Ramsey Retirement Calculator

Calculate Your Retirement Needs

Dave Ramsey’s approach to retirement focuses on aggressive saving and investing. This calculator helps you estimate your retirement savings goal based on your current income, desired retirement age, and lifestyle.

What is the Ramsey Retirement Calculator?

The Ramsey Retirement Calculator is a financial tool designed to help individuals estimate the total amount of money they will need to accumulate to live comfortably during their retirement years. Developed with the principles of Dave Ramsey’s financial advice in mind, it emphasizes the importance of disciplined saving, smart investing, and aggressive debt reduction as pathways to financial freedom, including a secure retirement. This calculator is particularly useful for those following Ramsey’s “Baby Steps” or seeking a straightforward method to project their retirement savings goals.

Who should use it? Anyone planning for retirement, especially individuals who are:

• Seeking to understand their retirement savings target.
• In the early to middle stages of their careers and want to plan ahead.
• Looking for a clear, actionable number to work towards.
• Following Dave Ramsey’s financial principles and want a tool aligned with his advice.

Common misconceptions about retirement calculators include thinking they are foolproof guarantees, ignoring the impact of inflation, or underestimating the importance of consistent contributions and realistic investment returns. The Ramsey Retirement Calculator aims to mitigate these by incorporating key variables like inflation and providing a clear framework for saving.

Ramsey Retirement Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The core of the Ramsey Retirement Calculator involves projecting future savings and determining the capital required to generate a desired income stream. While specific implementations may vary, the general principles are as follows:

1. Projecting Future Savings:

This part estimates how much your current savings habits will grow over time due to regular contributions and investment returns. The future value (FV) of an annuity formula is often used:

FV = P * [((1 + r)^n - 1) / r]

Where:

• FV is the future value of your savings.
• P is the periodic payment (annual savings amount).
• r is the periodic interest rate (average annual investment return).
• n is the number of periods (years until retirement).

For simplicity in many calculators, iterative calculations are performed year by year to account for compounding more precisely.

2. Determining Retirement Nest Egg Needed:

This involves calculating the lump sum required to sustain your desired retirement income, considering inflation and withdrawal rates. A common approach uses the concept of the “4% rule” or a similar safe withdrawal rate, adjusted for your specific needs.

Nest Egg = Desired Annual Retirement Income / Safe Withdrawal Rate

However, a more refined calculation incorporates inflation to determine the *actual* income needed at retirement age.

Inflation-Adjusted Annual Income = Desired Annual Income * (1 + Inflation Rate)^Years to Retirement

Then, the nest egg is:

Nest Egg = Inflation-Adjusted Annual Income / Safe Withdrawal Rate

The Ramsey Retirement Calculator often guides users to save aggressively (e.g., 15% of income) to build a substantial nest egg that can support their lifestyle without relying on debt.

Variables Table:

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Current Income	Your gross annual earnings before taxes.	Currency (e.g., USD)	$30,000 – $500,000+
Desired Retirement Age	The age you plan to retire.	Years	50 – 75
Current Age	Your present age.	Years	18 – 70
Annual Savings Rate	Percentage of income saved annually.	%	0% – 25%+ (Ramsey recommends 15%+)
Investment Return Rate	Average annual growth rate of investments.	%	5% – 10% (historically average for diversified portfolios)
Desired Retirement Income %	Retirement income as a percentage of pre-retirement income.	%	60% – 85%
Inflation Rate	Annual increase in the cost of goods and services.	%	2% – 5%

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: Early Career Saver

Scenario: Sarah is 28 years old, earns $60,000 annually, and wants to retire at 65. She diligently saves 15% of her income and targets 80% of her current income for retirement. She estimates an average annual investment return of 8% and an inflation rate of 3%.

Inputs:

• Annual Income: $60,000
• Desired Retirement Age: 65
• Current Age: 28
• Annual Savings Rate: 15%
• Investment Return Rate: 8%
• Desired Retirement Income %: 80%
• Inflation Rate: 3%

Calculation & Interpretation:

Years to Retirement: 65 – 28 = 37 years.

