Retirement Calculator
Free retirement calculator: what you will have saved, the monthly income it pays in today's money, how much to save for your goal and how long it lasts.
No currency is shown on purpose: the figures come out in whatever unit you type in.
| Age | Contributed | Balance | In today's money |
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What it does
It projects your savings month by month until retirement, and then works out how much income they can pay, rising with inflation, until the age you plan for. Everything you type about the future is in today's money, so a goal of 4,000 a month in 30 years means 4,000 of today's purchasing power. If you fall short, it tells you how much to save each month instead, and at what age the money would run out.
How to use it
- Type your age, when you want to retire and the age to plan until; 90 or 95 is a prudent choice.
- Add what you have saved, what you save each month and the income you want, minus any pension you will get.
- Read whether you are on track, the monthly saving that would close any gap, and the year-by-year table.
The arithmetic runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere and nothing is stored, so you can use these with real numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What return and inflation should I use?
Use returns you can expect after fees. A diversified stock and bond portfolio has historically returned around 5–7% a year before inflation in the US; cash and bonds return less. Long-run inflation targets are around 2–3%. Try a pessimistic case too: a plan that only works at 9% is not a plan.
What is the 4% rule?
A rule of thumb from US studies of past markets: withdrawing 4% of your savings in the first year, then the same amount adjusted for inflation, lasted at least 30 years in most historical periods. The calculator shows it for comparison, but its own figure uses your returns and the age you plan until.
Why does it say "in today's money"?
Because a million in 30 years buys much less than a million today. With 3% inflation, prices more than double in 30 years. Showing the result in today's money lets you compare it with the life you know.
Does it include taxes?
No. Taxes depend on the account (a 401(k), an IRA, a pension plan or a taxable account) and on the country. Use the income you want after tax and add a margin, or use returns after tax for taxable accounts.
Wikipedia — Retirement planning
Wikipedia — Trinity study
Wikipedia — Real and nominal value