Free Retirement Calculator — How Much Do You Need?

Plan your retirement savings strategy and see if you're on track

100% free, no signup
Instant projections

Enter Your Details

Results update when you click Calculate

Your age today. Starting earlier gives compound growth more time to work.
years
The age you plan to stop working and begin drawing from retirement savings.
years
Total in 401(k), IRA, brokerage, and other retirement accounts today.
$
How much you add each month across all retirement accounts.
$
Average yearly investment return. A diversified portfolio often uses 6–8%.
%
Long-term inflation estimate. The historical U.S. average is roughly 3%.
%
Annual income you want in retirement, in today's dollars. Many people target 70–90% of current income.
$

Quick Preview

35 years
Until Retirement
$420,000
Total Contributions
7.0%
Expected Return

Your Retirement Plan

Path to financial independence by age 65

$1,546,895.92
Total at Retirement
$5,156.32
Monthly Income
30 years
Until Retirement
Needs Boost
Retirement Goal

Savings Rate

You're saving $9,600.00 annually towards retirement

Compound Growth

Time and compound interest will help grow your retirement savings significantly

Your Retirement Projection

Financial roadmap to your golden years

$1,546,895.92
Projected Savings
$5,156.32
Monthly Income
30 years
Until Retirement
$2,700,813.40
Savings Gap

Retirement Readiness

Consider increasing contributions to $1,745.86/month to meet your goal

Compound Growth Power

Your investments will grow 326% through compound returns

Retirement Planning Tips

Start Early

Time is your greatest asset. Starting just 5 years earlier can double your retirement savings due to compound growth.

Automate Savings

Set up automatic contributions to make saving effortless. Increase contributions annually as your income grows.

Diversify Investments

Spread risk across different asset classes. Consider low-cost index funds for broad market exposure.

Retirement Strategy Guide

Building a solid retirement plan requires understanding key principles and strategies:

401(k) & IRA Strategy
Maximize employer matching first, then contribute to IRAs for tax advantages.
Asset Allocation
Diversify across stocks, bonds, and other assets based on your age and risk tolerance.
Withdrawal Strategy
Plan your withdrawal sequence: taxable accounts first, then tax-deferred, then tax-free.

Retirement Timeline

Age 25
Start saving
Age 35
2x annual salary saved
Age 45
4x annual salary saved
Age 55
7x annual salary saved
Age 65
10x annual salary saved

Helpful Resources

Social Security Benefits

Official SSA retirement benefit information

IRS Retirement Plans

Tax-advantaged retirement savings options

Bogleheads Investment Guide

Low-cost, long-term investment strategies

DOL Retirement Planning

Department of Labor retirement guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I save for retirement?

Financial experts typically recommend saving 10-15% of your income for retirement. The exact amount depends on when you start, your desired retirement lifestyle, and other income sources like Social Security or pensions.

What is the 4% withdrawal rule?

The 4% rule suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement savings annually without running out of money. This calculator uses this rule to estimate your monthly retirement income.

When should I start saving for retirement?

The earlier you start, the better! Thanks to compound interest, starting in your 20s vs 30s can result in hundreds of thousands more in retirement savings, even with smaller contributions.

What about inflation and taxes?

This calculator includes inflation estimates. For taxes, consider using tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. In retirement, your tax rate may be lower, but plan accordingly.

Important Disclaimer

This retirement calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. Actual results may vary significantly based on market performance, inflation, life expectancy, and other factors.

Key considerations:

  • Investment returns are not guaranteed and may fluctuate significantly
  • Inflation will reduce the purchasing power of future dollars
  • Tax laws and retirement account rules may change
  • Healthcare costs in retirement can be substantial
  • Consider working with a qualified financial advisor for personalized retirement planning

This tool does not account for Social Security benefits, pensions, or other income sources that may be available in retirement.

Related Calculators

Explore these related financial tools to complete your planning

Investment Calculator

Calculate portfolio growth, compound returns, and inflation-adjusted investment projections.

401(k) Calculator

Optimize your 401(k) contributions and employer matching benefits.

FIRE Calculator

Plan your path to Financial Independence, Retire Early with savings rate optimization.

View All Calculators

Complete Guide

Disclaimer: This page includes AI-assisted educational content reviewed for general accuracy. It is not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify numbers with a qualified professional and our editorial standards.

Find out how much you need to retire and whether your plan is on track. Project your nest egg, estimate 4% rule income, and see gaps to close — instant results, free.

How Much Do You Need to Retire?

25× rule: $80,000/year spending ≈ $2,000,000 invested at a 4% withdrawal rate. Subtract Social Security and pensions first. Full guide: How much do you need to retire?.

The Power of Starting Early (Real Numbers)

$500/month from 25–65 at ~7% can exceed $1.2M; starting at 35 may land near ~$600k. Behind? Raise contributions yearly or delay retirement two years — often beats chasing higher returns.

401(k), IRA, and Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Take the full employer match first. Then Roth vs traditional based on tax brackets — see 401(k) vs IRA and the 401(k) calculator. Use catch-ups after 50.

Inflation, Sequence Risk, and Realistic Assumptions

Model ~7% nominal / ~4% after inflation. Keep 1–3 years of expenses safer near retirement. Re-run yearly and stress-test with the investment calculator.

Key Takeaways

  • Target ~25× annual retirement spending from investments.
  • Start early — time beats timing.
  • Maximize employer match first.
  • Plan for inflation and sequence-of-returns risk.

Related Calculators & Guides

401(k) CalculatorRetirement Savings GuideSocial Security Guide