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Can I retire at…

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Can I retire at 40?

Retiring at 40 is one of the most popular early retirement goals. It typically takes 12 to 15 years of serious saving, and your money may need to last 50 years or more. Enter your numbers below to see if you can retire at 40, or how close you are.

Your retire year

2042

You could retire at 44. That's 16 years from now.

You'll need about $1,198,800 saved, in today's dollars.

To retire at 40, save about $6,060/month (you're saving $4,000 now).

How to retire sooner

About you

Rough numbers are fine. You can change them any time.

years
$/yr

Before taxes. Used for your employer match, and so you can save a % of your pay.

$

401(k), IRA and other investments. Not your home.

$/mo

That's about 44% of your salary.

$/yr

In today's dollars. Not sure? Take what you spend each month and multiply by 12.

$/mo

Find your estimate at ssa.gov/myaccount. Enter 0 to leave it out.

7%

Before inflation. Mostly stocks has averaged roughly 7–10% over long periods; mostly bonds, less.

More options
%

As a share of what you save. 50% means your employer adds $50 for every $100.

% of salary

A common plan is a 50% match on savings up to 6% of pay. Enter 0 for no limit.

%

Your salary and what you save grow by this much each year.

%

Between 62 and 70. Waiting longer means bigger checks.

%

How much of your savings you take out in year one. The "4% rule" is a common starting point.

Your savings over time

You can retire when your savings (green) reach what you need (dashed).

Your savingsAmount needed to retire at that age

Ways to retire sooner

Small changes add up. Tap "Try it" to see the new result.

    Where your money comes from

    What we assumed

      See year by year
      AgeYearTotal addedGrowthBalance

      Retiring at 40: the timeline

      Age Milestone
      40 Stop working. Live on taxable savings and Roth IRA contributions
      55 Rule of 55 only applies if you’re still working for that employer in the year you turn 55, so usually not useful here
      59½ 401(k) and IRA withdrawals without the 10% penalty
      62–70 Social Security, whenever you choose to claim
      65 Medicare

      The first 20 years are the hardest to fund, which is why the calculator adds the Social Security gap to your target and why having money outside retirement accounts matters.

      Small changes, big difference

      Over 12 years, an extra $500 a month or a 10% lower spending goal can move your retire year by a year or more. The “Ways to retire sooner” box above shows exactly how much each change helps.

      Frequently asked questions

      How much do I need to retire at 40?

      For $45,000 a year at a cautious 3.5% withdrawal rate, roughly $840,000 after Social Security, plus enough to cover the 27 years before it starts at 67. The calculator's estimate is about $1.26 million in today's dollars.

      Is $1 million enough to retire at 40?

      At a 3.5% withdrawal rate, $1 million supports about $35,000 a year. It can be enough for a modest lifestyle, especially once Social Security starts, but it leaves less room for surprises over a 50-year retirement.

      How much Social Security will I get if I retire at 40?

      Your benefit is based on your 35 highest-earning years, so stopping at 40 usually means a smaller check than working to 65. This page assumes $1,300/month as a placeholder. Get your personal estimate at ssa.gov/myaccount.

      What's the best withdrawal rate for retiring at 40?

      Many early retirees use 3.25% to 3.5%, since the 4% rule was designed for about 30 years. This page defaults to 3.5%. Try other rates under Advanced options.

      Keep going

      Sources