01 — Where You Stand Today
$2,177,950
Projected at retirement
On your current path · age 60
$87,118/yr
Spendable at retirement
In 2057 dollars
That $87,118/yr is worth
In 2026 dollars, after 30 years of 3% inflation
What this means in practice
$2.2M in the bank and $87k/year to spend in retirement sounds great. But after inflation, that's only $35k/year in 2026 buying power. The 2026 poverty line for a family of 4 in American is $33,000. On your current trajectory, you'll spend your retirement pinching pennies literally on the edge of poverty.
Age
30
Existing retirement savings
$50,000
Annual income
$70,000
Company retirement match
3%
% of income invested (aside from company match)
3%
02 — What Changes With A Square one plan
Add $700/month to retirement contributions.
10% ANNUAL RETURN · 3% INFLATION · 30 YEARS
$4,614,416
Balance at age 60
+$2,436,466 vs. current path
$184,577/yr
Spendable at retirement
4% initial withdrawal · nominal
That $184,577/yr is worth
In 2026 dollars, after 30 years of 3% inflation
With a Square One plan, you'll contribute an extra $498,358 of your income to your retirement. With compound interest, that's an extra $2.4M in the bank when you clock out for the last time.
Assumptions
Annual return
10% (S&P 500 historical average)
Income growth
4% per year
Inflation rate
3% per year
Withdrawal rate
4% (widely cited sustainable rate)
Contributions
15% of gross income + 3% employer match
Tax treatment
Tax advantaged (focus on Roth, fund 401k after)
SAME INCOME. $2.4M MORE AT RETIREMENT.
Your current trajectory puts you just above the poverty line in retirement. $700/month more invested, and you'll spend ages 60-100 in comfort, not pinching pennies.
Illustrative sample. Returns are not guaranteed. Not investment advice.