Are You On Track to Retire?
Retirement readiness comes down to three numbers: how much you've saved, how much you contribute each month, and how long until you need to live on that money. Our calculator pulls those inputs together with the most widely accepted withdrawal framework — the 4% rule — and your expected Social Security benefit to produce a single, easy-to-read score from 0 to 100. A score of 80 or higher means you're on track. A score below 60 means you have meaningful work to do, but most gaps can be closed with reasonable adjustments to savings rate, retirement age, or spending goal.
The 4% Rule — The Foundation of Retirement Planning
The 4% rule, also known as the Bengen Rule, was developed by financial planner William Bengen in 1994 using historical stock and bond returns from 1926 onward. It states that retirees can withdraw 4% of their portfolio in year one, then adjust that withdrawal for inflation each subsequent year, and have a high probability of the portfolio lasting 30 years. A $1 million portfolio supports $40,000 per year in retirement income — about $3,333 per month. More conservative planners use 3% to extend confidence to 40+ year retirements; more aggressive planners use 5%.
2026 Retirement Contribution Limits
- 401(k), 403(b), 457(b): $24,500 standard limit
- 401(k) catch-up (age 50+): $32,500 total
- 401(k) super catch-up (age 60–63, SECURE 2.0): $35,750 total
- IRA / Roth IRA: $7,500 standard limit
- IRA catch-up (age 50+): $8,500 total
- Roth IRA phase-out: $153,000–$168,000 single / $242,000–$252,000 married