Project your retirement savings, see what monthly income the 4% rule would suggest, include contributions and an employer match, and test whether you are on track once inflation is counted.
Basic Retirement Savings Calculation
Comprehensive Retirement Planning
Advanced Retirement Strategy & Gap Analysis
What this retirement calculator does
- Basic: your current savings grown at an expected return until retirement, with the monthly income that the 4% rule would give.
- Intermediate: adds monthly contributions, an employer match and your income growth, and breaks the result into your contributions, employer contributions and investment growth.
- Advanced: adds the retirement income you want, expected Social Security and inflation, with a year-by-year table, the amount you need, the gap and your income replacement.
How it is calculated
Savings grow at the expected annual return. Monthly contributions are added and grown to retirement. The 4% rule takes 4% of the retirement balance as a first-year withdrawal. The balance you need is (desired income − Social Security) ÷ 0.04. The Advanced tab compares your balance in today’s dollars (after removing inflation) with that amount, which is also in today’s dollars.
Worked examples: $50,000 growing at 7% from age 30 to 65 becomes about $533,829, or about $1,779 a month under the 4% rule. In the Advanced tab, wanting $60,000 a year with $20,000 from Social Security means about $1,000,000 is needed. A projected $1,421,310 at age 65 is about $505,110 in today’s money at 3% inflation, a shortfall of about $494,890 and a 67% income replacement.
Things to keep in mind
The 4% rule is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee, and your needs, taxes and investment returns will vary. In the Intermediate tab, contributions are treated as made at the start of each year, which slightly overstates growth. Retirement age must be higher than your current age. These results are estimates for general information only and are not financial, tax, investment or legal advice. Real products have fees, rules and rates that differ, so check the details with your lender, provider or a qualified adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Why compare in today’s dollars?
Prices rise over time, so a large future balance buys less. Comparing in today’s dollars shows what it is worth against the income you want now.
What is an employer match?
Money your employer adds to your retirement account, often based on what you contribute. This calculator limits it to your own contribution.
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