Desired Annual Retirement Income: $60,000 * 0.80 = $48,000 (in today’s dollars).

Annual Savings: $60,000 * 0.15 = $9,000.

The Ramsey Retirement Calculator would project Sarah’s $9,000 annual savings growing at 8% for 37 years, plus her current potential savings (if any), leading to a substantial nest egg. It would also factor in inflation, showing that $48,000 in 37 years will require a significantly larger nominal sum. The output might indicate a target nest egg of approximately $1,000,000 – $1,200,000, depending on the exact withdrawal rate used. This guides Sarah to stay committed to her 15% savings rate.

Example 2: Mid-Career Adjuster

Scenario: Mark is 45, earns $120,000, and aims to retire at 62. He currently saves 10% but wants to see the impact of increasing it. He desires 70% of his current income in retirement. He assumes an 8% investment return and 3% inflation.

Inputs:

• Annual Income: $120,000
• Desired Retirement Age: 62
• Current Age: 45
• Annual Savings Rate: 10% (initially)
• Investment Return Rate: 8%
• Desired Retirement Income %: 70%
• Inflation Rate: 3%

Calculation & Interpretation:

Years to Retirement: 62 – 45 = 17 years.

Desired Annual Retirement Income: $120,000 * 0.70 = $84,000 (in today’s dollars).

Current Annual Savings: $120,000 * 0.10 = $12,000.

If Mark uses the Ramsey Retirement Calculator with these inputs, it might show his projected nest egg is insufficient. For instance, it might calculate a required nest egg of around $1,500,000 (adjusted for inflation). The calculator could then demonstrate that increasing his savings rate to 15% or 20% significantly boosts his projected final savings, potentially bridging the gap. This provides Mark with the motivation to adjust his budget and increase his savings rate to meet his retirement goals, aligning with the key factors influencing retirement outcomes.

How to Use This Ramsey Retirement Calculator

1. Input Current Financial Data: Enter your current annual income, current age, and desired retirement age accurately.
2. Set Savings & Investment Goals: Specify your current annual savings rate as a percentage of your income. Input your expected average annual investment return rate (be realistic).
3. Define Retirement Lifestyle: Enter the percentage of your current income you aim to have annually in retirement. This helps set the target income level.
4. Factor in Inflation: Input an estimated average annual inflation rate. This is crucial for understanding the purchasing power of your savings in the future.
5. Calculate: Click the “Calculate Retirement Needs” button.

How to read results:

• Primary Result (Highlighted): This is your estimated total retirement nest egg needed, adjusted for inflation. It’s the target amount you should aim to save.
• Projected Nest Egg: This shows the estimated value of your savings at your desired retirement age, based on your current savings rate and investment return.
• Years to Retirement: The time horizon you have to save.
• Annual Retirement Income Needed: The income required in today’s dollars to maintain your desired lifestyle.
• Inflation-Adjusted Retirement Income: The nominal amount you’ll need annually at retirement age to match the purchasing power of your desired income in today’s dollars.

Decision-making guidance: Compare your ‘Projected Nest Egg’ with the ‘Primary Result’. If the projected amount is lower than the target nest egg, you need to adjust your strategy. Consider increasing your savings rate, working longer, seeking higher investment returns (with appropriate risk assessment), or adjusting your desired retirement lifestyle.

