Retirement Calculator
Estimate whether your current savings and monthly investing may support your long-term retirement goals.
What this calculator shows
It projects your savings to your chosen retirement age, then estimates a possible balance and income — shown both in future (nominal) dollars and in today's purchasing power. It is educational, not financial advice.
Your assumptions
Adjust the inputs and watch the projection update instantly.
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Years until retirement
35 years
Age 30 → 65.
Projected balance
$1,122,621
Future (nominal) dollars.
In today's dollars
$398,961
Inflation-adjusted purchasing power.
Total contributions
$210,000
Money you add over time.
Est. annual income
$44,905
≈ $15,958 in today's dollars.
Est. monthly income
$3,742
≈ $1,330 in today's dollars.
Portfolio growth
Projected balance in future dollars vs. its estimated value in today's purchasing power.
Contributions vs growth
How much of the balance comes from the money you invest versus the growth it generates.
Insights
What is driving your projection — and why assumptions matter as much as the numbers.
Growth vs contributions
Investment growth makes up 79.1% of the projected balance — the rest is money you contributed.
Inflation changes the picture
In today's dollars, the balance is worth about $398,961 — inflation quietly removes 64.5% of the nominal value.
Assumptions compound
A return just 1 point higher would change the projected balance by about $318,296 — small assumptions compound into large differences.
The estimated retirement income uses a simple withdrawal rate (balance × rate). It is a rough planning estimate, not a guarantee of safe, lasting income.
Year-by-year projection
How the balance builds each year from your starting balance, contributions, and growth.
| Age | Year | Starting | Contribution | Growth | Ending | Ending (today's $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 1 | $25,000 | $6,000 | $1,940 | $32,940 | $31,981 |
| 32 | 2 | $32,940 | $6,000 | $2,496 | $41,436 | $39,058 |
| 33 | 3 | $41,436 | $6,000 | $3,091 | $50,527 | $46,239 |
| 34 | 4 | $50,527 | $6,000 | $3,727 | $60,254 | $53,535 |
| 35 | 5 | $60,254 | $6,000 | $4,408 | $70,662 | $60,953 |
| 36 | 6 | $70,662 | $6,000 | $5,136 | $81,798 | $68,505 |
| 37 | 7 | $81,798 | $6,000 | $5,916 | $93,714 | $76,198 |
| 38 | 8 | $93,714 | $6,000 | $6,750 | $106,464 | $84,044 |
| 39 | 9 | $106,464 | $6,000 | $7,643 | $120,107 | $92,052 |
| 40 | 10 | $120,107 | $6,000 | $8,598 | $134,705 | $100,233 |
| 41 | 11 | $134,705 | $6,000 | $9,619 | $150,324 | $108,597 |
| 42 | 12 | $150,324 | $6,000 | $10,713 | $167,037 | $117,156 |
| 43 | 13 | $167,037 | $6,000 | $11,883 | $184,920 | $125,921 |
| 44 | 14 | $184,920 | $6,000 | $13,135 | $204,054 | $134,904 |
| 45 | 15 | $204,054 | $6,000 | $14,474 | $224,528 | $144,116 |
| 46 | 16 | $224,528 | $6,000 | $15,907 | $246,435 | $153,570 |
| 47 | 17 | $246,435 | $6,000 | $17,441 | $269,876 | $163,279 |
| 48 | 18 | $269,876 | $6,000 | $19,081 | $294,957 | $173,256 |
| 49 | 19 | $294,957 | $6,000 | $20,837 | $321,795 | $183,515 |
| 50 | 20 | $321,795 | $6,000 | $22,716 | $350,510 | $194,069 |
| 51 | 21 | $350,510 | $6,000 | $24,726 | $381,236 | $204,933 |
| 52 | 22 | $381,236 | $6,000 | $26,877 | $414,113 | $216,122 |
| 53 | 23 | $414,113 | $6,000 | $29,178 | $449,291 | $227,652 |
| 54 | 24 | $449,291 | $6,000 | $31,641 | $486,931 | $239,538 |
| 55 | 25 | $486,931 | $6,000 | $34,275 | $527,207 | $251,797 |
| 56 | 26 | $527,207 | $6,000 | $37,095 | $570,301 | $264,446 |
| 57 | 27 | $570,301 | $6,000 | $40,111 | $616,413 | $277,502 |
| 58 | 28 | $616,413 | $6,000 | $43,339 | $665,752 | $290,985 |
| 59 | 29 | $665,752 | $6,000 | $46,793 | $718,544 | $304,912 |
| 60 | 30 | $718,544 | $6,000 | $50,488 | $775,033 | $319,303 |
| 61 | 31 | $775,033 | $6,000 | $54,442 | $835,475 | $334,179 |
| 62 | 32 | $835,475 | $6,000 | $58,673 | $900,149 | $349,561 |
| 63 | 33 | $900,149 | $6,000 | $63,201 | $969,349 | $365,470 |
| 64 | 34 | $969,349 | $6,000 | $68,045 | $1,043,394 | $381,929 |
| 65 | 35 | $1,043,394 | $6,000 | $73,228 | $1,122,621 | $398,961 |
Understanding your retirement estimate
A few ideas that shape every long-term retirement projection.
