Retirement Calculator
Plan your financial future with our comprehensive retirement savings calculator. Calculate how much you’ll have at retirement, your sustainable monthly income using the 4% rule, and see the impact of employer’s match.
Your Information
Quick Scenarios
Your Retirement Plan
Total Savings at 65
$1,825,669
Monthly Income (4% Rule)
$6,086
Years Funded
25+ years
Total Employer Match
$15,050
How to Use This Calculator
- 1
Enter Your Current Details
Start with your current age, savings amount, and target retirement age.
- 2
Set Your Contribution Amount
Enter how much you plan to contribute monthly to your retirement account.
- 3
Input Investment Assumptions
Estimate your annual return (typically 6-8%) and include your employer’s match percentage.
- 4
Review Your Projection
See your projected retirement balance, sustainable monthly income, and years of funding.
- 5
Export for Further Analysis
Download your year-by-year projection as a CSV file to track in your own spreadsheets.
Understanding the 4% Rule
The 4% rule is a retirement planning guideline based on the Trinity Study, which analyzed historical market performance from 1926 to 1995. The rule suggests that if you withdraw 4% of your portfolio in your first year of retirement, and adjust that amount for inflation in subsequent years, you have a 95% success rate of not running out of money over a 30-year retirement.
Key Assumptions:
- • 60% stocks / 40% bonds portfolio allocation
- • 3% average inflation
- • 30-year retirement horizon
- • Adjusting withdrawals annually for inflation
Retirement Scenarios
Conservative Saver
- Current Age: 35
- Retirement Age: 67
- Monthly Contribution: $300
- Current Savings: $25,000
- Expected Return: 6%
Projected Retirement Balance: ~$520,000
Monthly Income (4%): ~$1,733
Moderate Saver
- Current Age: 30
- Retirement Age: 65
- Monthly Contribution: $750
- Current Savings: $50,000
- Expected Return: 7%
Projected Retirement Balance: ~$1,280,000
Monthly Income (4%): ~$4,267
Aggressive Saver
- Current Age: 25
- Retirement Age: 60
- Monthly Contribution: $1,500
- Current Savings: $75,000
- Expected Return: 8%
Projected Retirement Balance: ~$2,150,000
Monthly Income (4%): ~$7,167
Late Start Saver
- Current Age: 45
- Retirement Age: 70
- Monthly Contribution: $1,200
- Current Savings: $100,000
- Expected Return: 7%
Projected Retirement Balance: ~$750,000
Monthly Income (4%): ~$2,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4% rule and is it reliable?▼
The 4% rule suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio annually. Based on historical data from 1926-1995, this approach had a 95% success rate over 30-year retirements. However, market conditions vary, so it’s best to review periodically and adjust as needed.
How does employer match work?▼
Employer match is free money your employer contributes to your retirement account based on your contributions. A common match is "100% up to 5%", meaning if you contribute 5% of your salary, your employer matches it dollar-for-dollar. This calculator includes match in the projection.
What annual return should I assume?▼
Historical stock market returns average 7-10% annually (before inflation). Conservative estimates use 6-7%, while bond portfolios average 3-5%. A balanced portfolio might target 6-7%. Use a rate that matches your risk tolerance and asset allocation.
Should I max out my 401(k)?▼
A common strategy is to contribute enough to capture your full employer match first. Then, if you have the capacity, max out your 401(k) ($24,500 in 2024) and use an IRA. This calculator helps you see the impact of different contribution levels.
Can I retire early?▼
Yes, but it requires planning. Lower your retirement age and see the impact. Early retirees often use the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) method, targeting 25-30 times annual expenses rather than 4% withdrawals. Consider healthcare costs before age 65.
How often should I update my calculation?▼
Review your retirement plan annually or when your circumstances change (salary, job, investment allocation). This calculator uses nominal values; track inflation and real returns separately for long-term planning accuracy.