $1,000/month for 25 years at 5% real grows to roughly $1.3M, covering it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 4% rule still safe?
It’s a durable starting point; some research suggests ~3.5–4%. Lower the withdrawal rate for a longer retirement or more caution.
Should I use a real or nominal return?
Use a real (inflation-adjusted) return so the result is in today’s dollars and matches your spending goal.