Retirement Savings Calculator
Retirement planning starts from the income you want, not the balance you have. Choose a target annual spending figure, subtract expected pension or Social Security income, and the remainder is what your portfolio has to cover.
Retirement savings estimate
How the estimate works
- Portfolio need equals annual spending covered by savings, divided by your chosen safe withdrawal rate.
- Future value of current savings equals the balance times (one plus the expected real return) raised to the number of years remaining.
- Future value of ongoing contributions uses the standard annuity formula for the same return and horizon.
- The gap between the target and the projected total is what your contribution rate has to close.
Assumptions matter more than precision
Returns, inflation, taxes, health costs, and retirement dates are all uncertain. Use conservative real-return assumptions and re-check the plan annually. Results are estimates only and are not investment, tax, or financial advice.
Assumptions and review
Formula review: July 29, 2026. The return input is a real return after inflation so the spending target and projection remain in today's dollars.
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Frequently asked questions
How much should I save for retirement?
A common planning starting point is 15% of gross income, including any employer match. The amount you actually need depends on your target retirement income, your expected retirement age, and how long the money has to last.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule is a planning shorthand suggesting that withdrawing about 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation, has historically lasted roughly 30 years. It implies a target portfolio near 25 times annual spending. It is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
How does compound interest affect retirement savings?
Returns earned on prior returns grow the balance faster the longer money stays invested. Because of compounding, contributions made early in a career typically contribute far more to the final balance than identical contributions made near retirement.