Retirement Calculator
See how much you need to retire comfortably — free, no account required, and your numbers never leave your device. Enter your current savings, monthly contributions, and retirement income needs to get your projected nest egg, monthly income, and a year-by-year savings schedule.
Your Profile
Savings & Contributions
Retirement Income Needs
Projected Nest Egg at Age 65
$1,193,434
in 35 years
Total Contributions
$235,000
Interest Earned
$958,434
Monthly Income (4% SWR)
$3,978
Monthly Gap / Surplus
+$1,478
Your savings generate enough income to last indefinitely.
The portfolio return covers your monthly withdrawal — adjust expenses or income to see the impact.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Results assume a constant rate of return and do not account for taxes, fees, inflation, or market volatility. Consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.
How It Works
Enter your age and goal
Tell us how old you are today and when you'd like to retire. The gap between the two is your savings window.
Add your savings and contributions
Enter what you've saved so far across all retirement accounts, how much you add each month, and your expected annual return.
Set your retirement spending
Enter your expected monthly expenses in retirement and any other income (Social Security, pension) you'll receive.
See your retirement outlook
Results update instantly — your projected nest egg, monthly income, monthly gap, and how long your savings will last. Nothing leaves your browser.
How to Use the Retirement Calculator
- Enter your current age and your target retirement age.
- Enter your current retirement savings — include all accounts (401(k), IRA, brokerage, etc.).
- Set your monthly contribution — how much you add each month across all accounts.
- Enter your expected annual return rate before retirement (7% is a widely used long-term average for diversified portfolios).
- Enter a more conservative return rate for after you retire — many planners use 4–5% to reflect a less aggressive allocation in retirement.
- Set your expected monthly expenses in retirement — housing, food, healthcare, leisure, etc.
- Add any expected guaranteed monthly income — Social Security, a pension, rental income, or an annuity.
- Review your projected nest egg, monthly income, monthly surplus or shortfall, and savings longevity instantly.
- Toggle Show year-by-year savings schedule to see exactly how your balance grows each year.
Understanding the Results
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Projected Nest Egg | The total balance you are projected to have at your target retirement age, including all contributions and compound growth. |
| Monthly Income (4% SWR) | Your projected nest egg multiplied by 4% (the safe withdrawal rate), divided by 12. This is a common estimate of how much you can safely withdraw each month without depleting your savings over a 30-year retirement. |
| Monthly Gap / Surplus | The difference between your total monthly retirement income (savings withdrawals + other income) and your expected monthly expenses. A surplus means you're on track; a shortfall means you may need to save more or reduce planned spending. |
| Savings Longevity | An estimate of how many years your savings will last if you withdraw only what your other income doesn't cover. Calculated using the standard loan/annuity depletion formula at your specified in-retirement return rate. |
| Interest Earned | The investment growth portion of your nest egg — the difference between your total contributions and your projected final balance. |
What Return Rate Should I Use?
The return rate is one of the most important inputs. Here are commonly used benchmarks:
- 7% — Historical average annual real return (after inflation) for a broadly diversified US stock portfolio (S&P 500 long-term average).
- 6% — A moderate mixed portfolio (stocks + bonds). Commonly used for a balanced 60/40 allocation.
- 4–5% — Conservative estimate often used for in-retirement drawdown, reflecting a more bond-heavy portfolio.
- 3% — Very conservative; appropriate for mostly fixed-income or cash-equivalent assets.
These are estimates only. Past returns do not guarantee future results. A qualified financial adviser can help you choose a rate appropriate for your risk tolerance and time horizon.
The 4% Safe Withdrawal Rule Explained
The 4% rule originates from the Trinity Study (1998), which found that a retiree withdrawing 4% of their initial portfolio in year one — and adjusting for inflation each subsequent year — had a very high probability of not outliving their savings over a 30-year retirement, across most historical market conditions.
This calculator uses 4% as a monthly income estimate, not a strict withdrawal plan. For a longer retirement horizon (35+ years) or more volatile markets, some planners now recommend a 3–3.5% rate. For shorter retirements, a higher rate may be sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is my financial data stored or shared?
- No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you enter is sent to or stored on any server.
- Does this account for inflation?
- The calculator uses nominal return rates. To approximate inflation-adjusted results, reduce your return rate by the expected inflation rate (e.g., use 5% instead of 7% if you expect 2% annual inflation). All dollar amounts shown are in today's dollars at the entered return rate.
- Does this include taxes or fees?
- No. The calculator does not model income tax on withdrawals, capital gains tax, fund management fees, or advisory costs. These can significantly affect your actual outcomes and should be factored in with a financial adviser.
- How is Social Security income handled?
- Enter your expected monthly Social Security or pension income in the "Other Monthly Income" field. The calculator subtracts this from your monthly expenses to determine how much your savings need to cover, which directly affects your savings longevity projection.