Retirement Calculator

Are You on Track? The Fidelity Benchmarks

The most widely-cited retirement readiness benchmarks come from Fidelity: save 1× your salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by age 67. These assume retiring at 67 and needing 80% of pre-retirement income. If you are behind, the calculator above shows exactly how much more you need to contribute to close the gap.

The 4% Rule for Retirement Income

The 4% rule, derived from the Trinity Study, says you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each year, with high probability your money lasts 30+ years. At $1,000,000: $40,000/year ($3,333/month). At $1,500,000: $60,000/year ($5,000/month). Add your estimated Social Security benefit to get your total retirement income.

2026 Contribution Limits and Free Money

The 401(k) limit is $24,500 in 2026 ($32,500 if 50+). Roth IRA limit is $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+). Contributing enough to capture your full employer match is the highest-return financial move available — a 50%–100% instant return before your money even starts growing. Max the match before any other financial goal except high-interest debt payoff. On a $75,000 salary with a 50% match up to 6%, that’s $2,250/year in free money you leave on the table if you don’t contribute at least 6%. Use our Compound Interest Calculator to see exactly what that free money compounds to over your working years.

Social Security Timing

Claiming Social Security at 62 reduces your benefit by about 30% versus claiming at full retirement age (67 for anyone born in 1960 or later). Delaying until 70 increases your benefit by about 24% above full retirement age. On the average $2,071/month benefit, that is about $497/month more — for life — by waiting 3 extra years. If you’re in good health and can afford to wait, delaying Social Security is often the highest-return financial decision available — a guaranteed 8%/year increase for each year you defer past full retirement age.