Skip to content

Retirement Calculator

Estimate how your retirement savings could grow by the time you retire, and what that balance might be worth in today's dollars.

Free No signup Runs in your browser

Your Details

Include any employer 401(k) match you expect to receive.

Your calculations are performed locally in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent or stored.

Your Results Estimate

Estimated Retirement Balance —
Total Contributions
—
Investment Growth
—
Estimated Inflation-adjusted Value
—
Est. Annual Income at 4% (today's $)
—
Income Goal in Future Dollars
—
Estimated growth until retirement

Results are estimates based on the assumptions you entered. Actual results will vary and are not guaranteed.

About the Retirement Calculator

This calculator projects savings in accounts such as a 401(k), 403(b), traditional IRA, or Roth IRA using your current balance, monthly contributions, and an assumed annual return. It then adjusts the result for inflation so you can compare it with today's cost of living.

All results are estimates, not guarantees. Market returns, inflation, contribution levels, and life circumstances change, so it is worth revisiting your plan regularly.

How It Works

The years until retirement are your retirement age minus your current age. Your current savings and each monthly contribution grow at the monthly equivalent of your expected annual return until retirement.

The estimated balance is then divided by cumulative inflation to express it in today's dollars. For context, the calculator applies the widely cited 4% withdrawal rule of thumb to estimate an annual income the balance might support, and compares it with your income goal. This rule of thumb is a simplification, not a guarantee, and it excludes Social Security, pensions, and taxes.

Formula

Estimated balance at retirement
B = S(1 + i)m + C × [(1 + i)m − 1] / i
  • Scurrent retirement savings
  • Cmonthly contribution
  • imonthly return = (1 + annual return)^(1/12) − 1
  • mmonths until retirement
Inflation-adjusted value
Real Value = B / (1 + inflation)years
Estimated annual income (4% rule of thumb)
Income ≈ Real Value × 0.04

Example

A 30-year-old with $25,000 saved contributes $500 a month, assumes a 7% annual return and 3% inflation, and plans to retire at 65.

Inputs

Ages
30 → 65 (35 years)
Current savings
$25,000
Monthly contribution
$500
Return / inflation
7.00% / 3.00%

Results

Estimated balance
$1,122,621.35
Total contributions
$235,000.00
In today's dollars
$398,960.99
Est. income at 4%
$15,958/yr

Inflation makes a big difference: a balance of about $1.12 million in 35 years would buy roughly what $399,000 buys today, if inflation averages 3%.

Understanding Your Results

  • Estimated Retirement Balance: Your projected savings at retirement in future dollars.
  • Total Contributions: Your current savings plus all future monthly contributions.
  • Investment Growth: The estimated gain from returns over the years.
  • Inflation-adjusted Value: The balance expressed in today's purchasing power.
  • Income Goal in Future Dollars: Your desired annual income after inflation is applied until retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What return should I assume?
It depends on your asset mix and time horizon. Many people test a range, for example 5% to 8%, and plan around a conservative case. Returns are not guaranteed and can be negative in some years.
Does this include Social Security?
No. Social Security benefits, pensions, and other income would be in addition to the savings shown here. You can check your estimated benefits at ssa.gov.
Are taxes included?
No. Withdrawals from traditional 401(k)s and IRAs are generally taxed as income, while qualified Roth withdrawals are generally tax-free. Taxes are not modeled here.
What is the 4% rule?
It is a rule of thumb suggesting that withdrawing about 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement, adjusted for inflation afterward, has historically lasted around 30 years in many scenarios. It is a starting point for discussion, not a guarantee.
Does it account for IRS contribution limits?
No. Annual 401(k) and IRA contribution limits are set by the IRS and change over time. Make sure your planned contributions fit within the limits for your accounts.
Why show an inflation-adjusted value?
A dollar in the future typically buys less than a dollar today. The inflation-adjusted value shows the estimate in today's purchasing power, which is easier to compare with your current expenses.

You May Also Like

Retirement

401(k) Calculator

Project your 401(k) balance with your contributions and employer match.

Retirement

Roth IRA Calculator

Estimate your Roth IRA value and its tax-free growth by retirement.

Retirement

Traditional IRA Calculator

Estimate the future value of a Traditional IRA and its after-tax value.

Retirement

Retirement Contribution Calculator

Find how much to save each month to reach your retirement target.