Sam · What-If StrategistWhat if I retired 5 years earlier?
Retiring sooner buys you years of freedom — but your savings stop growing earlier and have to stretch further. See the trade-off between freedom and financial security on your own numbers.
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How retiring earlier changes the math
Two things move at once. You give up several years of contributions and compounding, so your nest egg is smaller. And you start drawing it down sooner, so it has to cover more years. The calculator above projects both retirement ages on the same assumptions so you can see the gap in plain dollars and in how long your money lasts.
Questions people ask
How much less will I have if I retire 5 years early?
It depends on how much you contribute and your return, but five fewer years of saving plus five fewer years of compounding usually removes a meaningful share of the final balance — often more than people expect, because the last years before retirement are when compounding does the heaviest lifting. The calculator shows your own figure.
Will my money still last if I retire early?
That comes down to your balance at retirement versus your yearly spending. A smaller balance drawn down over more years runs out sooner. The tool estimates the age your money could last to under each plan so you can see whether the earlier date still works.
Does this account for inflation, taxes or pensions?
No — it's a simplified illustration using one steady return and level spending, with no taxes, pensions or government benefits. It's built to show the shape of the trade-off, not to be a personal plan. Connect your real numbers in the Richify app for a fuller picture.
Related what-ifs
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