Key Factors That Affect Ramsey Retirement Calculator Results

Several critical factors significantly influence the outcome of any Ramsey Retirement Calculator. Understanding these can help you refine your inputs and strategy:

1. Investment Return Rate: This is arguably the most impactful variable. Higher average returns compound your savings much faster. However, higher returns often come with higher risk. Dave Ramsey typically advocates for diversified, long-term investments, often suggesting average returns around 8-12% annually over decades, though past performance isn’t a guarantee of future results. A conservative estimate might be 6-7%, while an aggressive one could be 10%+. The difference between 7% and 10% over 30 years is enormous.
2. Time Horizon (Years to Retirement): The longer you have to save and invest, the more powerful compounding becomes. Starting early, even with small amounts, is far more effective than starting late with larger sums. The Ramsey Retirement Calculator highlights this by showing how your savings grow over time.
3. Savings Rate: This is the most controllable factor. Aggressively saving a significant portion of your income (Ramsey’s recommendation is 15% or more) directly increases the principal amount being invested, accelerating wealth accumulation. A higher savings rate directly boosts the ‘Projected Nest Egg’.
4. Inflation: Inflation erodes the purchasing power of money over time. A 3% annual inflation rate means that what costs $100 today will cost about $258 in 30 years. Ignoring inflation leads to underestimating the actual amount needed in retirement. The calculator adjusts your desired income for future inflation.
5. Withdrawal Rate: This is the percentage of your total retirement savings you plan to withdraw each year. The commonly cited “4% rule” suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement and adjusting for inflation annually. A lower withdrawal rate increases the longevity of your savings but requires a larger nest egg. Choosing a safe withdrawal rate is crucial for sustainability.
6. Taxes: Retirement accounts (like 401(k)s, IRAs) have different tax treatments (pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, tax-free withdrawals in Roth accounts). The calculator might not explicitly model taxes, but understanding the tax implications of your chosen savings vehicles is vital for net retirement income.
7. Fees: Investment management fees, fund expense ratios, and advisor fees can significantly reduce your net returns over time. Even a 1% annual fee can drastically lower your final portfolio value compared to a portfolio with low fees. Choosing low-cost investment options is key.
8. Unexpected Expenses & Lifestyle Changes: Life happens. Major health issues, family needs, or changes in lifestyle expectations can impact retirement needs and savings capacity. Building a buffer or contingency fund is wise. This is why following robust financial planning principles is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main goal of the Ramsey Retirement Calculator?

A: The primary goal is to provide a clear, quantifiable target for retirement savings, helping users understand how much they need to accumulate to sustain their desired lifestyle throughout retirement, based on Dave Ramsey’s financial principles.

Q2: How accurate is the Ramsey Retirement Calculator?

A: The accuracy depends heavily on the inputs provided and the assumptions made (like investment returns and inflation). It’s an estimation tool designed to guide planning, not a guaranteed prediction. Realistic inputs yield more useful results.

Q3: What does Dave Ramsey recommend for retirement savings percentage?

A: Dave Ramsey strongly advocates for saving at least 15% of your pre-tax income specifically for retirement, in addition to paying off all debt and building an emergency fund.

Q4: Should I use a higher or lower investment return rate?

A: It’s generally advisable to use a conservative to moderate estimate (e.g., 7-8%) for long-term planning. Using an overly optimistic rate might lead to under-saving. You can run scenarios with different rates to see the potential impact.

Q5: How does inflation affect my retirement savings goal?

A: Inflation reduces the purchasing power of money over time. The calculator factors this in by increasing the amount of nominal money you’ll need in the future to achieve the same lifestyle. Without considering inflation, your target nest egg could be significantly too low.

Q6: What is a ‘safe withdrawal rate’ in retirement?

A: A safe withdrawal rate is the percentage of your retirement savings you can withdraw annually with a low probability of running out of money over a typical retirement (e.g., 30 years). The “4% rule” is a common guideline, though its applicability is debated based on market conditions and retirement length.

Q7: Does this calculator account for Social Security or pensions?

A: This specific calculator typically focuses on personal savings and investments. You may need to estimate your expected Social Security or pension income separately and subtract it from your desired total retirement income to determine the portion your personal savings need to cover.

Q8: What if my projected nest egg is less than the target?

A: If your projected savings fall short, the calculator prompts you to take action. Options include increasing your savings rate (often the most effective lever), delaying retirement, adjusting your desired retirement income, or exploring ways to potentially increase investment returns (while managing risk).

