Build a savings picture first
Enter what you have, what you expect to add and a planning horizon. The retirement worksheet then models withdrawals from the projected pot. The output is a scenario, not a verdict on whether you can retire.
Start with the amount the portfolio must provide
Your spending budget and income from pensions or other sources are separate pieces of a retirement plan. Enter the part you want this pot to fund. The worksheet does not calculate CPP, OAS, QPP or an employer pension for you.
Inflation changes the withdrawal
The first monthly withdrawal can be increased annually by an inflation assumption. A flat nominal withdrawal buys less if prices rise. Review the full withdrawal ledger rather than only the ending balance.
Constant returns hide sequence risk
The same return is applied every month. Real investments can fall, particularly early in retirement while withdrawals continue. A positive ending balance here does not prove that a market-exposed portfolio is safe or that income will last for life.
Take this little checklist with you.
- Model the amount this pot must fund.
- Try lower returns and higher withdrawals.
- Review pensions, tax, longevity and investment risk separately.
Check your print preview before saving or printing.