How Long Until I Can Retire? Savings Rate Calculator
The years until you can retire depend almost entirely on what share of your take-home pay you save. Move the slider to see your answer, and how much sooner each extra 5% gets you there.
E.g. $150K saved on $75K take-home = 2.
| Savings rate | Years to retire |
|---|---|
| 10% | 51.4 |
| 15% | 42.8 |
| 20% | 36.7 |
| 25% | 31.9 |
| 30% | 28.0 |
| 35% | 24.6 |
| 40% | 21.6 |
| 45% | 19.0 |
| 50% | 16.6 |
| 55% | 14.4 |
| 60% | 12.4 |
| 65% | 10.5 |
| 70% | 8.8 |
| 75% | 7.1 |
| 80% | 5.6 |
The math behind it
If you save a fraction s of income, you spend (1 − s). You are financially independent when your portfolio reaches (1 − s) ÷ withdrawal rate years of income. Growing contributions at the real return, the years needed are log((target × r + s) ÷ (start × r + s)) ÷ log(1 + r). This is the “shockingly simple math” popularized by Mr. Money Mustache.
Frequently asked questions
How long until I can retire?
It depends mostly on your savings rate. Starting from zero with a 5% real return and the 4% rule: saving 10% takes about 51 years, 25% about 32 years, 50% about 17 years and 75% about 7 years.
Why doesn’t my income matter?
A higher savings rate helps twice: you invest more, and you need less, because you have proven you can live on less. Income only matters through how much of it you keep.
What counts as savings rate?
Savings rate = (take-home pay − spending) ÷ take-home pay. Include 401(k) and IRA contributions in both savings and take-home pay for an accurate number.
More calculators
- FIRE calculator Your FI number and the age you can retire.
- Coast FIRE calculator When you can stop saving and coast.
- Compound interest calculator Growth from monthly investing over time.
- Safe withdrawal rate calculator Odds your portfolio outlasts you.
- Dividend income calculator Your future dividend income.
For education only, not financial advice. Returns are assumptions, not promises; all figures are in today's dollars.