Saving Rate Comparison
Retail worker in Hamburg · Living on thin margins
This page compares financial outcomes for a Retail worker living in Hamburg, Germany, following the Living on thin margins life scenario.
A financial path with limited room for error, where small shocks can have outsized effects. Long-term outcomes depend more on resilience, adaptability, and avoiding major setbacks.
Hamburg has a strong professional services and logistics economy, with above-average costs and solid income potential.
The comparison focuses on how changing the Saving rate influences long-term results, while all other assumptions remain constant.
Simulation Overview
Base scenario assumptions
- The simulation starts at age 30 and runs until age 65.
- The initial annual labor income is €13,209.
- Labor income grows annually at an average rate of 2%.
- A labor income tax rate of 35% is applied to gross earnings.
- The saving rate varies between 5% and 25%.
- Minimum annual living expenses are €18,300.
- Savings are invested with stochastic annual returns.
- The average annual return is 5%, with year-to-year variability.
- All values are expressed in real terms, assuming average annual inflation of 2%.
- The simulation includes stochastic life events such as unemployment, and health issue.
- These events may temporarily affect income, expenses, or net worth.
- Financial independence is defined as having net worth equal to 25 times annual expenses.
- Bankruptcy is triggered if net worth remains below €0 for 2 consecutive years.
Scenario Comparison
Results are shown as a realistic range. P10 represents a pessimistic outcome, while P90 represents an optimistic outcome. Most simulations fall between these two values.
| Scenario | Median Net Worth | P10 Net Worth | P90 Net Worth | FI Probability | FI Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | -226,242 | -237,838 | -217,255 | 0% | — |
| 10% | -226,242 | -237,838 | -217,255 | 0% | — |
| 15% | -226,242 | -237,838 | -217,255 | 0% | — |
| 20% | -226,242 | -237,838 | -217,255 | 0% | — |
| 25% | -226,242 | -237,838 | -217,255 | 0% | — |
How Your Financial Life Evolves
These charts show how each scenario affects long-term outcomes, including expected wealth, downside risk, and the likelihood of achieving financial independence.
Net Worth Median
Net Worth Range
Fi Probability