Retirement Savings Calculator
See how much your retirement savings could grow — and what monthly income they might provide. Adjust contributions, rate of return, and years remaining to build your retirement plan.
Growth over time
Year-by-year growth
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How to use this calculator
Enter your current retirement savings (money already in your 401k, IRA, or other accounts), your expected monthly contribution going forward, the number of years until you plan to retire, and an estimated annual rate of return.
The withdrawal rate determines how much annual income your nest egg could sustainably provide. The standard assumption is 4% (from the Trinity Study), but you can adjust it — use a lower rate (3%) for a more conservative plan or if you'll need the money to last longer.
The power of starting early
Time is the most powerful variable in retirement planning. Someone who starts saving $500/month at 25 will retire with far more than someone who starts at 35 saving $1,000/month — even though the late starter contributes more money. Compound interest rewards patience above all else.
The 25x rule: how much do you need?
To estimate your retirement target, multiply your expected annual expenses in retirement by 25. If you expect to spend $60,000/year:
$60,000 × 25 = $1,500,000 target
Work backwards: set the nest egg target, adjust your contributions and years to see what it takes to get there.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
A widely used rule of thumb is the '25x rule': multiply your expected annual expenses in retirement by 25 to estimate the nest egg you need. This is based on the '4% rule' — the idea that you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year with a high probability of the money lasting 30+ years.
What is the 4% withdrawal rule?
The 4% rule (from the 'Trinity Study') suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your initial retirement portfolio each year, adjusted for inflation, without running out of money over a 30-year retirement. It's a starting point, not a guarantee — your actual safe withdrawal rate depends on your asset allocation and how long you need the money to last.
What is a realistic rate of return to use?
The S&P 500 has returned about 10% per year historically. After inflation (about 3%), that's a real return of roughly 7%. For a conservative estimate, many advisors use 5–6% for a balanced portfolio. For a very conservative or bond-heavy portfolio, 3–4% may be more appropriate.
Should I include Social Security or a pension?
This calculator estimates what your savings and contributions will grow to. Your total retirement income would also include Social Security benefits, pension payments, or any other income sources. Subtract those from your target spending to find how much your savings portfolio needs to provide.
How does this calculator handle inflation?
The main calculation shows nominal (pre-inflation) values. To think in today's money, use a return rate that's already net of inflation — for example, if you expect 8% nominal returns and 3% inflation, enter 5% as your rate of return.
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. It assumes a constant rate of return and does not account for taxes, fees, inflation, Social Security benefits, or changes in contribution amounts. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalised retirement planning.