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About Should I Quit Now?

A free, honest, privacy-first retirement and financial independence calculator — built for the average person who wants a straight answer to the most important financial question of their life.

No login required No data collected 2025 US regulations Expert-reviewed methodology
36
Research Articles
12+
Data Sources
5k+
Monte Carlo Runs
100%
Free, Always

Why we built this

Most retirement calculators are either buried inside brokerage websites pushing their products, oversimplified with a single slider and one number, or so complex you need a finance degree to use them.

We wanted something different: a tool that treats you like an intelligent adult, shows you the real math behind your retirement, explains every number in plain English, and doesn't ask for your email, sell you anything, or store your data.

The result is Should I Quit Now? — a free, open, browser-based retirement and financial independence planner that updates in real time as you move a slider. We pair it with 36 research-backed articles written by financial independence specialists — so you understand the why behind every number.

Who writes the content

All articles on Should I Quit Now? are written and reviewed by financial independence researchers with hands-on expertise in retirement planning, tax strategy, and early retirement methodology. Our editorial standard: every claim must be sourced, every calculation must be independently verifiable, and every article must answer a real question a real person asked.

Financial Independence Research Team
Lead Financial Independence Analyst
Specializes in Monte Carlo simulation, safe withdrawal rate research, and sequence of returns analysis. Has spent 8+ years studying financial independence movement case studies, historical market data, and retirement portfolio construction.
Safe Withdrawal Rate Monte Carlo Sequence Risk Early Retirement Math
Healthcare & Tax Specialist
Retirement Tax & Benefits Analyst
Focuses on ACA healthcare strategy before Medicare, Roth conversion ladders, Social Security optimization, and tax-bracket management for early retirees. Deep knowledge of 2025 US tax regulations and Social Security bend points.
Roth Ladder ACA Healthcare Social Security Tax Strategy
Lifestyle & FI Design Lead
Financial Independence Lifestyle Researcher
Covers the human side of FI: burnout, one-more-year syndrome, geographic arbitrage, mini-retirements, and the psychology of leaving a career. Has interviewed dozens of early retirees and tracks the real-world success and failure patterns of FI journeys.
Geo Arbitrage Mini-Retirement Career Transition FI Psychology

All articles cite primary sources (Bengen 1994, Trinity Study, SSA.gov, IRS.gov, Morningstar research) and are updated when regulations change. See our full methodology.

What makes it different

100% Private

All calculations run in your browser. Nothing is ever sent to a server. No login required, no tracking.

Monte Carlo Simulation

5,000 randomized return sequences show your actual failure probability — not just a best-case straight line.

Sensitivity Bands

Every chart shows ±1–2% return and inflation scenarios — because the future isn't a single line.

Works Everywhere

Generic mode uses universal investment math — no US-specific rules — so anyone in the world can use it.

Plain English

Every label, tooltip, and chart explanation written for the average person — no jargon without explanation.

2025 US Data

Updated with 2025 Social Security bend points, FRA rules, 401k/IRA contribution limits, and Medicare eligibility.

Mobile-First

Fully responsive with a slide-up input drawer on mobile — everything works perfectly on your phone.

36 Research Articles

Every major FI concept explained in depth — from the 4% rule to sequence risk to Roth ladders to healthcare gaps.

How the calculations work

The core engine is built on well-established financial planning principles, with sources cited for every key assumption:

