Retirement Calculator

Project your retirement savings growth and estimate your monthly income in retirement.

Rates as of Q2 2025 (example)

years
18 75
years
50 80
$
$
%
0.1 15
$
Result

Payment breakdown

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For educational purposes only. Consult a financial advisor.

What is a Retirement Calculator?

A retirement calculator projects how much your retirement savings could grow by the time you retire, based on your current age, retirement age, current savings, monthly contributions, and an expected rate of return. It also estimates the monthly income that projected balance could support once you stop working, helping you see whether your current savings plan is on track.

How to Use This Retirement Calculator

  1. Enter your current age and the age you plan to retire — the difference determines how many years your savings have to grow.
  2. Enter your current retirement savings balance and the amount you contribute each month.
  3. Enter an expected annual return — the default value is an example only, so use a conservative, realistic estimate for your own planning.
  4. Enter your desired monthly income in retirement, then review your projected savings balance, total contributions vs. growth, and estimated monthly retirement income.

How is Retirement Savings Calculated?

This calculator compounds your savings monthly: each month, interest is calculated on your current balance, then your monthly contribution is added before the next month's interest is calculated. This repeats for every month between your current age and your retirement age.

Estimated monthly income: The calculator applies a 4% annual withdrawal rate to your projected savings balance, divided by 12 — a commonly cited guideline (the "4% rule") for how much retirees can withdraw each year without depleting their savings too quickly, though it is an example only and not a guarantee.

Example: Starting at age 30 with $20,000 saved, contributing $500 per month, at a 7% annual return (example rate — actual returns are not guaranteed and vary with market conditions) until age 65, the projected balance reaches a substantial sum, of which a large portion comes from compound growth rather than contributions alone. (Note: all figures in this example are for illustration purposes only and do not represent actual rates or market conditions.)

Retirement Planning in the US

Most US retirement savings happen through tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and IRAs (traditional or Roth), each with its own contribution limits and tax treatment. The 7% default return in this calculator is a commonly cited illustrative example for diversified long-term stock market investing, not a guaranteed or predicted return — actual returns fluctuate and can be negative in some years. This calculator does not account for Social Security benefits, employer matching contributions, taxes on withdrawals, or inflation, all of which affect how much retirement income your savings can realistically provide.

Tips for Using This Retirement Calculator

  • Try increasing your monthly contribution even slightly — extra contributions made earlier in your career have decades to compound and can make a large difference.
  • Use a conservative expected return for planning purposes, since markets fluctuate year to year and past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
  • Compare retiring a few years earlier or later to see how it affects your projected balance and estimated monthly income.
  • Remember this calculator doesn't include Social Security, employer matching, taxes, or inflation — treat the estimated monthly income as a starting point, not a complete retirement plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my projected retirement savings calculated?

The calculator compounds your current savings and monthly contributions monthly, using your expected annual return divided by 12, from your current age until your retirement age.

What is the 4% rule used for estimated monthly income?

The calculator applies a 4% annual withdrawal rate to your projected savings balance to estimate sustainable monthly income in retirement. This is a commonly cited guideline, not a guarantee — actual safe withdrawal rates depend on market conditions, your time horizon, and other factors.

Is the 7% expected return rate realistic?

The default 7% is an example only, commonly cited for diversified long-term stock market investing. Actual returns vary significantly year to year and can be negative, so use a conservative estimate for your own planning.

Does this calculator include Social Security benefits?

No. This calculator only projects your personal savings and contributions. Social Security benefits, pensions, and other income sources would be in addition to the estimated monthly income shown here.

Does this calculator account for taxes on retirement withdrawals?

No. Depending on whether your savings are in traditional (pre-tax) or Roth (after-tax) accounts, withdrawals may be taxed differently. This calculator shows pre-tax projected balances and does not model withdrawal taxes.

Does this calculator account for inflation?

No. The projected balance and income are shown in today's dollars without adjusting for inflation, which will reduce the real purchasing power of that income by the time you retire, especially over long time horizons.

Disclaimer: The information, rates, and figures provided on this page are for educational and illustrative purposes only. All rates and examples shown are sample values and do not reflect current or actual market rates or guaranteed investment returns. Financial rules and regulations change frequently. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.