Projecting income needed for retirement is a difficult task. It requires looking into the future for decades and matching anticipated needs with the resources you expect to have available. Most retirement calculators assume that current spending levels will increase each year due to inflation. Even with moderate inflation assumptions, the result is often a discouragingly unrealistic retirement plan.In reality, retirement spending data show that most households naturally spend less as they age. This calculator allows you to take this essential fact into account in preparing your plan. The calculator is designed to project, based on information you provide, a realistic appraisal of your retirement spending needs and the savings goal needed to meet these needs. The calculator also provides a comparison with the more traditional retirement planning approach.