Financial Finish Line Planner — Your Summary

Christian Finance Academy · Module 5 · Generated

Where's your finish line — and are you on track to reach it?

Your "number" is the portfolio that lets work become optional. This planner works it out from the income you want, shows where your current trajectory lands, and tells you the two things that close any gap: save a little more, or give it a little more time.

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough to complete it?" Luke 14:28

1Your finish line — the number

The income you'd like in retirement, less the income that's already guaranteed. We turn the rest into a target pot using the 4% rule taught in Topic 6.

Desired annual retirement income (today's money)

What you'd like to spend each year. Think in today's prices — the maths below is all in real (after-inflation) terms.

State Pension (annual)

Full new State Pension 2026/27 is £12,548. Set to £0 if you'd rather exclude it.

Other guaranteed income (annual)

Defined-benefit pension, rental income, annuity — income you'll receive regardless of markets.

Safe withdrawal rate

4.0% pot multiplier × 25.0

Common starting point (Trinity Study)

The 4% rule (Trinity Study) is the common starting point. Topic 6 notes that longer retirements — e.g. retiring before 60, or planning to 95 — are safer at 3–3.5%. Slide up to see what a more aggressive rate does to your number, or down for a more cautious one.

Add a later-life care reserve
Topic 6's most-omitted phase. Residential care can run £35,000–£55,000+ a year. Adds a one-off reserve to your target.

2Where you are now

Your current position and the engine that gets you to the line: time, contributions, and growth.

Current age

Finish-line age

The age you'd like work to become optional.

Current invested pot (pensions + ISAs + investments)

Monthly contribution (total across all accounts)

Include your contributions and any employer contributions you receive.

Expected return, after inflation (real)

Real returns keep everything in today's money. A globally diversified equity-heavy portfolio has historically delivered roughly 5% after inflation — but returns vary and are never guaranteed.

Your number — the finish line

£786,300

to fund £31,452/yr from your portfolio at 4%

The 4% rule — historically sustainable over a ~30-year retirement

🏃

🏁

Today55% of targetFinish

🎯On your current path you'll reach 55% of your number.

Projected at finish line

£430,000

Income at this rate

£17,200/yr

＋

⏳

🪙 The quiet cost of fees

This is an illustration, not financial advice. The Financial Finish Line Planner uses the 4% rule (Trinity Study, 1998) and fixed real-return assumptions to project a possible outcome — it is a planning guide, not a guarantee. Real investment returns vary year to year, the order of those returns matters (sequence-of-returns risk, Topic 6), and figures such as the State Pension and tax rules change over time. All projections are in today's money and assume contributions rise with inflation. Verify current State Pension and allowance figures at gov.uk. For a plan tailored to your circumstances, speak to a regulated financial adviser. Christian Finance Academy · Module 5: Investing · Topic 6: Retirement Planning.