When can I
log off?
Your out-of-office could become permanent.
Let’s run the numbers.
Your age today, in whole years.
Investments for retirement. Leave out your home and emergency cash.
Include any employer match. In today’s dollars.
What your investments need to cover each year, including taxes and healthcare. Today’s dollars.
Adjust the assumptions
Hypothetical yearly growth, after inflation and investment fees. Not a forecast.
First-year spending ÷ portfolio target. Lower means a bigger target. No rate is guaranteed to last.
Contributions stay constant in buying power, so the dollar amount you invest rises with inflation. No withdrawals are modeled before reaching the target.
About 31 years, 4 months from now.
A very long notice period.
$40,000 a year ÷ 4% = $1,000,000 target. Growth assumes 5% a year after inflation and fees. Totals shown at the target date.
What if I put in more?
That could bring the target 1 year, 4 months closer. Same assumptions. Fewer calendar invites.
How the math works & what it leaves out
This is a savings-target illustration in today’s US dollars. Target = annual spending ÷ the chosen starting withdrawal rate. Growth compounds monthly using the equivalent monthly rate, with contributions added at the end of each month. The projection stops at the target or age 100.
A steady return is a simplification. Markets vary, and this does not test whether your portfolio lasts through retirement. It omits pensions, Social Security, tax differences between accounts, withdrawal restrictions, and the effect of market losses near retirement. Include expected taxes and healthcare in your spending estimate.
The default 5% return above inflation and 4% starting withdrawal rate are editable examples, not recommendations. This is educational, not personal financial advice.
For more background: Investor.gov’s compound interest calculator and managing retirement income.