Retirement Hub
Compare retirement savings assumptions and understand what changes the outcome.
Educational use only: calculators are estimates and do not replace lender quotes, tax advice, investment advice, or professional guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
How should I use this hub?
Start with the calculator closest to your question, then compare several assumptions before making decisions.
Are results exact?
No. They are estimates based on your inputs. Real products may include taxes, fees, variable rates, and other limits.
Planning for retirement
Retirement planning is essentially a long-term savings and investment problem: accumulate enough assets that the returns can sustain your lifestyle without requiring active income. The two biggest variables are how much you save and how early you start — time in the market has an enormous compounding effect.
Employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s are the most common retirement savings vehicles in the United States. Contributions are typically pre-tax (traditional) or after-tax (Roth), and many employers offer matching contributions — free money that represents an immediate 50–100% return on the matched amount. Contributing at least enough to capture the full employer match is widely considered a financial priority before other savings goals.
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) — both traditional and Roth — allow additional tax-advantaged savings beyond employer plans. In 2026, the IRA contribution limit is $7,000 per year ($8,000 if you are 50 or older). Income limits apply to Roth IRA contributions and to deductible traditional IRA contributions if you or your spouse has a workplace plan.
The 4% rule is a common retirement withdrawal guideline: in retirement, withdrawing 4% of your portfolio annually has historically sustained a 30-year retirement in most market scenarios. Under this rule, a $1,000,000 portfolio supports roughly $40,000 per year in withdrawals. Use the retirement calculator to estimate how much you may accumulate based on your current savings rate and time horizon.
Retirement planning milestones by decade
- 20s: Start contributing to employer plan, capture full match, open a Roth IRA if eligible.
- 30s: Increase contribution rate with each raise, eliminate high-interest debt, build emergency fund.
- 40s: Max out tax-advantaged accounts, review asset allocation, estimate Social Security benefit.
- 50s: Use catch-up contributions ($1,000 extra/year in IRA, $7,500 in 401k), stress-test retirement projections.
- 60s: Plan Social Security claiming strategy, shift toward income-focused investments, consult a fee-only financial advisor.
Retirement frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
A common rule of thumb is 25x your expected annual expenses (derived from the 4% rule). If you plan to spend $50,000/year, target $1.25 million. Your actual number depends on Social Security income, healthcare costs, lifestyle, and longevity assumptions.
When can I access my 401(k) without penalty?
Generally at age 59½. Early withdrawals before that age are subject to income tax plus a 10% penalty, with certain exceptions (disability, substantially equal periodic payments, etc.).
Should I choose traditional or Roth contributions?
If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than now, Roth may be better (pay tax now, withdraw tax-free later). If you expect to be in a lower bracket in retirement, traditional may save more overall. Many people benefit from having both types.