Retirement Calculator

Free retirement calculator. Project your retirement savings from current age, current savings, monthly contributions, and expected return, and compare against a target nest egg.

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This tool has a free JSON API. Copy a prompt or skill below to use it with ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI agent — no API key needed.

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How retirement calculator works

Retirement saving works through long-term compound growth. Each year your existing savings earn a return, and new contributions are added. Over decades, the growth on growth (compound interest) usually outweighs the money you put in, which is why starting early matters more than the amount you start with.

This calculator projects your savings at retirement using the future value of your current savings (compounded monthly) plus the future value of your monthly contributions treated as an ordinary annuity. It accepts your current and retirement age, current savings, monthly contribution, and an expected annual return (7% is a common long-term stock-market assumption). If you set a target nest egg, it also reports whether you are on track and the monthly contribution needed to hit it.

Enter your details and click Calculate. The result is an estimate assuming steady contributions and a constant return; real markets fluctuate. Treat it as a planning guide and revisit it as your income, expenses, and returns change. For a withdrawal plan, also consider inflation and a safe withdrawal rate (often around 4%).

Frequently asked questions

How is the projected savings calculated?
As the future value of your current savings compounded monthly, plus the future value of your monthly contributions as an ordinary annuity, both at the annual return you specify.
What return rate should I use?
A common long-term assumption for a stock-heavy portfolio is about 7% after inflation. Use a lower rate for conservative portfolios and a higher one only if you accept more risk. The rate is a planning assumption, not a guarantee.
What is the 4% rule?
A common guideline that you can withdraw about 4% of a balanced retirement portfolio per year with a reasonable chance of it lasting 30 years. This calculator focuses on accumulation; pair it with a withdrawal-rate check for the drawdown phase.
Does it account for inflation or taxes?
No. The projection is in nominal terms at the rate you enter. To plan in today's dollars, use a real (inflation-adjusted) return — for example 4-5% for stocks — or subtract expected inflation from your assumed return.