Why RetireMe Exists

Our Story

RetireMe started with a simple question that wouldn't go away: "When can I actually afford to retire?"

Every retirement calculator online was either too simplistic (plug in a number, get an answer that ignores half your life) or built for Americans — with 401(k)s, Social Security, and US tax brackets baked in. Nothing understood KiwiSaver rules, NZ Superannuation rates, or how ACC levies affect your take-home pay.

So with my decades of experience building financial data systems, I finally built the tool I wanted. For myself. A proper financial simulation engine that models every element of your life — assets, income, expenses, liabilities, life events, tax — month by month from now until your target age. And then stress-tests it with thousands of Monte Carlo scenarios so you don't just get one number — you get the probability that your money lasts.

I then extended it to track my expenses and update my assumptions with reality as the months passed, so I could see whether I was making progress towards my goals.

Then with AI, I suddenly had reasoning tools to assess my plan, critique my assumptions, offer suggestions to solve shortfalls, give ideas and alternatives, challenge me, and improve my assumptions.

I have rolled those all into a retirement planner that has become my life planner.

"I didn't want a calculator that tells you a fantasy number. I wanted a model that shows you the truth — including the uncomfortable scenarios — so you can actually make informed decisions."

RetireMe is built and operated in New Zealand, by New Zealanders, for New Zealanders. Your financial data never leaves your device. We don't sell advice, we don't manage money, and we don't take a percentage of your assets. We just build the best planning tool we can.