Retirement Savings Calculator

This retirement savings calculator helps you project a portfolio balance at retirement, estimate the nest egg needed to support a target retirement income, and approximate how long savings will last under configurable assumptions.

Use the different calculation methods to explore scenarios: projection from current savings and contributions, required nest egg for a target withdrawal rate, and an approximate sustainability check that accounts for inflation and real returns.

Updated Nov 28, 2025

Calculation method

Estimate the portfolio value at retirement from current savings and ongoing contributions assuming a constant nominal return.

Inputs

Current age

Min 18 · Max 100

Desired retirement age

Min 50 · Max 100

Current retirement savings

Min 0

Annual contribution (pre-tax + post-tax combined)

Min 0

Expected annual return before retirement (nominal %)

Min -10 · Max 20

Expected annual return in retirement (nominal %)

Min -5 · Max 15

Expected long-term inflation rate (%)

Min 0 · Max 10

Desired pre-tax annual retirement income

Min 0

Estimated annual Social Security or pension income

Min 0

Other guaranteed annual retirement income

Min 0

Assumed safe withdrawal rate (%)

Min 0 · Max 10

Results

Updates as you type

Projected balance at retirement

—

Years until retirement

Output	Value	Unit
Projected balance at retirement	—	currency
Years until retirement	27	years

Primary result—

Visualization

Points

Methodology

Projection method compounds current savings and future contributions using a constant nominal return and standard future value of a series formula. Contributions are treated as end‑of‑period deposits.

Required nest egg uses a simple withdrawal-rate approach: required nest egg = target annual income / withdrawal rate. This is a heuristic, not a guarantee of outcome.

Sustainability uses an annuity present‑value inversion to estimate years savings will support a constant net withdrawal given an expected real return. For zero or negative real returns the tool falls back to conservative, no‑return approximations.

Expert Q&A

How accurate are these projections?

Projections are approximations based on constant-rate assumptions and discrete compounding. They do not model market volatility, sequence-of-returns risk, taxes, fees, or changing spending patterns. Use results for planning and comparison, not as a precise forecast.

What is the safe withdrawal rate?

The safe withdrawal rate is a planning assumption representing a sustainable percentage of the portfolio to withdraw annually. Common starter assumptions are 3%–5%. It is not a guarantee and should be adjusted for longevity, market conditions, and personal risk tolerance.

Are taxes, fees, and required minimum distributions (RMDs) included?

No. This calculator does not model taxes, investment fees, or regulatory requirements like RMDs. Adjust inputs to approximate after-tax needs or consult a tax advisor for tailored modeling.

What inputs should I vary to test scenarios?

Run sensitivity checks by varying expected returns, inflation, contribution levels, retirement age, and withdrawal rate. Examine both optimistic and conservative assumptions to understand plan robustness.

Sources & citations

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — https://www.nist.gov
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) — https://www.iso.org
IEEE (software reliability and best practices) — https://www.ieee.org
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — https://www.osha.gov
Social Security Administration — https://www.ssa.gov