Retirement Calculator
Project how much you could have saved by retirement based on your current savings, contributions, and expected returns.
Estimate Your Retirement Savings
What Is a Retirement Calculator?
A retirement calculator estimates how much money you will have accumulated by the time you stop working. It combines three key inputs to project your future balance:
- Current savings — the money you have already set aside for retirement.
- Monthly contributions — the amount you plan to add each month until you retire.
- Expected return — the annual rate of return you expect from your investments, compounded monthly.
The calculator uses these inputs along with the number of years until retirement to simulate month-by-month growth, showing you the power of consistent saving combined with compound returns over long time horizons.
Planning for Retirement Savings
Successful retirement planning depends on starting early and staying consistent. Consider these guidelines:
- Start as soon as possible — even small contributions in your 20s can grow dramatically thanks to decades of compounding.
- Increase contributions over time — as your income grows, try to save a larger percentage each year.
- Use conservative estimates — a 6%–7% annual return is a common assumption for a diversified stock portfolio after inflation. Using a lower rate gives you a more cautious projection.
- Account for inflation — if you want results in today's purchasing power, subtract the expected inflation rate (around 2%–3%) from your expected return.
This calculator does not account for taxes, employer matching, Social Security, or withdrawals during retirement. Use it as a starting point, then consult a financial advisor for a comprehensive plan.
Example Retirement Projection
Suppose you are 30 years old, plan to retire at 65, have $25,000 saved, contribute $500 per month, and expect a 7% annual return.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What rate of return should I use?
The long-term average annual return of the S&P 500 is roughly 10% before inflation, or about 7% after inflation. A conservative estimate of 6%–7% is a reasonable starting point for a diversified portfolio. If your investments are more conservative (bonds, savings accounts), use a lower rate such as 3%–5%.
Does this calculator include employer matching?
No. If your employer matches contributions, add the match amount to your monthly contribution for a more accurate projection. For example, if you contribute $500 and your employer matches 50%, enter $750 as your monthly contribution.
How much do I need to retire?
A common guideline is to have 25 times your expected annual expenses saved by retirement (the "4% rule"). For example, if you expect to spend $50,000 per year, aim for $1,250,000. However, the right number depends on your lifestyle, healthcare needs, and other income sources like Social Security or pensions.
Popular Retirement Guides
Plan Your Retirement Strategy
A solid retirement plan goes beyond saving — it includes choosing the right accounts, understanding tax advantages, and adjusting your strategy as you age. Consider speaking with a financial advisor to create a personalized retirement roadmap.
What to Look For in a Retirement Account Provider
Where you hold your IRA or rollover 401(k) affects your investment options, ongoing fees, and flexibility throughout retirement. Important factors when evaluating providers:
- Fund selection — access to low-cost index funds is the single largest driver of long-term growth inside a tax-advantaged retirement account
- Roth vs. Traditional IRA — the right choice depends on your current tax bracket versus your expected bracket in retirement; both are available at most major providers
- Rollover support — if you are consolidating old 401(k)s from previous employers, look for providers with guided direct-rollover assistance to avoid tax withholding
- RMD automation — at age 73, required minimum distributions apply to traditional IRAs; good providers automate the calculation and withdrawal process
- Beneficiary flexibility — verify the provider supports named primary and contingent beneficiaries with online updating, not just paper forms