Retirement Calculator Guides
Step by step guides with worked examples for the Retirement Calculator.
2026 401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits
The 2026 IRS contribution limits for 401(k)s, IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP plans, including catch up contributions for savers 50 and older.
Read the guide →How Does the Retirement Calculator Work?
Understand the math behind the retirement calculator: future value, compounding, inflation adjustment, employer matches, and the 4 percent rule.
Read the guide →How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?
A practical way to figure out how much you need to retire: the 25 times rule, income replacement, and how to turn your target into a monthly savings plan.
Read the guide →Retirement Income Sources and Withdrawal Strategies
Combine Social Security, pensions, 401(k)s, and IRAs into a reliable retirement paycheck. Compare the 4 percent rule, buckets, and annuities.
Read the guide →The 4 Percent Rule
What is the 4 percent rule and does it still work? Learn how much you can safely withdraw from your nest egg each year, with the math and the caveats.
Read the guide →When Should I Take Social Security?
Deciding when to start Social Security is one of the biggest retirement decisions. Learn how claiming at 62, 67, or 70 changes your monthly benefit.
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