Retirement planning comes down to a simple question: will your savings be enough? This calculator projects your nest egg from where you are today and estimates the yearly income it could support.
How the projection works
We grow your current savings and each monthly contribution at your expected return, compounding monthly until your target retirement age. The result is your projected balance — the pot you'll draw on in retirement.
Turning savings into income
A nest egg only matters for the income it produces. The 4% rule estimates a sustainable first-year withdrawal of 4% of the balance, so a $1,000,000 portfolio might provide about $40,000 in year one, rising with inflation thereafter.
Why starting early wins
Compounding rewards time above all. Money invested in your 20s has decades to multiply, so early contributions often outweigh much larger ones made later. If you're starting late, higher contributions and a few extra working years can close the gap.
The levers you control
You can't control markets, but you can control your savings rate, your account choices, and your costs. Capturing an employer match, using tax-advantaged accounts and keeping fees low are the highest-impact moves available to most savers.
Frequently asked questions
A common rule of thumb is 25× your expected annual spending (the inverse of the 4% rule). If you'll need $40,000/year from savings, you'd target roughly $1,000,000. This calculator shows what you're on track to reach.
It suggests withdrawing about 4% of your portfolio in your first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation. Historically this gave a high chance of the money lasting around 30 years — but it's a guideline, not a guarantee.
A diversified portfolio has historically returned roughly 6–7% per year after inflation over the long term, though any given period can differ widely. Using a conservative figure builds in a safety margin.
The balance shown is in nominal terms. To think in today's money, use a lower 'real' return (your expected return minus inflation) or check our inflation calculator.