Retirement Savings Calculator

Will you have enough to retire? Enter your age, savings, and contributions to see your projected balance and monthly retirement income.

Your Retirement Plan
CURRENT AGE 30
RETIREMENT AGE 65
$
$
7.00%
4.00%
$
✅ You're on track!
Projected Balance
$1.2M
at retirement
Monthly Income
$4,000
at 4% withdrawal
Years to Retire
35
years of growth
Projected Balance
Target
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Savings Milestones by Age
Age Projected Balance Total Contributed Growth
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How to Use This Retirement Calculator

Drag the age sliders to your current age and your target retirement age. Enter your current savings balance and how much you contribute each month. Adjust the annual return rate to reflect your investment strategy — 7% is a common estimate for a diversified stock portfolio over the long term.

The calculator shows your projected balance at retirement, estimated monthly income using the 4% safe withdrawal rate, and a milestone table showing your savings growth at every 5-year mark. If your projected balance exceeds your target, you'll see a green "on track" banner. If not, you can adjust your contributions to see how much more you'd need to save each month.

The Power of Starting Early

Compound growth is exponential, not linear — which means the first dollars you save are worth far more than dollars saved later. A 25-year-old saving $300/month at 7% annually will accumulate roughly $900,000 by age 65. Starting the same habit at 35 yields about $450,000 — exactly half, for the same total monthly contribution. The 10-year head start doubles the outcome.

If you're starting later, the levers you can pull are: increasing monthly contributions, working a few extra years, or targeting a slightly higher return through a more growth-oriented portfolio allocation. Each has tradeoffs the calculator can help you model.

Understanding the 4% Withdrawal Rule

The 4% rule — also called the safe withdrawal rate — is a guideline from the Trinity Study suggesting that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one of retirement (then adjusting for inflation annually) has historically sustained a 30-year retirement without running out of money. For a $1 million portfolio, that's $40,000 per year, or $3,333 per month. You can adjust this rate in the calculator above; a lower rate (e.g., 3%) is more conservative for longer retirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to retire?
The 25x rule is a common starting point: multiply your expected annual expenses in retirement by 25. If you plan to spend $60,000/year, you need $1.5 million. This is based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate. Your actual number depends on Social Security income, healthcare costs, and lifestyle.
What is the 4% rule for retirement?
The 4% rule says you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year, and statistically your money should last 30+ years. For $1 million, that's $40,000/year or $3,333/month.
How much should I save for retirement each month?
Most planners recommend saving 10–15% of gross income. The exact amount depends on your age and current savings. This calculator shows you the exact monthly contribution needed to hit your target — use the contribution field and adjust until your projected balance meets your goal.
What is a realistic investment return for retirement savings?
A diversified stock portfolio has historically returned 7–10% annually before inflation. A balanced portfolio (stocks + bonds) typically returns 5–7%. Most planners use 6–7% as a conservative long-term estimate. After 2–3% inflation, a real return of 4–5% is a safe planning assumption.
When should I start saving for retirement?
As early as possible. A 25-year-old saving $300/month at 7% accumulates ~$900,000 by 65. Starting the same savings at 35 yields only ~$450,000 — half as much for the same monthly contribution. Every decade of delay roughly halves the outcome.