Today’s dollars matter
The calculator asks for spending in today’s dollars so you can compare future years against a familiar baseline.
Guide
Inflation and retirement.
Inflation changes what your money can buy, which is why retirement planning is about purchasing power, not just account balances.
Inflation compounds
Even modest inflation grows over time. A plan that looks fine today can feel tight later if spending is not adjusted.
Use realistic assumptions
A guess that is too low or too high can distort the result. Review your assumptions yearly and update the scenario when life changes.
Test the assumption
Try the calculator with different inflation rates to see how sensitive your retirement date is to price growth. That sensitivity often matters more than the exact starting balance.
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