Retirement Calculator
Project your retirement fund based on current savings, monthly contributions and expected returns.
How to Use the Retirement Calculator
Project how much you could accumulate by retirement age based on your current savings, monthly contributions and expected market returns.
- Enter your current age — your age today (e.g. 30).
- Enter your retirement age — the age you plan to retire (default is 65).
- Enter current savings — the total amount you have already saved or invested (e.g. $50,000).
- Enter monthly contribution — the amount you plan to invest each month going forward (e.g. $500).
- Enter expected annual return — the average yearly return you expect from investments (default 7%).
- Review results — see your projected retirement fund, total contributions and total interest earned. Click "Show Year-by-Year Projection" for a detailed table.
The calculator compounds monthly contributions at the specified annual return rate. All figures are in today's nominal dollars — consider subtracting inflation (2–3%) from the return rate for real purchasing power estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 $1.25 million. Your actual number depends on lifestyle, healthcare costs and Social Security income.
What annual return rate should I use?
The S&P 500 has historically returned about 10% per year before inflation (roughly 7% after inflation). For a balanced portfolio with bonds, 5–7% is more conservative. Use the lower end for safer projections.
Does this account for inflation?
No. All results are in nominal dollars. To estimate real purchasing power, subtract the expected inflation rate (typically 2–3%) from the annual return. For example, use 4–5% instead of 7% for inflation-adjusted projections.
What if I start saving late?
Starting later means less time for compound growth, but increasing your monthly contribution can help close the gap. Even starting at 40, saving $1,000/month at 7% can accumulate over $600,000 by age 65.
Should I include employer 401(k) match?
Yes. If your employer matches contributions, add the total monthly amount (your contribution + employer match) to the monthly contribution field for a more accurate projection.
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