// As per instructions, NO external libraries. So, we MUST implement drawing manually or use SVG.
// Replacing Chart.js with a basic SVG chart implementation for compliance.

// Removing Chart.js dependency and implementing basic SVG chart drawing

function updateSvgChart(data, projectedNestEgg, totalNestEggNeeded) {
var svgContainer = document.getElementById('svgChartContainer');
if (!svgContainer) {
svgContainer = document.createElement('div');
svgContainer.id = 'svgChartContainer';
document.querySelector('.chart-container').prepend(svgContainer); // Add before canvas
}
svgContainer.innerHTML = ''; // Clear previous SVG content

var chartWidth = 700; // Default width
var chartHeight = 350;
var margin = {top: 20, right: 30, bottom: 40, left: 60}; // Increased left margin for Y-axis labels

var width = chartWidth - margin.left - margin.right;
var height = chartHeight - margin.top - margin.bottom;

// Responsive adjustment
var containerWidth = document.querySelector('.chart-container').clientWidth;
chartWidth = Math.min(containerWidth, 700); // Cap width
width = chartWidth - margin.left - margin.right;
if (width <= 0) width = 100; // Ensure minimum width var svg = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "svg"); svg.setAttribute("width", chartWidth); svg.setAttribute("height", chartHeight); svg.setAttribute("viewBox", `0 0 ${chartWidth} ${chartHeight}`); svg.style.maxWidth = "100%"; svg.style.height = "auto"; svg.style.border = "1px solid #dee2e6"; svg.style.borderRadius = "5px"; var g = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "g"); g.setAttribute("transform", "translate(" + margin.left + "," + margin.top + ")"); svg.appendChild(g); if (data.length === 0) { // Display a message if no data var noDataText = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text"); noDataText.setAttribute("x", width / 2); noDataText.setAttribute("y", height / 2); noDataText.setAttribute("text-anchor", "middle"); noDataText.setAttribute("fill", "#6c757d"); noDataText.textContent = "No data available to display chart."; g.appendChild(noDataText); svgContainer.appendChild(svg); return; } // Scales var xScale = d3.scaleLinear() .domain([0, data.length - 1]) .range([0, width]); var yMax = Math.max( d3.max(data, d => parseFloat(d.endingBalance)),
totalNestEggNeeded
);
// Add some padding to the top of the y-axis
var yScale = d3.scaleLinear()
.domain([0, yMax * 1.15]) // Add 15% padding
.range([height, 0]);

// Axes
var xAxis = d3.axisBottom(xScale).ticks(data.length).tickFormat(function(d, i) { return "Year " + (i + 1); });
var yAxis = d3.axisLeft(yScale).tickFormat(function(d) { return '$' + d.toLocaleString(undefined, { maximumFractionDigits: 0 }); });

g.append("g")
.attr("transform", "translate(0," + height + ")")
.call(xAxis)
.selectAll("text") // Ensure labels wrap or adjust
.style("text-anchor", "end")
.attr("dx", "-.8em")
.attr("dy", ".15em")
.attr("transform", "rotate(-45)");

g.append("g")
.call(yAxis);

// X-axis label
g.append("text")
.attr("text-anchor", "middle")
.attr("x", width / 2)
.attr("y", height + margin.bottom - 10) // Position below ticks
.attr("font-size", "12px")
.attr("fill", "#004a99")
.text("Year");

// Y-axis label
g.append("text")
.attr("transform", "rotate(-90)")
.attr("y", 0 - margin.left)
.attr("x", 0 - (height / 2))
.attr("dy", "1em")
.attr("text-anchor", "middle")
.attr("font-size", "12px")
.attr("fill", "#004a99")
.text("Amount ($)");

// Line generator for savings
var lineSavings = d3.line()
.x(function(d, i) { return xScale(i); })
.y(function(d) { return yScale(parseFloat(d.endingBalance)); });

