Retirement Calculator
Enter your details below and find out exactly how much you need to save — and whether you're on track to get there.
⚠️ Not Financial Advice: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on your inputs and standard financial formulas. They do not account for taxes, Social Security, pensions, or your specific circumstances. See full disclaimer →
Include 401(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts
How much you save each month toward retirement
Estimate what you'll spend per year in today's dollars
Historical S&P 500 average is ~10% before inflation
How long your savings need to last (life expectancy minus retirement age)
Your Retirement Number
Total savings needed at retirement
Projected at Retirement
$0
Savings Gap
$0
Years to Retirement
35
Monthly Needed to Close Gap
$0
| Age | Year | Annual Contribution | Portfolio Value | Interest Earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Click Calculate to generate your projection table. | ||||
Use our Compound Interest Calculator to model exactly how your investments grow year by year — with or without monthly contributions.
Open Compound Interest Calculator →Your "retirement number" is the total amount of money you need saved by the time you retire to sustain your lifestyle without running out of funds. It's the single most important figure in retirement planning — and most Americans don't know what theirs is.
This calculator uses the 25x Rule (derived from the 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate) as its baseline: multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25 to estimate the nest egg you need. For example, if you want $60,000/year in retirement, your target is $1,500,000.
The calculator combines three core calculations:
The gap between your projected savings and your retirement number tells you whether you're on track — and how much more you'd need to contribute monthly to close it.
The 4% rule is a widely used retirement planning guideline developed from the Trinity Study (1998). It states that if you withdraw 4% of your portfolio in your first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year after, your savings have a high probability of lasting 30 years.
This means: Retirement Number = Annual Income ÷ 0.04, which is the same as Annual Income × 25.
Keep in mind the 4% rule is a guideline, not a guarantee. Actual results depend on market conditions, your spending flexibility, Social Security income, and how long you live.
In 2026, you can contribute up to $23,500/year to a 401(k) and $7,000/year to an IRA ($8,000 if you're 50+). These limits increase most years. Maxing these before investing in taxable accounts is one of the highest-leverage moves in retirement planning.
If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, failing to contribute enough to capture the full match is leaving free money on the table. A 50% match on up to 6% of salary is effectively a 3% pay raise — guaranteed, immediate return.
Lifestyle inflation is one of the biggest retirement killers. Every time you get a raise, redirect at least half the increase to your retirement savings before you adjust your spending. Even 1% more per year compounds dramatically over 20–30 years.
Rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA when you change employers — rather than cashing it out — preserves decades of compound growth. A $20,000 cash-out at age 35 could cost you $150,000+ by retirement at a 7% return, plus you'll owe income tax and a 10% penalty.
Dividend income can supplement withdrawals in retirement and reduce pressure on your principal. Learn more in our Guides section.
This calculator does not include Social Security benefits — intentionally. Social Security is meant to supplement retirement income, not replace it. The average monthly benefit in 2026 is approximately $1,900/month ($22,800/year). If you plan to collect Social Security, you can reduce your retirement number accordingly.
To estimate your benefit, visit ssa.gov/myaccount and review your Social Security statement.
How much do I need to retire at 65?
It depends on your desired lifestyle. A common benchmark is 10–12x your final salary, or 25x your annual retirement spending. If you plan to spend $60,000/year, you'd need approximately $1.5 million. Use the calculator above with your own numbers for a personalized estimate.
What is the 4% withdrawal rule?
The 4% rule suggests you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year, and have a high probability of your savings lasting 30 years. It implies a retirement number of 25x your annual spending.
What return rate should I use?
A 7% real return (after inflation) is a commonly used moderate assumption based on long-term U.S. stock market averages. Conservative investors might use 5–6%; aggressive investors might use 8–10%. The more conservative your assumption, the safer your plan.
Does this calculator include Social Security?
No — this calculator focuses on personal savings only. To factor in Social Security, estimate your expected monthly benefit at ssa.gov and subtract the annual amount from your retirement income target before entering it in the calculator.
What if I have a pension?
If you have a pension that covers part of your retirement income, reduce your annual income target in the calculator by the annual pension amount. For example, if your pension pays $20,000/year and you want $60,000 total, enter $40,000 as your income target.
Can I retire early?
Yes — but early retirement requires a larger nest egg because your savings need to last longer. If you retire at 55 and live to 90, that's 35 years of withdrawals vs. 20 if you retire at 70. Many early retirees use a more conservative 3–3.5% withdrawal rate. Change your retirement age and years in retirement in the calculator to model different scenarios.
Retirement starts with what you save now. Use our Budget Calculator to see exactly where your money goes — and how much more you could be putting away.
Try the Budget Calculator →