Retirement Savings Calculator
Enter your age, savings, monthly contribution and expected return to see what you will have, or flip it to find how much to save.
Free, no sign-upRuns in your browserHow we calculate
Before inflation.
Share of the balance you take out each year.
- You put in
- $410,000
- Investment growth
- $1,215,796
- Yearly income (today's dollars)
- $31,003
- Yearly income (future dollars)
- $65,032
| Saved per month | Balance at retirement |
|---|---|
| $250 | $710,818 |
| $500 | $1,015,810 |
| $1,000 | $1,625,796 |
| $1,500 | $2,235,781 |
| $2,000 | $2,845,767 |
How this was calculated
- Years to retirement = 65 − 35 = 30, so 360 monthly contributions at 0.583% per month.
- Balance at 65 = $1,625,796 (savings of $50,000 plus $1,000 a month, growing at 7% a year).
- In today's dollars at 2.5% inflation: $1,625,796 ÷ 2.0976 = $775,086.
- Income at a 4% withdrawal rate: $775,086 × 4% = $31,003 a year in today's dollars.
Projections assume a steady return and are not guaranteed. Educational estimate, not financial advice.
How much will my retirement savings be worth?
This retirement savings calculator grows what you have saved plus what you add every month until your retirement age. The balance is savings × (1 + i)^N plus the monthly amount × ((1 + i)^N − 1) ÷ i, where i is the monthly return (the yearly rate ÷ 12) and N the number of months. Saving $500 a month for 30 years at a 6% yearly return gives about $502,258, of which only $180,000 is money you put in.
Why today's dollars matter
A million dollars in 30 years buys much less than a million dollars today. The calculator therefore shows the balance twice: in future dollars and in today's purchasing power, discounted by your inflation assumption. At 2.5% inflation, $1,000,000 in 30 years is worth about $476,700 today. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the Consumer Price Index that inflation is measured against; long-run averages are a guide, not a promise.
The withdrawal rate and the 4% rule
To turn a balance into income, the tool multiplies it by a withdrawal rate. The default of 4% comes from the 4% rule, a rule of thumb based on William Bengen's 1994 study of historical US returns: withdraw 4% in the first year, adjust for inflation after, and a balanced portfolio lasted at least 30 years in the periods studied. It is not a guarantee, and a longer retirement or a bad early market may call for 3–3.5%. Social Security, published by the SSA, comes on top of this income and is not included here.
Find how much to save instead
Switch to “Find how much to save” and enter the yearly income you want in today's dollars. The calculator works out the balance that income needs and the monthly saving that reaches it. Wanting $60,000 a year at a 4% rate takes $1,500,000 in today's dollars. Employer matches and tax-advantaged limits change the real picture: the IRS limit on employee 401(k) deferrals is $24,500 in 2026. To model a match and your salary, use the 401(k) calculator; for the pure growth math with other frequencies, see the compound interest calculator.
Common mistakes
Using an optimistic return is the biggest one: a 10% assumption instead of 6% more than doubles the result over 30 years. Ignoring inflation is the second, and stopping contributions during market drops is the third. Start with a conservative return, then see how much each extra $250 a month adds in the table under the result. Check required withdrawals in your 70s with the RMD calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much will $500 a month be worth in 30 years?
At a 6% yearly return compounded monthly, $500 a month for 30 years grows to about $502,258, of which $180,000 is your own money. At 8% it is about $745,180.
What is the 4% rule?
A rule of thumb from William Bengen's 1994 study: withdraw 4% of your balance in the first year of retirement and adjust for inflation after. Historically that portfolio lasted at least 30 years, but it is not a guarantee.
How much do I need to retire?
At a 4% withdrawal rate you need 25 times your yearly spending. To spend $60,000 a year in today's dollars you need about $1,500,000, before counting Social Security.
Why show the balance in today's dollars?
Prices rise every year, so a future balance buys less. The tool divides it by (1 + inflation)^years; $1,000,000 in 30 years at 2.5% inflation is worth about $476,700 today.
What return should I assume?
Be conservative. Many planners use 5–7% a year before inflation for a stock-and-bond mix. Returns vary every year, so treat the result as an estimate.