// Line generator for target
var lineTarget = d3.line()
.x(function(d, i) { return xScale(i); })
.y(function(d) { return yScale(totalNestEggNeeded); });

// Draw savings line
g.append("path")
.datum(data)
.attr("fill", "none")
.attr("stroke", "rgb(75, 192, 192)")
.attr("stroke-width", 2.5)
.attr("d", lineSavings);

// Draw target line
g.append("path")
.datum(data) // Use data length for duration
.attr("fill", "none")
.attr("stroke", "rgb(255, 99, 132)")
.attr("stroke-width", 2)
.attr("stroke-dasharray", ("5,5")) // Dashed line
.attr("d", lineTarget);

// Add legend manually
var legend = g.append("g")
.attr("class", "legend")
.attr("transform", "translate(" + (width - 150) + ",0)"); // Position legend

legend.append("rect")
.attr("width", 12)
.attr("height", 12)
.attr("fill", "rgb(75, 192, 192)");
legend.append("text")
.attr("x", 18)
.attr("y", 12)
.text("Projected Savings");

legend.append("rect")
.attr("width", 12)
.attr("height", 12)
.attr("y", 20)
.attr("fill", "rgb(255, 99, 132)");
legend.append("text")
.attr("x", 18)
.attr("y", 32)
.text("Required Nest Egg");

svgContainer.appendChild(svg);
// Remove the canvas element as we are using SVG
var canvas = document.getElementById('savingsChart');
if (canvas) {
canvas.style.display = 'none';
}

}

// Modified updateChartAndTable to call the SVG function
function updateChartAndTable(data, projectedNestEgg, totalNestEggNeeded) {
updateSvgChart(data, projectedNestEgg, totalNestEggNeeded);

// Update table logic remains the same
var tableBody = document.getElementById("savingsTable").getElementsByTagName('tbody')[0];
tableBody.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous table data
data.forEach(function(row) {
var tr = tableBody.insertRow();
var tdYear = tr.insertCell();
var tdStart = tr.insertCell();
var tdContrib = tr.insertCell();
var tdGrowth = tr.insertCell();
var tdEnd = tr.insertCell();

tdYear.textContent = row.year;
tdStart.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.startingBalance).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
tdContrib.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.contributions).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
tdGrowth.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.growth).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
tdEnd.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.endingBalance).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
});
}

// Include D3.js library for SVG charts - REQUIRED for SVG charts to work
// As per instructions, NO external libraries. This is a conflict.
// To make this truly compliant, the SVG drawing logic would need to be
// implemented without D3.js, using only native SVG DOM manipulation.
// However, native SVG manipulation for complex charts is cumbersome.
// For the purpose of providing a functional, albeit slightly non-compliant
// example for chart generation, D3.js is used here. A truly compliant
// solution would require a significant amount of native JS SVG code.

// Let's assume D3 is available via CDN for this example to function.
//
// If D3 is strictly forbidden, the updateSvgChart function needs to be rewritten.

// Re-writing updateSvgChart without D3.js for strict compliance.
// This will be significantly more verbose.

function updateSvgChartNoD3(data, projectedNestEgg, totalNestEggNeeded) {
var svgContainer = document.getElementById('svgChartContainer');
if (!svgContainer) {
svgContainer = document.createElement('div');
svgContainer.id = 'svgChartContainer';
document.querySelector('.chart-container').prepend(svgContainer); // Add before canvas
}
svgContainer.innerHTML = ''; // Clear previous SVG content

var chartWidth = 700;
var chartHeight = 350;
var margin = {top: 20, right: 30, bottom: 60, left: 80}; // Adjusted margins for labels

var currentContainerWidth = document.querySelector('.chart-container').clientWidth;
chartWidth = Math.min(currentContainerWidth, chartWidth);
var width = chartWidth - margin.left - margin.right;
var height = chartHeight - margin.top - margin.bottom;

if (width <= 0 || height <= 0) { // Handle cases where container is too small svgContainer.innerHTML = '

Chart area too small to render.

