Retirement Calculator

Estimate how much you'll have at retirement and whether you're on track to meet your income goals.

Projected Portfolio at Retirement

$1.43M

in 35 years

Portfolio Needed (4% Rule)

$1.50M

Shortfall

-$65,643.63

Real Value (Inflation-Adjusted)

$509,746.44

Total Contributions

$210,000.00

How It Works

  1. 1Enter your current age and your target retirement age to determine how many years you have to save.
  2. 2Input your current savings balance and how much you plan to contribute each month.
  3. 3Set your expected annual investment return and inflation rate assumptions.
  4. 4Specify your desired monthly income in retirement to calculate the portfolio needed using the 4% rule.
  5. 5Review your projected portfolio, surplus or shortfall, and inflation-adjusted value to see if you're on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 4% rule for retirement?
The 4% rule is a guideline suggesting you can withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio each year without running out of money over a 30-year retirement. For example, if you need $60,000 per year, you'd need a portfolio of $1,500,000 ($60,000 / 0.04). While widely used, it's based on historical U.S. stock and bond returns and may not apply in all market conditions.
What annual return should I expect from my investments?
The historical average annual return of the S&P 500 is roughly 10% before inflation and about 7% after inflation. A balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds typically returns 6-8% annually. Conservative investors may want to use 5-6%, while those with aggressive allocations might use 8-10%. It's better to be conservative with your estimates.
How does inflation affect my retirement savings?
Inflation erodes your purchasing power over time. A dollar today won't buy as much in 30 years. With 3% annual inflation, $1 million in 30 years would have the purchasing power of roughly $412,000 in today's dollars. That's why this calculator shows both the nominal and real (inflation-adjusted) value of your projected portfolio.
How much should I be saving for retirement each month?
A common guideline is to save 15-20% of your pre-tax income for retirement, including any employer match. However, the right amount depends on your age, current savings, desired retirement lifestyle, and expected Social Security benefits. Use this calculator to experiment with different contribution amounts to find what works for you.
When should I start saving for retirement?
The best time to start is as early as possible due to the power of compound interest. Starting at age 25 instead of 35, even with smaller contributions, can result in significantly more wealth at retirement. For example, saving $300/month from age 25 at 7% return yields about $1 million by 65, while starting at 35 would require roughly $650/month to reach the same goal.