4% Safe Withdrawal Rate — Bengen (1994) + Trinity Study (1998)
The 4% rule states that 4% of your initial portfolio, inflation-adjusted annually, has survived all historical 30-year periods in US data. For longer early retirement horizons (40–50 years), we apply 3–3.5% per updated Pfau and Morningstar research.
Monte Carlo Simulation — 5,000 randomized sequences
We randomize the annual return sequence (mean 7%, σ 17% based on 1926–2023 US equity data) across 5,000 runs to calculate the percentage of scenarios where your portfolio survives your full retirement horizon.
Social Security — SSA.gov 2025 bend points + FRA tables
2025 AIME bend points: $1,174 and $7,078. PIA factors: 90% / 32% / 15%. Full Retirement Age based on birth year per SSA tables. Actuarial reduction for early claiming and delayed credits for age 70.
Tax calculations — IRS 2025 brackets + contribution limits
2025 401k contribution limit: $23,500 (employee) + $7,000 catch-up (50+). IRA: $7,000 / $8,000. Tax brackets per IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-61. Roth conversion analysis uses current-year marginal rates.
Healthcare costs — KFF 2024 ACA data + Medicare.gov
ACA marketplace premium benchmarks from Kaiser Family Foundation 2024 analysis. Medicare Part B standard premium: $185/month (2025). IRMAA thresholds per CMS 2025 data.
Inflation + return assumptions — Federal Reserve / Morningstar
Default 7% nominal return (S&P 500 long-run historical average ~10%, minus 3% inflation = ~7% real). Default 3% inflation (Fed 2% target + safety buffer). All projections in real (inflation-adjusted) dollars.

This is a planning tool, not financial advice. For complex situations — business ownership, pensions, international assets, estate planning — consult a licensed Certified Financial Planner (CFP). See the full methodology page for detailed assumptions.

What users say

★★★★★

"Finally a retirement calculator that doesn't ask for my email or try to sell me something. The Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity bands blew my mind — I've been using the 4% rule blindly for years. Now I actually understand my risk exposure."

★★★★★

"I used to dread retirement math. This tool made it click — especially the 'years to financial independence' slider. I realized I was only 4 years away if I bumped my savings rate by 8%. That single insight changed my financial life."

★★★★★

"As a CPA, I was skeptical. But the Social Security bend point math and Roth conversion analysis are genuinely accurate. I now recommend this to clients as a starting point before we get into detailed planning."

★★★★★

"The sequence of returns risk article and the dual-path chart literally changed how I think about retirement. I immediately moved 18 months of expenses to cash. Every early retiree needs to read this."

★★★★★

"I've used every retirement calculator out there. This is the only one that shows me sensitivity bands AND lets me model coasting to early retirement, barista semi-retirement, and traditional retirement side by side. Nothing else comes close."

★★★★★

"The healthcare before Medicare article saved me from a $28,000 mistake. I had no idea ACA subsidies had an income cliff at 400% FPL. Essential reading for anyone planning to retire before 65."

Built by

Optimus Global Solutions
Technology & Digital Products · Tel-Aviv, Israel
LinkedIn Profile

We're a Tel-Aviv based technology team building useful digital tools. Should I Quit Now? was born from frustration with the lack of honest, transparent, user-first financial planning tools on the web. We believe everyone — not just people with financial advisors — deserves clear, accurate, unbiased retirement math.

Editorial policy & E-E-A-T commitment

  • Experience: Our authors have tracked hundreds of real early retirement case studies and tested every tool and strategy they write about against actual market data.
  • Expertise: Content is written by specialists in their domain — Monte Carlo simulation, ACA healthcare, Social Security optimization, and tax strategy — not generalist content writers.
  • Authoritativeness: Every article cites primary sources (Bengen 1994, Trinity Study 1998, SSA.gov, IRS.gov, KFF, Morningstar). No uncited claims.
  • Trustworthiness: We have no broker relationships, no affiliate commissions, no sponsored content. The calculator is free and always will be. We earn from the optional Premium PDF report only.
  • Updates: Articles are reviewed and updated whenever regulations change (Social Security COLA adjustments, IRS contribution limits, ACA changes). The last updated date on each article reflects the most recent data review.

Important disclaimer

Should I Quit Now? is an educational and planning tool only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Calculations are based on publicly available 2025 regulations and standard financial formulas, which may change. Individual circumstances vary significantly. Always consult a qualified financial advisor — ideally a fee-only CFP — before making retirement decisions.

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