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Retirement Calculator

Project your retirement savings based on current balance, monthly contributions, and expected return. Free tool — no sign-up required.

Your Details

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At Retirement — Age 65

Projected Balance

$1,188,181

35 years · 7% annual return

Total Contributions$235,000
Investment Growth$953,181
Est. Monthly Income$3,961/mo
Annual Income (4% Rule)$47,527/yr
● Contributions 20%● Growth 80%
AgeBalance
35$71,237
40$136,784
45$229,705
50$361,432
55$548,171
60$812,898
65$1,188,181

Projections assume a constant annual return and do not account for inflation, taxes, Social Security income, or employer match. Actual results will vary. Consult a certified financial planner before making retirement decisions.

How This Retirement Calculator Works

This tool calculates the future value of your retirement savings using compound interest. It combines two formulas: the future value of your current savings (growing at the expected return rate) and the future value of your ongoing monthly contributions.

FV = P × (1+r)ⁿ + PMT × [(1+r)ⁿ – 1] / r

Where P = current savings, r = monthly return rate (annual ÷ 12), n = months to retirement, and PMT = monthly contribution. The estimated monthly income uses the 4% safe withdrawal rate: annual income = 4% × final balance.

How to Build a Retirement Nest Egg

Always capture your employer's 401(k) match. If your employer matches 50% of contributions up to 6% of your salary, not contributing that 6% is leaving guaranteed money on the table. This is the single highest-return investment available to most workers.

Max out a Roth IRA next. After capturing the 401(k) match, contribute up to $7,000/year (2024) to a Roth IRA. Tax-free growth and withdrawals make Roth accounts one of the most powerful retirement tools — especially for younger investors in lower tax brackets today.

Then maximize your 401(k). After Roth IRA, contribute more to your 401(k) up to the $23,000 annual limit. The tax deferral dramatically increases your effective investment return.

Invest in low-cost index funds. A total market or S&P 500 index fund with a 0.03%–0.10% expense ratio consistently outperforms actively managed funds over 20+ year periods due to lower fees. Keep it simple.

Retirement Calculator — FAQ

How much do I need to retire comfortably?
A widely used guideline is the '25x rule': save 25 times your expected annual retirement expenses. If you plan to spend $60,000/year, aim for $1.5 million. This is based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate, which suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio each year has a high probability of lasting 30+ years.
What is a 401(k) and how does it help retirement savings?
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement plan that lets you contribute pre-tax dollars, reducing taxable income now. Many employers match contributions up to a percentage — that's free money. The 2024 contribution limit is $23,000 ($30,500 if age 50+). Always contribute enough to capture the full employer match first.
What is the difference between a Roth IRA and Traditional IRA?
A Traditional IRA uses pre-tax money (tax deduction now, pay taxes on withdrawal). A Roth IRA uses after-tax money (no deduction now, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free). The 2024 IRA contribution limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+). Roth IRAs are generally better if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement.
What annual return should I use in a retirement calculator?
The S&P 500 has historically returned about 10% annually before inflation (roughly 7% after inflation). A diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds typically returns 6%–8% over long periods. For conservative planning, use 6%–7%. For aggressive all-stock portfolios, 8%–10% is reasonable but carries more risk.
What is the 4% safe withdrawal rule?
The 4% rule (from the Trinity Study) suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one of retirement, then adjusting for inflation each year. Research shows this approach has historically sustained portfolios for 30+ years. A $1 million portfolio supports approximately $40,000/year ($3,333/month) under this rule.