MoneyLens

Planning

Retirement calculator

Enter your age, savings and goals to see whether you are on track to retire with the income you want.

$
= $50,000
$
= $1,000
%
Nominal return (before inflation). Broad US stock indexes have historically returned roughly 10% nominal / 7% after inflation — not guaranteed. A balanced portfolio usually earns less.
%
$
In today's dollars, before tax.= $60,000
%
The 4% rule is a common starting point.
Projected balance at retirement$1,550,065
In today's dollars$738,982
Nest egg needed$3,146,351
Shortfall$1,596,286
StatusBehind target (49% of target)
Income your balance supports (today's $)$29,559
Assumptions

Assumes a constant return, fixed monthly contributions and no taxes. Social Security and pensions are not included, which may reduce the nest egg you need.

Projected balance vs target

    Retirement Calculator results
    AgeContributedBalanceBalance (today's $)
    36$62,000$65,880$64,273
    37$74,000$82,872$78,879
    38$86,000$101,054$93,838
    39$98,000$120,508$109,174
    40$110,000$141,323$124,909
    41$122,000$163,596$141,069
    42$134,000$187,428$157,677
    43$146,000$212,929$174,761
    44$158,000$240,214$192,346
    45$170,000$269,409$210,462
    46$182,000$300,648$229,137
    47$194,000$334,074$248,403
    48$206,000$369,839$268,289
    49$218,000$408,108$288,829
    50$230,000$449,056$310,058
    51$242,000$492,871$332,010
    52$254,000$539,752$354,722
    53$266,000$589,915$378,233
    54$278,000$643,589$402,583
    55$290,000$701,021$427,813
    56$302,000$762,472$453,966
    57$314,000$828,226$481,087
    58$326,000$898,582$509,224
    59$338,000$973,863$538,425
    60$350,000$1,054,414$568,741
    61$362,000$1,140,603$600,225
    62$374,000$1,232,825$632,932
    63$386,000$1,331,503$666,920
    64$398,000$1,437,089$702,250
    65$410,000$1,550,065$738,982

    How this projection works

    Your savings grow at the expected return each month and your contribution is added at month end until retirement. Because prices rise, the income you want is inflated to your retirement date, then divided by the withdrawal rate to find the nest egg needed: target = income × (1 + inflation)^years / withdrawal rate.

    Methodology

    The return you enter is an effective annual rate, converted to a monthly rate with r = (1 + annual)^(1/12) − 1. Contributions are held flat in nominal dollars for the whole period, while the income target is inflated each year, so a fixed contribution buys less saving power over time. In practice most people raise contributions as pay rises, which this calculator does not model.

    Nominal versus today's dollars

    A million dollars in thirty years buys much less than a million today. We therefore show the balance twice: the nominal figure, and the same amount discounted by inflation so you can judge real purchasing power.

    Closing a gap

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the 4% rule?

    It suggests you can withdraw about 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation, with a good chance the money lasts around 30 years. Longer retirements may call for a lower rate.

    Should I include Social Security?

    This calculator does not. If you expect Social Security or a pension, subtract that income from your desired income to see how much your own savings must cover.

    What return and inflation should I use?

    Many planners use roughly 5-7% nominal return for a diversified portfolio and 2-3% inflation. Broad US stock indexes have historically returned about 10% nominal, or 7% after inflation, but that is not guaranteed. Try a pessimistic case as well to stress-test your plan.

    This calculator is for education and illustration. It does not account for taxes, fees or your personal situation unless stated, and is not financial advice.

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