Financial Independence Calculator
Estimate your financial-independence portfolio target and how long it may take to reach it based on current investments, monthly contributions and an expected return after inflation.
FI snapshot
Results are estimates for informational purposes only. Verify important financial, tax, real-estate or retirement decisions with a qualified professional.
How the financial independence calculator works
Your FI number is annual spending divided by your withdrawal-rate assumption. The time-to-target estimate then grows your current portfolio and monthly contributions using the real return you enter, meaning return after inflation.
Because the target is directly tied to annual spending, reducing recurring expenses both lowers the portfolio target and can free more cash to invest.
How to interpret the result
The projected timeline assumes a smooth average return. Real markets are uneven, so use the result as a planning scenario rather than a promised date.
Frequently asked questions
What is a financial independence number?
It is a rough portfolio target based on annual spending divided by a chosen withdrawal rate.
Why use real return instead of nominal return?
A real return is the return after inflation. Using it keeps the target and growth projection in today’s purchasing-power terms.
Does this include Social Security or pension income?
No. For simplicity, this version assumes the portfolio supports the full spending amount. You can reduce the spending input if you want to approximate reliable future income.
Is a 4% withdrawal rate guaranteed?
No. It is a commonly discussed planning heuristic, not a guarantee. Appropriate withdrawal rates depend on retirement length, asset allocation and market outcomes.
What if the calculator says I will never reach the target?
That usually means the contribution and return assumptions are not enough within the 100-year simulation horizon. Raising savings, reducing spending or changing assumptions changes the projection.