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Retirement Income Gap Calculator

Will your money last? Compare your desired retirement income to what your savings and Social Security will actually provide.

Example: with Desired annual income in retirement $60,000 · Social Security + pension / year $24,000 · Current retirement savings $150,000 · Monthly contribution $1,000 → Income needed from savings: $36,000 / yr.

  • Projected nest egg$1,117,703
  • Savings will provide (4% rule)$44,708 / yr
  • Nest egg target$900,000

Computed by the calculator below using its default values. Change any input to see your own numbers.

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Annual income gap
Income needed from savings
Projected nest egg
Savings will provide (4% rule)
Nest egg target

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Income, 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.

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.