Pick a rate that matches your own costs if you can. Published measures describe typical prices, but your rent or healthcare may rise differently.

Each year, the same money buys a little less because prices have gone up. The calculator shows that drop as a smaller amount.

No. Taxes on interest or investment gains are not included.

Prices can fall for a time, but this calculator accepts only zero or higher to keep it simple. Use zero if you expect no change.

Growing savings faster than prices is one approach, but returns are not guaranteed and can fall. Reviewing your plan each year helps you decide what to change.