Retirement Calculator
Three questions, one calculator. Project your savings, find out how long money lasts, or calculate exactly what you need.
Your Retirement Savings Plan
Your Retirement Savings
Your Retirement Goal
Projected at Retirement
Projected Balance
$994,097
In Today's Dollars
$386,000
Total Contributed
$222,000
Growth Years
32 years
Interest Earned
$772,097
How Long Your Money Lasts
✅ Sustainable
Lasts 100+ years
Your withdrawal rate is sustainable long-term.
Balance Depleted In
16.2 years
Estimated depletion: April 2042
Monthly Withdrawal
$3,000
Safe Withdrawal Rate
0.72%/mo
Your Retirement Number
Nest Egg Needed
$1,187,000
Monthly Savings Needed
$973
Inflation-Adj. Income
$145,518/yr
For educational purposes only. Consult a licensed financial advisor for personalized retirement planning.
Savings Growth Over Time
Year-by-Year Breakdown
How to Use This Retirement Calculator
This calculator has three modes, each answering a different retirement question. Use "How much will I have?" to project your current savings plan — enter your age, target retirement age, current savings, and monthly contributions. "How long will it last?" takes your retirement balance and withdrawal amount and tells you when the money runs out. "How much do I need?" works backwards from your desired income to calculate your target nest egg and required monthly savings.
For all modes, use a realistic annual return. A 7% return reflects historical S&P 500 performance after inflation over long periods. For a more conservative estimate — especially for the years in retirement when you may shift to bonds — use 5–6%. The inflation rate defaults to 3%, the US long-term average; adjust if your planning assumptions differ.
The results update immediately when you click Calculate. Use the Share Result button to save a URL with your exact inputs — useful for comparing scenarios or sharing with a financial advisor.
How Retirement Projections Are Calculated
Mode A (How much will I have?) uses the compound growth formula with monthly contributions — same math as a compound interest calculator, but run for the years between now and retirement. It also shows your balance in "today's dollars" by adjusting for inflation over the full period.
Mode B (How long will it last?) simulates monthly draws from your portfolio. Each month: apply the monthly return rate to your balance, then subtract your withdrawal. Withdrawals increase annually by the inflation rate (so your purchasing power stays constant). The simulation ends when the balance hits zero or reaches 100 years.
Mode C (How much do I need?) uses a two-step calculation. First, it computes the nest egg needed as the present value of an annuity — a stream of inflation-adjusted income payments over your retirement years, discounted at the real return rate (Fisher equation). Then it calculates the monthly savings required (PMT formula) to reach that nest egg, after accounting for how much your current savings will grow.
The 4% rule (from the 1994 Bengen study) offers a simple cross-check: your retirement nest egg should be about 25× your desired annual withdrawal. It assumes a 30-year retirement with a balanced portfolio. This calculator's Mode C uses a more precise calculation, but the 4% rule is useful for quick sanity checks.
Understanding Your Retirement Results
In Mode A, the "In Today's Dollars" figure is more meaningful for planning than the nominal projection. If your plan shows $994,000 at retirement in 32 years, that sounds impressive — but at 3% inflation, it's worth about $386,000 in today's purchasing power. That's still strong, but it reframes what a million dollars will actually buy.
In Mode B, remember that your portfolio's longevity depends heavily on sequence of returns risk — the risk that poor returns early in retirement (when your balance is largest) permanently impair your portfolio. The 4% rule's 30-year sustainability was derived from historical US market data; actual results vary.
Social Security significantly extends portfolio longevity in Mode B. The average 2026 benefit is $1,900/month. If you're withdrawing $3,000/month but receive $1,900 from Social Security, you only need $1,100/month from your portfolio — extending its life dramatically. Reduce your withdrawal amount to account for Social Security income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to retire?
A common rule: save 25× your desired annual retirement income (4% rule). For $60,000/year in retirement, you'd need approximately $1.5 million. This assumes a 30-year retirement and a diversified portfolio. Adjust for your expected retirement length, other income sources like Social Security ($1,900/month average in 2026), and spending needs.
What is the 4% rule for retirement?
The 4% rule (from the 1994 Bengen study) says you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year 1, then adjust for inflation annually, with low risk of running out over 30 years. A $1 million portfolio generates $40,000/year. Some planners now use 3.3–3.5% for longer retirements or lower expected returns.
How long will $500,000 last in retirement?
With $500,000, withdrawing $3,000/month, a 5% return, and 3% inflation, the money lasts approximately 16 years. Add Social Security (average $1,900/month in 2026 per SSA) and reduce your withdrawal to $1,100/month — then the portfolio lasts well over 30 years. Use the "How Long Will It Last?" tab for your specific numbers.
When should I start saving for retirement?
The earlier the better. Contributing $300/month from age 25 to 65 at 7% return yields approximately $1.4 million. Starting at 35 yields just $680,000 — half as much for the same monthly contribution. The difference isn't just 10 years of contributions; it's 10 fewer years of compounding on every dollar already saved.
How much of my income should I save for retirement?
Most financial planners recommend 15% of gross income, including any employer match. If you start late, 20–25% may be needed to catch up. At minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer 401(k) match — that's an immediate 50–100% return on those dollars, better than any investment you can make.
What is the average Social Security benefit in 2026?
The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2026 is approximately $1,900/month ($22,800/year), according to the SSA. The maximum benefit for someone retiring at full retirement age is about $3,822/month. Delaying benefits past full retirement age increases payments by 8% per year up to age 70.
Can I retire on $1 million?
Yes — $1 million can support retirement. The 4% rule yields $40,000/year. Add average Social Security ($22,800/year) for $62,800 total annual income. In many parts of the US, that's comfortable. In high cost-of-living cities like NYC or San Francisco, you may need $2–3 million. Your specific location and lifestyle determine the right number.