Retirement Savings Calculator
Enter what you have, what you save monthly, and when you want to retire. See your projected nest egg and the yearly income it can sustainably provide.
| Sustainable income (4% rule) | — |
| Per month | — |
| Your total deposits | — |
| Growth does the rest | — |
How the projection works
Your current savings and every monthly contribution compound at the return you set until retirement age. Using a 7% return (the US stock market’s rough long-run average after inflation) keeps every result in today’s buying power — the honest way to plan.
Sustainable income ≈ Nest egg × 4%
The "4% rule" comes from historical studies (the Trinity study): withdrawing 4% of the starting balance, inflation-adjusted yearly, survived nearly every 30-year retirement in US market history. It is a planning guide, not a guarantee.
Worked example
Age 30, $25,000 saved, $600/month, retiring at 65 at 7%: roughly $1.06M in today’s dollars — about $42,000/year of sustainable income. Deposits total $277,000; compounding contributes the other ~$780,000. Start the same plan at 40 and the nest egg roughly halves — the first decade does the heaviest lifting.
If the number comes up short
- Raise contributions — each extra $100/month from age 30 adds roughly $120,000 by 65 at 7%.
- Capture the full employer match — check the 401(k) match calculator; unmatched dollars are a voluntary pay cut.
- Retire later — three extra years often beats a decade of extra saving, because the biggest balance compounds longest.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
A common target is 25× your desired annual spending (the inverse of the 4% rule). Wanting $50,000/year from savings means roughly $1.25M — less whatever Social Security or pensions cover.
Is 7% a realistic return?
It approximates the US stock market’s long-run inflation-adjusted average. Using it means results are in today’s dollars. Conservative planners use 5–6%; portfolios heavy in bonds should use less.
What is the 4% rule?
Withdraw 4% of your starting balance in year one of retirement, then adjust for inflation annually. Historically this survived nearly all 30-year periods. Retiring very early usually calls for 3–3.5%.
Does this include Social Security?
No — it projects personal savings only. The average US benefit replaces roughly $20,000+/year; subtract your estimated benefit from your income need before sizing the nest egg.
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Last updated: 2026-07-08