How accurate is this calculator?

This tool uses standard, conservative financial planning principles to project your future. It assumes a 7% nominal investment return (after fees), a 3% annual inflation rate, and relies on the famous "4% rule" to determine your final target number.

The 4% rule is a widely accepted guideline that suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your total retirement portfolio in your first year of retirement, adjust for inflation each year after, and have a very high probability of your money lasting at least 30 years without running out.

Does this work outside the US?

Yes. Every field is currency-neutral, and the optional 'guaranteed retirement income' field works for Social Security (US), the State Pension (UK), CPP/OAS (Canada), Superannuation (Australia), or any other country's public or employer pension. Just enter your expected combined monthly amount.

Does it account for Social Security or a pension?

Only if you enter it. Click "Add Social Security, a pension, or your own numbers" under the form to enter your expected combined monthly guaranteed income. We'll subtract it from what you need to fund yourself, so the target reflects only the gap your own savings actually need to cover.

Should we save in joint or separate accounts?

That's entirely up to you! Halfway is built specifically for couples who like to keep their finances separate but manage their goals together. You can each save in your own 401(k)s, IRAs, or brokerage accounts while tracking your combined progress toward this shared retirement goal.

What if we want to retire at different ages?

For the most robust couple's plan, this calculator uses the younger partner's age and your target retirement age to ensure the portfolio is large enough to support both of you when the younger partner stops working. If one partner retires early, the required savings might shift.

How does compound interest really work?

Compound interest is when your money earns money, and then those earnings earn even more money! That's why starting early is so powerful. As shown in our "Procrastination Tax" calculation, waiting just 5 years means you have to save significantly more every month to reach the exact same goal, because you lose out on 5 years of free growth.

How much money does a couple need to retire comfortably?

A common benchmark is the 25x rule - multiply your expected annual expenses in retirement by 25 to get your target savings. For a couple spending $60,000 per year, that's $1.5 million. But "comfortable" varies wildly by location, lifestyle, and healthcare needs. This calculator personalizes the number based on your specific situation and desired retirement lifestyle.

Can we retire early if we save aggressively now?

Absolutely. The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement shows it's possible for couples to retire in their 40s or 50s by saving 50% or more of their income and investing wisely. The key is the gap between what you earn and what you spend. Even saving 25-30% can dramatically move up your retirement date compared to the typical 10-15%.

Should we save for retirement together or separately?

Most financial advisors recommend each partner maxing out their own tax-advantaged accounts first (401k, IRA) since these have individual contribution limits. You can still coordinate your strategy as a team by tracking combined progress. Some couples also open a joint brokerage account for additional savings beyond retirement accounts.

FREE CALCULATOR

The 'Never Work Again' Calculator

Imagine waking up and never having to work again. Here's exactly what that takes for you two, and how to get there.

First things first, what's your retirement vibe?

What's your retirement vibe?

This helps us estimate how much you'll spend in retirement.

Tell us about you two

Partner 1 Name

Partner 2 Name

How old is Partner 1?

How old is Partner 2?

What does Partner 1 earn? (Annual)

What does Partner 2 earn? (Annual)

How much have you saved so far?

When do you want to retire?

Any big dreams?

Your Never Work Again Number

This is the total nest egg you two need to retire comfortably, adjusted for inflation.

Your current savings are on pace to cover 6% of this by then.

🚗 206 Tesla Model 3s✈️ 585 Round-the-world trips🏝️ 4,388 Bali vacations

Monthly Savings Needed

$3,924/mo

Partner 1: $2,269

Partner 2: $1,655

Based on your income split (58% / 42%)

Total over 37 years: $1.7M. The rest is compound interest! 📈

The Procrastination Tax

If you wait 5 more years to start saving:
Start today: $3,924/mo.
Wait 5 years: $4,915/mo.

That's $991 more per month (25% extra).

Retirement Countdown

13,505

days to go

Time to make them count!

Success Probability

52%

chance your money lasts

Based on your savings rate vs. income

Your Money's Journey

🎉

First $100K

Sep 2027

$100K

🔥

Half a Million

Sep 2033

$500K

💪

Two Comma Club ($1M)

Oct 2038

$1M

🏆

Retirement Goal!

Aug 2063

$8.8M

"What If" Playground

Tweak the numbers to see how it changes your reality.

Retirement Age65 years

What if you saved...$3,924/mo

Expected Return Rate7%

Social Security / pension (monthly)$0/mo

Retirement Goal$8.8M

Years to Save36.9 (On track)

Our Retirement Goal🏖️

$8.8M

Saving:$3,924/mo

Retiring in:37 yrs

Built with @HalfwayApp

You're 37 years away.

That feels far, but compound interest is your secret weapon. The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is today.

You've seen the projection. Now build toward it.

Halfway keeps your separate investments, shared goals, and everyday expenses in one place, together.

Get started free

Frequently Asked Questions

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The 'Never Work Again' Calculator

First things first, what's your retirement vibe?

What's your retirement vibe?

Beach Bums

Comfortable Coasters

Luxury Lifers

FIRE Fanatics

Tell us about you two

Your Never Work Again Number

Monthly Savings Needed

The Procrastination Tax

Retirement Countdown

Success Probability

Your Money's Journey

First $100K

Half a Million

Two Comma Club ($1M)

Retirement Goal!

"What If" Playground

You're 37 years away.

You've seen the projection. Now build toward it.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Free Calculators for Couples

Income Split Calculator

Couples Budget Calculator

Couples Mortgage Calculator

Debt Payoff Calculator

Net Worth Calculator

Wedding Budget Calculator

The 'Never Work Again' Calculator

First things first, what's your retirement vibe?

What's your retirement vibe?

Beach Bums

Comfortable Coasters

Luxury Lifers

FIRE Fanatics

Tell us about you two

Your Never Work Again Number

Monthly Savings Needed

The Procrastination Tax

Retirement Countdown

Success Probability

Your Money's Journey

First $100K

Half a Million

Two Comma Club ($1M)

Retirement Goal!

"What If" Playground

You're 37 years away.

You've seen the projection. Now build toward it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this calculator?

What's the 4% rule?

Does this work outside the US?

Does it account for Social Security or a pension?

Should we save in joint or separate accounts?

What if we want to retire at different ages?

How does compound interest really work?

How much money does a couple need to retire comfortably?

Can we retire early if we save aggressively now?

Should we save for retirement together or separately?

More Free Calculators for Couples

Income Split Calculator

Couples Budget Calculator

Couples Mortgage Calculator

Debt Payoff Calculator

Net Worth Calculator

Wedding Budget Calculator