Retirement Calculator
Last updated: May 2026
Project your future retirement savings based on what you have today, how much you plan to contribute each month, and a realistic expected return rate.
Retirement projection
Your Retirement Result
What does this calculator do and why does it matter?
The Retirement Calculator is a long-term planning tool that estimates how much money you could have saved by the time you retire. It factors in your current savings balance, your planned monthly contributions, the number of years until you retire, and the rate of return you expect from your investments. The result — your projected retirement "corpus" — gives you a concrete number to work toward.
Retirement planning can feel vague and overwhelming, which is why so many people put it off. This tool makes it concrete and actionable. It helps you answer the single most important financial question about your future: will the money I am saving today actually be enough? By experimenting with the inputs — adjusting your monthly contribution amount or the age at which you plan to retire — you can build a plan that actually fits your life and gives you confidence that you are moving in the right direction.
How to Use (Step-by-Step)
- Current Age: Enter how old you are today.
- Retirement Age: Enter the age at which you plan to stop working.
- Current Savings: Enter the total amount you have already saved across all retirement accounts — 401(k), IRA, pension, and any other savings you plan to use in retirement.
- Monthly Contribution: Enter how much you plan to add to your retirement savings each month going forward.
- Expected Annual Return: Enter the percentage rate you expect your investments to grow each year. Historically, a diversified stock portfolio has averaged somewhere between 7% and 10% annually before inflation. More conservative portfolios tend to earn less.
- Calculate: Click the button to see your projected retirement balance.
Formula & Methodology
This calculator combines two compound interest formulas: one for the future value of your existing savings, and one for the future value of your ongoing monthly contributions. The two figures are added together to give you your projected total retirement corpus.
The calculation assumes a constant rate of return, compounded over time. It is important to remember that this is a projection based on an assumed return — not a guarantee. Real-world investment returns fluctuate from year to year, and actual results will vary. Use this as a planning guide, not a financial promise.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Starting from Scratch at 30
You are 30 years old, want to retire at 65, have nothing saved yet, and plan to invest $500 a month at an expected 7% annual return. Over those 35 years, you will personally contribute $210,000. Thanks to compounding, your projected retirement balance comes to approximately $900,000.
Example 2: Building on Existing Savings
You are 40 years old, retiring at 65, and already have $100,000 saved. You plan to contribute $800 a month at a 6% annual return. Over 25 years, both your existing savings and your monthly contributions compound. Your projected total comes to over $970,000.
Example 3: Playing Catch-Up at 50
You are 50, planning to retire at 65, and currently have $50,000 saved. You decide to aggressively contribute $2,000 a month at a 6% return. By age 65, you will have built a retirement balance of roughly $680,000 — proof that it is never too late to start taking your savings seriously.
FAQ
How much money do I actually need to retire comfortably?
Two common rules of thumb can help. The "80% rule" suggests you will need roughly 80% of your pre-retirement annual income to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement. The "4% rule" says your portfolio needs to be 25 times your expected annual spending — so if you plan to spend $60,000 per year, you would need a $1,500,000 portfolio.
Does this calculator account for inflation?
Basic retirement calculators project nominal figures without adjusting for inflation. A practical workaround is to use a lower "real" return rate in your input. For example, if you expect 8% investment returns and inflation averages 3%, entering 5% as your expected return will give you a more inflation-adjusted projection.
What is a realistic expected annual return?
For a diversified portfolio with a heavy weighting toward broad stock index funds, 7% to 8% has historically been a reasonable long-term average. As you approach retirement and shift into more conservative holdings like bonds, expect lower returns in the range of 3% to 5%.
Should I include Social Security benefits in this calculation?
This tool calculates the growth of your personal savings only. Think of Social Security or any pension income as a separate income stream that will reduce the amount you need to withdraw from your savings each month in retirement.
Why does starting early make such a big difference?
Because of compound interest. Money you invest in your 20s has 40 years to double and redouble many times over. Waiting until your 40s means the same investment has much less time to compound, so you have to save far more each month just to reach the same final number.
Related Guide
Read our full guide to learn more: Planning for Retirement: Why Starting Now is Crucial