what is left at the end

An ordinary salary, saved steadily for forty years, can leave more behind than it ever earned.

This plan earns $65,000 a year from 25, saves 12% with a 4% match, retires at 65 and spends $55,000 a year. Across every start year since 1871 it never ran out, and the middle ending is $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: An ordinary salary, saved steadily for forty years, can leave more behind than it ever earned.

Slide 2 of 6: Every start year since 1871, and not one runs out.

Slide 3 of 6: What went in, and what was left.

Slide 4 of 6: Left behind, in today's money.

Slide 5 of 6: Seventy-five years is long enough for compounding to do most of the work.

Slide 6 of 6: Save this for the day you wonder whether it is worth it.

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: Shiller monthly series 1871-2026, 81 start years. Plan: $65,000 at 25, 12% plus a 4% match, $3,000 Roth, retiring at 65 on $55,000 a year.; Engine output, 2026 dollars. Earnings and contributions summed over the forty working years on the expected path; endings from the backtest.; Backtest of the example plan. The 10th percentile is $3.03M, the 90th is $8.30M..

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