Retirement Savings Calculator
Estimate your retirement savings based on current age, savings, monthly contributions, and expected returns.
The key driver behind retirement wealth is compound growth. When your investment returns are reinvested, they begin generating returns of their own. Over a span of decades, this compounding effect transforms even modest monthly contributions into a significant retirement balance. Someone who starts contributing $500 per month at age 25 will accumulate far more than someone who starts the same contribution at age 40, even though the total dollars contributed may not differ dramatically.
Beyond the math, understanding your projected retirement balance helps you make smarter decisions today. It reveals whether you need to increase your savings rate, adjust your investment allocation, or reconsider your target retirement age. It also highlights the cost of delay – every year you postpone saving is a year of lost compounding.
Use this calculator to enter your current age, planned retirement age, existing savings, monthly contribution, and expected annual return. The tool will show you the total amount you will have contributed and the estimated balance at retirement, giving you a clear picture of where you stand and what adjustments might be needed.
Calculator
Results
How to Use
- Enter your current age
- Enter your planned retirement age
- Enter your current total retirement savings
- Enter the amount you contribute each month
- Enter your expected annual rate of return as a percentage
- Click Calculate to see your projected retirement balance
FAQ
What annual return should I assume for retirement planning?
A commonly used assumption is 7% per year for a diversified stock portfolio, which reflects the historical average of the US stock market after inflation. More conservative portfolios with bonds might assume 4-5%. Use a rate that matches your risk tolerance and investment strategy.
How much should I save each month for retirement?
A widely cited guideline is to save at least 15% of your gross 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 test different contribution levels.
Does this calculator account for inflation?
This calculator shows a nominal future value. To approximate real (inflation-adjusted) results, subtract the expected inflation rate from your expected return. For example, if you expect 7% nominal returns and 3% inflation, enter 4% as your expected return to see results in today's dollars.
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