Retirement Savings Calculator
What your savings grow into by retirement, and the annual income that balance supports.
Projected balance
Figures are in nominal dollars before taxes and fees. At 3% inflation, $2,103,035 in 30 years has the purchasing power of about $866,422 today.
This compounds your current savings and monthly contributions monthly until your retirement age, then applies a 4% withdrawal rate to show the income the balance supports. The contribution increase field matters more than it looks: raising contributions with your salary keeps the plan from quietly shrinking as inflation erodes a fixed amount.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
A common starting point is 25 times your annual spending, which is the 4% rule inverted. If you expect to spend $60,000 a year beyond Social Security and pensions, that suggests roughly $1.5 million. Your own number depends on spending, longevity, and how much variability you can tolerate.
What return should I assume?
A diversified portfolio has historically returned around 7% after inflation over long periods, though individual decades vary widely. Many planners use 5% to 7% for accumulation and lower figures as the portfolio shifts toward bonds near retirement.
Should I include Social Security?
This calculator projects savings only. Social Security reduces the portfolio income you need, so subtract your estimated benefit from annual spending before computing a target. The Social Security Administration provides personalized estimates.
What if I am starting late?
The three levers are contribution amount, years of growth, and spending in retirement. Starting at 45 rather than 25 removes the most powerful compounding years, which usually means saving a substantially higher percentage of income or planning to work longer.
Related tools
Calculators model hypothetical outcomes from the inputs you provide. They are informational only, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.