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Tool · The Fifth Economy

Build Your
Economic Floor

Build a foundation that can transcend generations.

The first four economies were built on labor. The Fifth Economy is built on assets. The goal is not simply to accumulate wealth, but to build an Economic Floor — a durable foundation of income-producing assets that can support you, reduce dependence on earned income, transcend generations, and provide a starting point for the next generation.

“Build the floor first.
Then build the life above it.”
Start here

Your Economic Floor

The total pile of investments you build (in accounts like a 401(k), an IRA or a brokerage account) so it can pay you income later.

 

Passive income

Money your investments pay you each year without you having to work for it.

 

How to use this page

Change the example numbers below to match your life, press Build My Floor, then read the results. It is a what-if tool, not a promise.

1 · What you have today
$
Add up your 401(k), IRA, brokerage and other investments. Don't count your home or cash savings.
$
Everything you invest per year, including any employer match. Divide by 12 for a monthly amount.
The age you'd like to start living off your investments.
2 · Growth & income assumptions
%
How fast you expect your investments to grow each year, before inflation. U.S. stocks have averaged roughly 10% over the long run, but no single year is guaranteed.
%
The % of your invested money you'd withdraw each year as income. Example: 4% of $1,000,000 is $40,000 a year. Many planners use 3–4% so the money lasts; higher rates can run out sooner.
%
The rest might be cash, a home or other holdings that don't pay income. 100% means everything is invested.
%
A rough rate. U.S. federal long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20%. Withdrawals from a 401(k) or traditional IRA are usually taxed as ordinary income instead.
Results appear just below ↓
Build Assets.
Create Income.
Own Your Time.
Your projection

Years to Buildfrom now to your target age
Total Contributionsstarting amount + all you add
Economic Floorprojected investment savings at your target age
Yearly Income (before tax)
Income after tax

Amount Invested
Income Before Taxper year
Estimated Tax
Income After Tax

How Your Floor Could Grow

Projected value of your floor (with growth)Total contributionsThe gap between the lines is investment growth. The bottom axis is years from today.
Build the
foundation.
Live above it.
Leave it behind.

Milestones — How Big Could Your Floor Get?

Your floor is the total pile of investments that can pay you income. Here is how long it could take to reach $2M, $3M or $4M with your numbers above, and what each size could pay per year.

See the year-by-year growth

Each row is one year: your balance at the start, what it earned, what you contributed, and where it ended up. “Total Contributions” is what you added, without growth.

See the income years (living off your floor)

Starting at your target age, each row is one year: your floor grows, and you take income out. This table applies the withdrawal % to your whole floor, not just the invested share. If growth beats what you withdraw, the floor keeps growing and can be left behind.

“Build the floor. Live above it. Leave it behind.”