Realistic Retirement Calculator

Realistic Retirement Calculator

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.

Current Annual Income ($):		Enter your current gross annual income.

Desired Post-Retirement Income (%):	(As % of Current Income)	Enter the percentage of your current income that you project you will need during retirement to maintain your standard of living. Individual circumstances vary, but here are some general guidelines to help you: Minimum (50% to 60%): This meets the government's minimum level of financial adequacy (defined as one-half of pre-retirement income). Basic (70% to 80%): Will allow for the basics in retirement, particularly if you have employer-paid retiree health insurance. Plan for a retirement with limited money availalble for travel or luxury expenditures. Moderate (80% to 90%): May be required if you will have to pay your own Medicare premiums and/or pay for insurance to cover costs above Medicare. Comfortable (90% to 120%): This level may be needed if you would like a retirement lifestyle that is more comfortable than your current lifestyle.

Assumed Long-term Inflation Rate (%):		Enter the percent you feel that inflation will rise on average during retirement. Since 1913, statistics show an annual average inflation rate of 3.3%. Since 1972, the inflation rate has ran at a 4.78% annual clip. A 2.5% to 5% inflation rate is a reasonable projection for the long-term future.

Average Annual Decrease in Spending (%):
Ages 65-74:		National Average: 2.5%
Ages 75+:		National Average: 2.8%

Current Age:		Enter your current age rounded up to the next whole year.

Desired Retirement Age:		Enter you desired retirement age rounded to the nearest whole year.

Life Expectancy:		Enter the age you expect to live to.

Expected Annual Pension ($):		If you're lucky enough to be vested in a company-provided pension, enter the yearly amount you expect to receive during retirement. Contact your company's benefit office for this information.

Expected Social Security Benefit ($):		Enter the yearly amount you expect to receive from social security during retirement. The social security office sends you a benefit statement each year near your birthday with more precise benefit information. Use this if available. Or, you can request an up to date statement here. Otherwise, you can use these very general guidelines: If you make under $25,000, enter $8,000 If you make between $25,000 - $40,000, enter $12,000 If you make over $40,000, enter $14,500
Age Social Security Begins (Min 62):		Enter the age at which you expect to start receiving social security benefits. Full benefits are available at age 65 and reduced benefits are available at 62.

Assumed Investment Return (%):		Enter the average annual long-term investment return you expect to earn on your retirement savings. The lower the expected rate, the more you'll need to save to meet retirement income goals. The default is 7%.