CME Retirement Planner
# Stop Planning Retirement with "Assume 7% Returns"
Most retirement calculators use a single assumed return rate. But markets don't return 7% every year. Some years are up 30%. Some are down 40%. The sequence matters.
That's why institutional investors use Monte Carlo simulation with professional Capital Market Estimates (CME). Now you can too.
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## What You Get
CME Retirement Planner is a self-contained Excel template that runs institutional-quality retirement projections on your laptop.
### 10,000 Monte Carlo Simulations
Not 100. Not 1,000. Ten thousand randomized market scenarios show you the true range of possible outcomes—from pessimistic to optimistic.
### Real Institutional Data
Uses Capital Market Estimates from BlackRock Investment Institute and J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The same return and volatility forecasts that trillion-dollar firms use internally.
### 100% Private
Runs entirely in Excel on your computer. No account creation. No data uploaded anywhere. Your financial information never leaves your device.
### Instant Results
Full simulation completes in under 10 seconds. Adjust inputs and re-run instantly. No waiting for cloud servers.
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## What You'll Learn
After running your simulation, you'll know:
- Success Rate: Your probability of not running out of money
- Outcome Ranges: 5th to 95th percentile final portfolio values
- Ruin Timeline: When you're most at risk (if ever)
- Required Adjustments: How much to save or reduce spending
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## Perfect For
- DIY investors who want professional-grade analysis
- FIRE planners stress-testing early retirement scenarios
- Pre-retirees validating their current plan
- Financial enthusiasts who want to understand the math
- Anyone tired of oversimplified "you need $X" calculators
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## What's Included
- CME_Retirement_Planner.xlsm — Full Excel template with simulation engine
- Quick Start Guide — Get running in 5 minutes
- User Manual — Complete documentation
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## Requirements
- Microsoft Excel 2019 or later (Windows or Mac)
- Microsoft 365 works great
- Macros must be enabled (instructions included)
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## Pricing
$50 — One-time purchase. Yours forever.
No subscription. No annual fee. No upsells.
Future updates included for the first year.
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## FAQ
Is this financial advice?
No. This is an educational tool for personal use. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.
How is this different from free calculators?
Free calculators assume fixed returns (e.g., 7%/year). This tool runs 10,000 randomized scenarios using institutional return estimates, showing you the probability of success—not just a single number.
Do I need to know Excel?
Basic Excel knowledge is enough. If you can enter numbers in cells and click a button, you can use this tool.
How often is the CME data updated?
The embedded data is updated when new institutional estimates are published (typically quarterly). The template includes a refresh button to load the latest data.
Can I use this on Mac?
Yes. Excel for Mac 2019 or later, or Microsoft 365.
Which CME providers are included?
BlackRock Investment Institute and J.P. Morgan Asset Management. You can choose which provider's estimates to use.
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## About
Built by a quant developer who got tired of explaining why "assume 7% returns" is not how professionals model retirement.