Retirement Calculator

How to Use This Retirement Calculator

1. Enter your ages and current savingsEnter your current age and the age you'd like to retire. Then input your current retirement savings — this includes all 401(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts combined. Set your monthly contribution to reflect what you're currently saving each month.
2. Set expected return and inflationThe expected annual return represents your anticipated average investment return over the entire period. A common benchmark is 7% after inflation for a diversified stock portfolio, though past performance doesn't guarantee future results. The inflation rate adjusts your projections to show purchasing power in today's dollars.
3. Enter desired monthly retirement incomeEnter your desired monthly income in retirement — this is how much you'd like to withdraw each month, expressed in today's dollars. The calculator adjusts this for inflation to show what you'll actually need at your retirement age.
4. Read the on-track status indicatorThe status indicator tells you immediately whether you're on track. If you're behind, the calculator suggests specific actions: how much more to save each month, how many extra years of work would close the gap, or what return rate would be needed.
5. Test Will It Last and What If scenariosUse the "Will It Last?" section to see how long your fund would survive at different withdrawal rates. The "What If" comparisons let you explore scenarios by adjusting contributions, retirement age, or return rate to find a plan that works for your goals.

How Much Do You Need to Retire?

The most widely used guideline for retirement planning is the 4% rule. It suggests that you can withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjust that amount for inflation each subsequent year, and your money should last approximately 30 years. This means you need roughly 25 times your desired annual retirement income saved up — and a good retirement calculator lets you test that target against your real savings rate.

A worked example

For example, if you want $4,000 per month ($48,000 per year) in retirement income, you would need approximately $1,200,000 in your retirement fund. This calculator uses the 4% rule as its baseline but also shows depletion scenarios at higher and lower withdrawal rates.

Other factors that shape the number

Several factors influence how much you actually need: your expected retirement expenses, whether you'll receive Social Security or pension income, your health care costs, where you plan to live, and how long you expect to live in retirement. Most financial planners suggest replacing 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income.

Why starting early is so powerful

Starting early makes an enormous difference. Thanks to compound interest, $500 per month invested from age 25 grows to roughly $1.4 million by age 65 at a 7% return. The same $500 per month starting at age 35 grows to only about $610,000 — less than half. The extra 10 years of compounding nearly triples the result with the same monthly contribution.

Retirement Calculator Features

• On-track statusInstant "on track / behind" indicator with a specific gap amount and catch-up plan.
• 4% rule targetAutomatically computes your target nest egg (25× desired annual income).
• Inflation adjustmentResults shown in today's dollars as well as future dollars.
• Will it last?Model depletion at 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6% withdrawal rates.
• What-if scenariosCompare extra contribution, later retirement, or higher return side-by-side.
• Year-by-year growth chartVisualize balance growth up to and through retirement.
• Works for 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, SIPP, RRSPAny tax-advantaged retirement account.
• FIRE-compatiblePlan early retirement with savings rates above 40%.
• No signup, no trackingRuns entirely in your browser.

Retirement Savings by Target Income (Using the 4% Rule)

• $30,000/year$750,000 needed
• $40,000/year$1,000,000 needed
• $50,000/year$1,250,000 needed
• $60,000/year$1,500,000 needed
• $75,000/year$1,875,000 needed
• $100,000/year$2,500,000 needed
• $150,000/year$3,750,000 needed

These targets are in today's dollars; the calculator automatically inflates them to your retirement year so your purchasing power stays the same.

Who Should Use This Retirement Calculator?

• Mid-career professionalsCheck progress and adjust contributions to stay on track.
• Young savers (20s–30s)See how powerful starting early really is.
• Near-retirees (50s–60s)Model the last-mile savings sprint and pick a retirement age.
• FIRE enthusiastsPlan a 40-or-50 retirement and visualize the savings rate required.
• CouplesRun the calculator separately or combined to coordinate goals.
• Self-employed / 1099 workersPlan SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) contributions against a target.
• Expats & international workersModel UK SIPP, Canadian RRSP, Australian superannuation — the math is universal.

Retirement Planning Tips

• Capture your full employer 401(k) matchIt's the highest-return investment you'll ever make.
• Max Roth IRA contributionsEach year you qualify — tax-free growth is invaluable.
• Use HSAs as a stealth retirement accountTriple tax advantage if you can pay medical bills from cash.
• Increase contributions with raisesBump your 401(k) % by 1 point every year.
• Keep fees low1% vs. 0.1% expense ratio over 30 years can cost you 25%+ of your nest egg.
• DiversifyNo single stock, no single asset class. Broad index funds are the industry default.
• Rebalance annuallyLock in gains and keep your allocation aligned with your risk tolerance.
• Delay Social Security if you canEach year after full retirement age increases benefits ~8%.
• Plan for healthcareA couple retiring at 65 can expect $300k+ in lifetime medical costs.

Frequently Asked Questions