what is left at the end

The worst year in a century and a half to start this plan still left $2.4M behind.

Start it in 1907, the unluckiest year in the data, and the family still inherits $2.4M in today's money. Start it in the middle of history and they inherit $5.76M.

You asked for the link. The planner every chart came from is one tap away; the slides are below if you want them again.

Open the planner Type in one paycheck. About three minutes, in the browser.

Slide 1 of 6: The worst year in a century and a half to start this plan still left $2.4M behind.

Slide 2 of 6: Worst, middle and best of 81 start years.

Slide 3 of 6: A thousand random runs: the band, and the few that fell out of it.

Slide 4 of 6: Plan on the floor, and the ceiling takes care of itself.

Slide 5 of 6: It can feel like this needs a windfall, and this plan has none in it.

Slide 6 of 6: Save this for the day you feel behind.

Where to go next

Retire Plan

Type in one paycheck and it runs your plan through every year of market history since 1871, with the taxes worked out. About three minutes, in the browser.

Open it

Sources: Backtest of the example plan across every start year since 1871. The 10th percentile is $3.03M.; Block bootstrap from Shiller 1871-2026, seed fixed. Plan: $65,000 at 25, retiring at 65 on $55,000 a year..

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