Retirement Calculator
Project your retirement savings and the yearly income they could support, using your age, savings, contributions and expected return.
How this retirement projection works
The calculator grows your current savings and your monthly contributions at the expected return until your retirement age. It then estimates a sustainable yearly income using a withdrawal rate, and shows the result in today's dollars by removing the effect of inflation.
The 4% rule
The 4% rule comes from research on historical US market returns. It found that retirees who withdrew 4% of their starting portfolio in year one, then raised the amount with inflation, rarely ran out of money over 30 years. Someone with $1,000,000 could therefore plan on about $40,000 a year. If you retire early or want extra safety, a rate of 3–3.5% is more conservative.
Example
A 35-year-old with $50,000 saved, contributing $800 a month at a 6% return, would have roughly $1.27 million by 67. At a 4% withdrawal rate that supports about $50,600 a year, or about $23,000 in today's dollars after 2.5% inflation. Raising contributions to $1,200 a month lifts the balance to around $1.73 million.
How much do you need?
Many planners suggest aiming to replace 70–80% of your pre-retirement income from all sources combined. Social Security or a state pension usually covers part of this. Another quick check is the "25× rule": multiply the yearly income you want from savings by 25 to get a target balance, which is the 4% rule in reverse.
Ways to close a gap
- Capture the full employer match; it is an instant 50–100% return.
- Raise your contribution by 1% each year or each time you get a raise.
- Use tax-advantaged accounts such as a 401(k), IRA or Roth IRA.
- Working two or three years longer adds contributions, extra growth and fewer years to fund.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I have saved for retirement by age?
A popular benchmark is 1× your salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60 and 10× by 67. Your target depends on your retirement age and lifestyle.
What return should I assume?
A balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds has historically returned around 5–7% a year after fees. Lower the rate as you approach retirement and shift toward bonds.
Is the 4% rule still safe?
It held up in most historical periods over 30 years, but it is a guideline. Flexible spending, such as cutting withdrawals in bad market years, improves the odds considerably.
Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Results are estimates; check important decisions with a qualified professional.