FinanceCalcs
Retirement Calculator
Find out if you're on track for retirement — see your projected savings at retirement age, how long your money will last, and what you need to change to close any shortfall.
Models both the accumulation phase (saving) and the drawdown phase (spending) with inflation adjustment and a year-by-year projection table.
Retirement Calculator
At retirement you will have $0
Your savings will last until age 0
- Savings Balance
- Total Contributed
"Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway."
— Unknown
What is a retirement calculator?
A retirement calculator estimates how much money you will have saved by the time you retire — and whether that amount will last through your retirement years at your desired spending level. It factors in your current savings, regular contributions, expected investment return, and how much monthly income you want in retirement.
The calculator works in two phases. The accumulation phase models growth from now until your retirement date, compounding your existing savings and ongoing contributions over time. The drawdown phase models how long that balance lasts as you withdraw monthly income — accounting for continued investment returns and inflation — until it reaches zero or your life expectancy.
If the projection shows a shortfall, you can adjust your monthly contributions, target retirement age, expected return, or desired income to find a plan that works. Even small changes — contributing an extra $200/month or retiring one year later — can significantly extend how long your savings last.
chevron_right Learn more about retirement planning on Wikipedia
lightbulb Example Retirement Scenario
Suppose you are 35 years old with $80,000 saved, contributing $800/month, expecting a 7% annual return, and planning to retire at 65. By retirement, you would accumulate approximately $1,150,000.
If you want $4,500/month in retirement income and assume a 3% inflation rate, that balance would last until roughly age 85–87 — close to but not safely past a 30-year retirement horizon.
Increasing contributions to $1,100/month pushes the projected balance to about $1,450,000 and extends the runway well past age 90. Alternatively, retiring at 67 instead of 65 adds two more years of contributions and cuts two years from the drawdown period — a powerful combination.
Many people run this calculator in their 30s and 40s, when small course corrections still have decades to compound into large differences.
Retirement Calculator FAQs
How much do I need to retire?
A common benchmark is the 25x rule: save 25 times your expected annual retirement spending. This is derived from the 4% rule, which suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one — adjusting for inflation annually — has historically lasted 30+ years in most market conditions. On $50,000/year in spending, that implies a target of $1,250,000.
What annual return should I assume?
A diversified stock and bond portfolio has historically returned around 6–8% annually before inflation, or roughly 4–5% in real (inflation-adjusted) terms. Conservative planners often use 5–6% nominal to account for market uncertainty. The right rate depends on your asset allocation — a more bond-heavy portfolio warrants a lower assumption than an equity-heavy one.
How does inflation affect retirement planning?
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. $5,000/month today will buy significantly less in 20 or 30 years at even modest inflation rates. A retirement plan that does not account for inflation risks running short even if the nominal balance looks sufficient. The calculator's inflation adjustment ensures your projected income reflects real spending power, not just nominal dollars.
What is the 4% rule and is it still reliable?
The 4% rule states that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one — and adjusting that amount for inflation each year — has historically sustained a portfolio for 30 years in most market scenarios. It emerged from research on historical U.S. market returns. Some financial planners now suggest 3–3.5% for longer retirements or more conservative planning, especially given current interest rate environments and longer life expectancies.
Retirement calculator terminology
Current & Retirement Age
Your age today and the age at which you plan to stop working. The difference is your savings window — the number of years your contributions and compounding have to grow before drawdown begins.
Current Retirement Savings
The total amount already saved across all retirement accounts — 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, and any other investment accounts earmarked for retirement.
Monthly Contribution
The amount added to retirement savings each month, including your own contributions and any employer match. Consistent contributions are the single most controllable driver of retirement outcomes.
Expected Annual Return
The average yearly return assumed on your investments. Historically, a diversified portfolio has returned around 7% annually. More conservative allocations warrant a lower assumption.
Desired Monthly Income
How much you want to withdraw each month during retirement to cover living expenses. Combined with your expected lifespan, this determines how large a nest egg you need to accumulate.
Inflation Rate
The annual rate at which prices rise over time. Adjusting for inflation ensures your projected income reflects real purchasing power — not just nominal dollars that buy less each year.
Disclaimer: All calculators on this site are provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the inputs you provide and mathematical formulas — they do not account for taxes, fees, inflation, risk, or other real-world factors that may affect financial outcomes. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Nothing on this site constitutes financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
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