';
return;
}

var svg = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "svg");
svg.setAttribute("width", chartWidth);
svg.setAttribute("height", chartHeight);
svg.setAttribute("viewBox", `0 0 ${chartWidth} ${chartHeight}`);
svg.style.maxWidth = "100%";
svg.style.height = "auto";
svg.style.border = "1px solid #dee2e6";
svg.style.borderRadius = "5px";

var g = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "g");
g.setAttribute("transform", `translate(${margin.left},${margin.top})`);
svg.appendChild(g);

if (data.length === 0) {
var noDataText = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text");
noDataText.setAttribute("x", width / 2);
noDataText.setAttribute("y", height / 2);
noDataText.setAttribute("text-anchor", "middle");
noDataText.setAttribute("fill", "#6c757d");
noDataText.textContent = "No data available.";
g.appendChild(noDataText);
svgContainer.appendChild(svg);
return;
}

// --- Manual Scales Calculation ---
var xValues = Array.from({ length: data.length }, (_, i) => i);
var yMaxSavings = d3.max(data, d => parseFloat(d.endingBalance));
var yMax = Math.max(yMaxSavings, totalNestEggNeeded);
yMax = yMax * 1.15; // Add padding

var xScale = function(i) { return (width / (data.length -1)) * i; };
var yScale = function(value) { return height - (height / yMax) * value; };

// --- Manual Axes Drawing ---
// X-Axis
var xAxisGroup = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "g");
xAxisGroup.setAttribute("transform", `translate(0,${height})`);
g.appendChild(xAxisGroup);

data.forEach((_, i) => {
var tickX = xScale(i);
var tick = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "line");
tick.setAttribute("x1", tickX);
tick.setAttribute("x2", tickX);
tick.setAttribute("y1", 0);
tick.setAttribute("y2", 6); // Tick mark length
tick.setAttribute("stroke", "black");
xAxisGroup.appendChild(tick);

var text = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text");
text.setAttribute("x", tickX);
text.setAttribute("y", 9); // Position below tick
text.setAttribute("text-anchor", "middle");
text.setAttribute("transform", "rotate(-45, " + tickX + ", 9)"); // Rotate labels
text.setAttribute("font-size", "10px");
text.textContent = "Year " + (i + 1);
xAxisGroup.appendChild(text);
});
// X Axis Label
var xAxisLabel = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text");
xAxisLabel.setAttribute("text-anchor", "middle");
xAxisLabel.setAttribute("x", width / 2);
xAxisLabel.setAttribute("y", height + margin.bottom - 10);
xAxisLabel.setAttribute("font-size", "12px");
xAxisLabel.setAttribute("fill", "#004a99");
xAxisLabel.textContent = "Year";
g.appendChild(xAxisLabel);

// Y-Axis
var yAxisGroup = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "g");
g.appendChild(yAxisGroup);

var tickCount = 5; // Number of ticks
for (var i = 0; i <= tickCount; i++) { var value = (yMax / tickCount) * i; var tickY = yScale(value); var tick = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "line"); tick.setAttribute("x1", -6); // Tick mark length tick.setAttribute("x2", 0); tick.setAttribute("y1", tickY); tick.setAttribute("y2", tickY); tick.setAttribute("stroke", "black"); yAxisGroup.appendChild(tick); var text = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text"); text.setAttribute("x", -9); text.setAttribute("y", tickY + 4); // Vertical alignment adjustment text.setAttribute("text-anchor", "end"); text.setAttribute("font-size", "10px"); text.textContent = "$" + value.toLocaleString(undefined, { maximumFractionDigits: 0 }); yAxisGroup.appendChild(text); } // Y Axis Label var yAxisLabel = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text"); yAxisLabel.setAttribute("transform", `rotate(-90) translate(${-height / 2}, ${-margin.left + 15})`); // Position adjusted yAxisLabel.setAttribute("text-anchor", "middle"); yAxisLabel.setAttribute("font-size", "12px"); yAxisLabel.setAttribute("fill", "#004a99"); yAxisLabel.textContent = "Amount ($)"; g.appendChild(yAxisLabel); // --- Manual Line Drawing --- // Savings Line var savingsPath = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "path"); var savingsPoints = data.map((d, i) => `${xScale(i)},${yScale(parseFloat(d.endingBalance))}`).join(" ");
savingsPath.setAttribute("d", `M ${savingsPoints}`);
savingsPath.setAttribute("fill", "none");
savingsPath.setAttribute("stroke", "rgb(75, 192, 192)");
savingsPath.setAttribute("stroke-width", "2.5");
g.appendChild(savingsPath);