How this calculator works
Starting from your current savings, it adds your monthly contributions and compounds the balance at your expected return each year until your retirement age. An optional annual increase raises contributions over time. Estimated income is simply the final balance multiplied by your withdrawal rate.
Why inflation matters
A large future balance can buy far less than the same amount today. That is why every result is also shown in today's dollars. Learn more about inflation and real return.
Why compounding matters
Because growth builds on previous growth, money invested earlier has more time to compound — often making time more important than the exact return. See compound interest for how this works.
Withdrawal rate basics
The withdrawal rate estimates how much you might draw from your balance each year in retirement. A figure like 4% is a common rule of thumb, but it is a simplified estimate — real outcomes depend on returns, their sequence, fees, taxes, and how long retirement lasts.
Common mistakes
Ignoring inflation
A big future balance can buy far less than it seems. Judge progress in today's dollars.
Assuming returns are guaranteed
Markets vary. Any single return assumption is one scenario, not a promise.
Starting too late
Compounding rewards time. Waiting a few years can meaningfully lower the ending balance.
Forgetting taxes and fees
This projection is before taxes, fees, and withdrawals rules — real spendable income is lower.
Treating this as advice
It's an educational estimate under your assumptions, not a personalized financial plan.
What this does not include: Social Security, pensions, or annuities, Taxes and investment fees, Required minimum distributions (RMDs), Sequence-of-returns risk and market volatility. Real spendable income would reflect these.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
It depends on your expected spending, lifestyle, and how long your money needs to last. A common starting point is estimating your annual retirement spending and dividing by a withdrawal rate (for example, 4%). This calculator estimates a possible balance and income under your assumptions — it is not a personalized target.
What return should I assume?
There is no correct number, because future returns are unknown. Many people use a conservative long-term assumption and then test lower and higher figures to see how sensitive the outcome is. Because returns are never guaranteed, treat any single figure as one scenario, not a prediction.
Why does the inflation-adjusted value matter?
Inflation gradually reduces what money can buy, so a large future balance may purchase far less than the same amount today. The inflation-adjusted (real) figures estimate your balance and income in today's purchasing power, which is usually a more meaningful way to judge whether a plan is on track.
Is the 4% rule guaranteed?
No. The withdrawal rate here is a simplified estimate, not a guarantee. Real outcomes depend on market returns, the order those returns arrive in, fees, taxes, and how long retirement lasts. It is a useful rule of thumb for rough planning, not a promise.
Does this include Social Security or a pension?
No. This calculator projects only your own savings and contributions. It does not assume Social Security, pensions, annuities, or any other income source. Those could meaningfully change your real retirement picture.
Should I include taxes?
This tool does not model taxes, fees, or required minimum distributions, so the projected balance and income are before those costs. Real spendable income is typically lower once taxes and fees are considered.
How often should I update my assumptions?
Reviewing your inputs periodically — for example once a year or after a major change in income, savings, or goals — helps keep the estimate relevant. Assumptions that made sense years ago may no longer reflect your situation.
Keep going
Continue your journey
Related tools and guides to help you decide what to explore next.
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Educational use only
Educational purposes only. Calculator results are estimates based on assumptions and user inputs. They are not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.