How Much Do I Need to Save Per Month to Retire?
Enter your target retirement age and current savings. We'll calculate exactly how much you need to save each month to hit your FIRE number.
Fill in your details above to see your required monthly savings.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I save per month to retire at 50?
It depends on your current savings, target expenses, and expected return. A common rule of thumb: if you need $1.5M to retire and have 20 years, you'd need to save roughly $3,000–$4,000/month at 7% returns — assuming you're starting from zero. The calculator above gives you the exact number based on your situation.
What is a FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the total portfolio size needed to retire and live off investment returns indefinitely. It's calculated as your annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate. At a 4% withdrawal rate, $40,000/year in expenses requires a $1,000,000 portfolio. The formula: FIRE number = (monthly expenses × 12) ÷ withdrawal rate.
Why does the withdrawal rate matter so much?
The withdrawal rate determines your FIRE number directly — and it's multiplicative. Dropping from 4% to 3.5% increases your required portfolio by 14%. Historically, a 4% withdrawal rate has survived 95%+ of 30-year periods in US market data. For early retirees with 40+ year horizons, many use 3–3.5% to be conservative.
Does this calculator account for inflation?
This calculator uses nominal returns (the 7% default includes inflation). To use real (inflation-adjusted) returns, subtract your expected inflation rate from the return — e.g., enter 4.5% instead of 7% if you assume 2.5% inflation. The FIRE number you get will then be in today's dollars. Both approaches are valid; just be consistent.
What if I can't save the required amount?
You have three levers: save more, retire later, or spend less in retirement. Reducing monthly expenses in retirement has a double effect — it lowers your FIRE number AND reduces the monthly savings required to reach it. Even cutting $500/month from retirement expenses can reduce your required savings by over $150,000.
Want the full picture?
The main calculator adds Monte Carlo simulation, Social Security, and a full portfolio projection — so you can see exactly what your retirement looks like year by year.
Use the full FIRE Calculator →