Retirement Calculator

A retirement calculator helps you estimate how much money you'll have saved by the time you retire. By entering your current age, savings, contributions, and expected investment returns, you can see whether you're on track to meet your retirement goals — and adjust your saving habits if needed.

A common rule of thumb is that you'll need about 70–90% of your pre-retirement income each year in retirement. For a more personalized estimate, consider your expected lifestyle, healthcare costs, and any other income sources like Social Security or a pension. Our calculator uses your income and spending percentage to estimate your target.

Most financial experts recommend saving at least 15% of your gross income for retirement, including any employer match. However, the right amount depends on your current age, retirement goals, and existing savings. The earlier you start, the less you need to save each month thanks to compound interest.

A widely used guideline is the 4% rule — withdrawing 4% of your total retirement savings in the first year and adjusting for inflation annually. This is designed to make your savings last approximately 30 years. Our calculator estimates your monthly income from savings based on your post-retirement rate of return.

How long your savings last depends on your withdrawal rate, investment returns, inflation, and life expectancy. If you withdraw too much too quickly, you risk running out of money. The calculator factors in life expectancy and post-retirement returns to show whether your projected savings will cover your retirement years.

A 6% pre-retirement return and a 5% post-retirement return are commonly used defaults, reflecting a diversified investment portfolio. During retirement, a more conservative allocation (more bonds, less stocks) typically reduces risk and return. You can adjust these rates in the calculator to match your own investment strategy.

If you're behind, there are several strategies to catch up: increase your monthly contributions, delay your retirement age by a few years, reduce projected retirement spending, or explore higher-return investment options. If you're 50 or older, the IRS also allows 'catch-up' contributions to 401(k) and IRA accounts above the standard limits.

Yes — you can enter your expected monthly Social Security benefit (or other pension/passive income) in the 'Other Monthly Retirement Income' field. This is subtracted from your monthly income need, reducing the amount your savings must cover.