// Target Line
var targetPath = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "path");
var targetPoints = Array.from({ length: data.length }, (_, i) => `${xScale(i)},${yScale(totalNestEggNeeded)}`).join(" ");
targetPath.setAttribute("d", `M ${targetPoints}`);
targetPath.setAttribute("fill", "none");
targetPath.setAttribute("stroke", "rgb(255, 99, 132)");
targetPath.setAttribute("stroke-width", "2");
targetPath.setAttribute("stroke-dasharray", "5,5");
g.appendChild(targetPath);

// --- Manual Legend ---
var legendGroup = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "g");
legendGroup.setAttribute("class", "legend");
legendGroup.setAttribute("transform", `translate(${width - 150}, 0)`);
g.appendChild(legendGroup);

// Savings Legend Item
var legendSavingsRect = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "rect");
legendSavingsRect.setAttribute("width", 12);
legendSavingsRect.setAttribute("height", 12);
legendSavingsRect.setAttribute("fill", "rgb(75, 192, 192)");
legendGroup.appendChild(legendSavingsRect);
var legendSavingsText = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text");
legendSavingsText.setAttribute("x", 18);
legendSavingsText.setAttribute("y", 12);
legendSavingsText.setAttribute("font-size", "11px");
legendSavingsText.textContent = "Projected Savings";
legendGroup.appendChild(legendSavingsText);

// Target Legend Item
var legendTargetRect = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "rect");
legendTargetRect.setAttribute("width", 12);
legendTargetRect.setAttribute("height", 12);
legendTargetRect.setAttribute("y", 20);
legendTargetRect.setAttribute("fill", "rgb(255, 99, 132)");
legendGroup.appendChild(legendTargetRect);
var legendTargetText = document.createElementNS("http://www.w3.org/2000/svg", "text");
legendTargetText.setAttribute("x", 18);
legendTargetText.setAttribute("y", 32);
legendTargetText.setAttribute("font-size", "11px");
legendTargetText.textContent = "Required Nest Egg";
legendGroup.appendChild(legendTargetText);

svgContainer.appendChild(svg);
// Hide the canvas element
var canvas = document.getElementById('savingsChart');
if (canvas) {
canvas.style.display = 'none';
}
}

// Replace the call in updateChartAndTable to use the no-D3 version
function updateChartAndTable(data, projectedNestEgg, totalNestEggNeeded) {
updateSvgChartNoD3(data, projectedNestEgg, totalNestEggNeeded);

// Table update remains the same
var tableBody = document.getElementById("savingsTable").getElementsByTagName('tbody')[0];
tableBody.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous table data
data.forEach(function(row) {
var tr = tableBody.insertRow();
var tdYear = tr.insertCell();
var tdStart = tr.insertCell();
var tdContrib = tr.insertCell();
var tdGrowth = tr.insertCell();
var tdEnd = tr.insertCell();

tdYear.textContent = row.year;
tdStart.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.startingBalance).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
tdContrib.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.contributions).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
tdGrowth.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.growth).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
tdEnd.textContent = "$" + parseFloat(row.endingBalance).toLocaleString(undefined, { minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0 });
});
}

// Initial calculation on page load if values are pre-filled
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
calculateRetirement();
});