Retirement Calculator
Estimate your savings balance when you retire.
Personal Wealth & Decision Suite
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How to Use
Enter current retirement savings
Input your existing 401k, IRA, or pension balance. Enter 0 if starting fresh.
Set monthly contribution amount
How much you plan to add to retirement accounts each month.
Set the expected annual return
Use 7% for a long-term diversified portfolio; 5-6% for conservative estimates.
Set years until retirement
Adjust this to see the compounding impact of starting earlier or working longer.
Planning for Retirement
The earlier you start saving, the more powerful compound interest becomes. Use this calculator to see if your current monthly contributions will be enough to hit your retirement goals.
Real-World Examples & Use Cases
First-Time Retirement Planning
Many people in their 20s and 30s delay retirement planning because it seems distant. This calculator makes the case concrete: a 27-year-old contributing $400 per month at 7% return retires at 65 with approximately $1.1 million — contributing only $182,400 of their own money while compound growth adds the remainder. Starting even 5 years later at 32 reduces this to roughly $760,000 under the same conditions. Seeing specific projections transforms retirement planning from vague intent into immediate motivated action.
Catch-Up Savings Assessment
Individuals approaching 50 who feel behind on retirement savings use this calculator to model realistic catch-up scenarios. The IRS allows extra catch-up contributions to 401k plans ($7,500 additional per year) for those over 50. A 52-year-old with $150,000 saved who adds maximum 401k contributions of $30,500/year for 13 years to age 65 at 6% return reaches approximately $850,000. The calculator shows whether catch-up contributions are sufficient or whether delayed retirement or reduced spending is also necessary.
Retirement Income Sufficiency Check
Knowing your projected savings balance is only part of retirement planning — you must verify the balance sustains your desired income. Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule: a $1 million portfolio supports $40,000 per year of withdrawals. If your projected retirement expenses are $60,000 annually, you need $1.5 million. The calculator helps you work backward from your income target to find the required savings balance, then forward from your contributions to see if you are on track to reach it.
Effect of Contribution Rate Changes
Employees receiving raises or bonuses often wonder how increasing their retirement contribution percentage affects long-term outcomes. A 30-year-old currently saving 6% of a $60,000 salary ($3,600/year = $300/month) who increases to 10% ($500/month) adds $200/month — which compounds to approximately $335,000 additional savings by age 65 at 7% return. Modeling the long-term retirement impact of today's contribution choices creates compelling motivation to maximize savings rates during high-earning years.
How It Works
Retirement savings projection uses compound interest with regular contributions: Future Value of Current Savings (lump sum): FV = PV × (1 + r)^n Future Value of Regular Monthly Contributions: FV = PMT × [(1 + r)^n - 1] / r Where: - PV = Current savings balance - PMT = Monthly contribution - r = Monthly return rate (annual rate ÷ 12) - n = Total months until retirement Total projected balance = FV of current savings + FV of monthly contributions Example: Starting with $50,000, adding $500/month, 7% annual return, 25 years: - Current savings growth: 50,000 × (1.07)^25 = $271,372 - Monthly contributions: 500 × [(1.07)^25 - 1] / (0.07/12) = $405,620 (approx) - Total: ~$677,000
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to retire comfortably?▼
What is a good monthly retirement contribution?▼
What return rate should I use in retirement projections?▼
What is the 4% withdrawal rule?▼
Should I use a 401k or IRA for retirement savings?▼
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