This retirement savings calculator estimates how much your savings could be worth when you stop working, and how much you may need to save each month to reach your income goal. Enter your own numbers; the results update as you type. Nothing is stored.
How the retirement calculator works
It grows your current savings and your total monthly contributions (yours plus any employer match) at the annual return you choose, compounded monthly, until your retirement age. It then shows the result twice: in future dollars and in today’s dollars, adjusted for inflation, so you can judge what the money will really buy.
To turn a lump sum into income, the calculator uses the 4% rule of thumb. It suggests that withdrawing about 4% of your portfolio in the first year, then adjusting for inflation, has historically lasted around 30 years. It is a guideline, not a guarantee. A longer retirement, poor early market returns or higher spending can all change the outcome.
Example: age 30, retiring at 67
Take the default inputs: $20,000 saved today, $500 a month from you and $150 from your employer, a 6.5% return and 2.5% inflation. Over 37 years the calculator projects about $1,420,947. In today’s dollars, that equals roughly $569,895, which the 4% rule translates to about $1,900 a month before Social Security. That shows why the monthly goal field matters: a $4,500 target needs a much larger nest egg than these defaults produce.
Know the 2026 contribution limits
You can put up to $24,500 into a 401(k) in 2026, plus an extra $8,000 catch-up if you are 50 or older (and $11,250 for ages 60 to 63). The IRA limit is $7,500, plus $1,100 catch-up at 50 and older. Combined employer and employee 401(k) contributions can reach $72,000. See our guide to 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026 for details and income phase-outs.
What to do if the calculator shows a gap
A shortfall is common and fixable. You can raise your monthly contribution, work a little longer, delay Social Security, lower your target spending, or earn a higher employer match. Capturing the full match is usually the first move because it is an immediate return. Read how much to save for retirement for benchmarks by age, and why a Roth IRA is worth considering under 30. Self-employed readers can look at the solo 401(k).
What this calculator does not include
It does not include Social Security, pensions, taxes, health costs, or changes in spending. You can estimate your own benefit at the Social Security Administration (my Social Security account). Use the result as a starting point for planning, then revisit it every year.
Retirement savings calculator FAQ
What return should I use?
Many planners use between 5% and 7% for a diversified portfolio over decades. Using a lower number is the safer way to plan, since it builds a margin for bad years.
Should I count my employer match?
Yes. The match is part of the money that compounds. Enter the amount your employer adds each month in the match field.
Is the 4% rule still valid?
It remains a popular rule of thumb, but researchers debate the right number, and it depends on your retirement length and asset mix. Treat it as an estimate and review it regularly.
This calculator is for education only and is not personalized financial advice.