What is HowMuchToRetire?
HowMuchToRetire is a free calculator that answers the most important retirement planning question: how much do you actually need?
Most retirement tools ask “when can I retire?” — we ask a different question. You tell us when you want to stop working and what lifestyle you want, and we tell you the exact pot size you need to get there, and how much you need to save each month to hit it.
How the calculator works
We run a year-by-year drawdown simulation from your retirement age to your planned end-of-life age. Each year we deduct your desired spending (reduced by state pension once it kicks in), apply your chosen growth rate, and check whether the pot survives. We use binary search to find the exact starting pot that lasts precisely to your planned age — more accurate than the simple 4%-rule multiple most calculators use.
All figures are in today’s money (real terms, after inflation). Growth rates are net of inflation.
Who is this for?
Anyone planning retirement in the UK — whether you’re early in your career and want to know what you’re aiming for, or approaching retirement and want to know if you’re on track.
Is this financial advice?
No. HowMuchToRetire is an educational calculator. Nothing here constitutes financial advice. Always speak to an independent financial adviser before making significant investment or retirement decisions.
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