Net Worth
$385KTop 42%PeakWorth
$4.2M+$182KNet Worth
$385KTop 42%PeakWorth
$4.2M+$182KFI Age
50y 1m-11moBehind on retirement? The math is more forgiving than you think.
Catch-up contributions, delayed Social Security, downsizing, geographic arbitrage, working two extra years. PeakWorth shows the realistic path from $50K saved at 45 to a workable retirement at 67.
Of 50-somethings with <$100K saved
~30%
Catch-up 401(k) (50+)
+$7,500/yr
Catch-up IRA (50+)
+$1,000/yr
Years to comfortable from $50K at 45
~22 (achievable)
Sound familiar?
The problems other toolsdon't solve for late starters.
Generic FIRE content makes you feel hopeless
Most retirement content is for people who started at 25. PeakWorth is built to show what's actually possible from where you are — without sugar-coating or shame.
Catch-up contributions are leverage you're not using
+$8,500/yr starting at 50 compounds to $250K+ by 67. We show the FI Age impact of fully using catch-up vs partial vs none.
Downsizing is a real lever, not a defeat
Trade $700K house for $400K, free up $300K to invest, plan accordingly. We model the move with closing costs, property tax delta, and the FI Age improvement.
What you'll use most
The features that matter most for you.
- Catch-up contribution modeling (50+)
- Delayed Social Security to 70 strategy
- Downsizing + geographic arbitrage
- Work-2-extra-years FI Age impact
- Realistic-return deterministic projections
- Comfortable-not-luxurious retirement targets
Start with a calculator
Quick wins for late starters
FIRE Number calculator
Free FIRE calculator that finds your Financial Independence age — the year your investments can fund your lifestyle. Then shows how to pull it forward.
Retirement Age calculator
Find your real retirement age based on your income, savings, and goals — not a generic '65.' See how each lever moves the date by years.
Savings Rate calculator
Your savings rate is the single most powerful number in personal finance. Find yours, see your time-to-FI, and what each 5% bump unlocks.
Investment Growth calculator
See the future value of your investments — but more importantly, see how that growth becomes your actual PeakWorth and FI Age, not just a number.
Then run a real decision
Decisions late starters face most
When Can You Actually Retire? It's Probably Earlier Than You Think.
Pinpoint your real retirement age. Model withdrawal rates, sequence risk, healthcare bridge, and Social Security to find your true FI Age.
Should You Buy, Rent, Refinance, or Sell?
Should you buy a home, refinance, or keep renting? Compare 30-year wealth outcomes for each path and see how each changes your FI Age.
Should You Take the Job, the Raise, or the Equity?
Job offer, raise, equity grant, or side hustle? Quantify the lifetime impact of any career move on your retirement and FI Age.
Which Retirement Accounts Should You Fund First?
Traditional vs Roth, 401(k) vs IRA, backdoor and mega backdoor — see how each account stack lands for YOUR tax situation and pick the one that fits.
More across the PeakWorth network
Tools, comparisons, and benchmarks beyond late starters.
Scenario
FI if you save 20% of income
The floor for traditional FI — each +5% chops 4–6 years.
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See your full financial trajectory in 2 minutes
No signup. Real numbers. See your FI Age and net worth at every age.
Calculator
Coast FIRE calculator
How much do you need today to coast to retirement?
Calculator
Barista FIRE calculator
Semi-retire on a part-time income — your number.
Scenario
Can you retire on a $100K salary?
Yes — and a 30% savings rate gets you there ~7 years sooner.
Compare
PeakWorth vs Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
“Free” robo with cash drag vs a real plan.
Frequently asked
Questions late starters ask first
Is it realistic to start saving at 50?
Yes — with 17 years of catch-up contributions, modest returns, and delayed SS, $50K at 50 can become a workable retirement at 67. We show the exact path.
Should I delay Social Security?
Often yes for late starters — the 32% benefit boost from FRA to 70 is one of the highest-value moves available, especially as a longevity hedge.
Is downsizing worth it?
Frequently. Trading a $700K paid-off house for a $400K one frees $300K to invest plus reduces property tax, insurance, and maintenance. We model the FI Age impact.
See your real PeakWorth in 2 minutes.
Free Quick Start. No credit card. A real projection of where your finances are heading — and exactly which moves change the picture.