Financial independence is a number, not a feeling: the amount that lets a safe withdrawal rate cover your annual spending, indefinitely. See how many years away it is.
The whole idea
Cutting recurring costs shrinks this twice: less to save, and less needed at the end.
The 4% figure traces back to William Bengen’s research in the 1990s and the later Trinity study, both built on historical US market returns over rolling 30-year retirements. It held up well historically; it is not a promise about the future or about markets outside the US.
Worth knowing
Test a conservative case too
A 1% lower expected return meaningfully changes the years figure, so run this twice: once optimistic, once cautious.
Common mistake
Counting a primary home in the number
You can’t withdraw 4% a year from a house you live in. Keep this to investable assets.
Curious what a specific goal costs per month instead? Try the savings goal calculator.
This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere, stored, or logged; reload the page and it is gone. It is provided for general information only and is not financial, tax or investment advice. This tool illustrates compound-growth arithmetic on the numbers you enter and is not a return forecast, retirement plan or investment recommendation. Results are estimates: always check figures against your own statements, employer, lender or a qualified professional before acting on them.
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