Finance tools
Retirement calculator
Use this free retirement calculator to see how much you may need to retire and whether your savings plan is on track. Enter your age, income, total retirement savings, and monthly contributions to compare what you'll have with what you'll need at your target retirement age. You can also estimate monthly retirement income or test how long your money might last at a fixed withdrawal—then chart the path, review a yearly schedule, and export CSV or PDF. No sign-up required. If you are modeling a workplace plan first, try our 401(k) calculator, then enter your combined balance here. For early financial independence (not wildfire evacuation maps), use the FIRE calculator. Illustrative estimates only—not tax or investment advice.
What does this retirement calculator do?
A retirement calculator helps you test whether your savings, contributions, and assumptions could support the spending you want after you stop working. In practice, that usually means comparing projected savings at retirement with a nest-egg target based on spending, other income (such as Social Security), and a withdrawal rate—a common starting point is the 4% rule.
This tool offers three views on the same inputs: Retirement readiness (default) for have vs need and any gap; Retirement income for sustainable monthly cash flow from savings; and How long money lasts when you withdraw a fixed amount each month until your balance runs out or you reach the life expectancy age you set.
It is built for traditional retirement-age planning (for example retiring in your 60s), not for mapping wildfire risk. Early-retirement timelines belong in our FIRE calculator. Pure growth math without a retirement spending story fits better in the compound interest or investment calculator.
For a regulator-published savings goal frame, see Investor.gov — savings goal calculator. Everything on this page is educational—not personalized financial advice.
How much do you need to retire?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Helpful rules of thumb include saving 10–15% of pre-tax income (count employer match if you have it), planning to spend around 70–80% of your pre-retirement income, or aiming for a portfolio worth about 25 times the annual spending your investments must cover (the idea behind a 4% withdrawal rate).
In Retirement readiness mode, we project your balance at the retirement age you choose, then estimate what you'll need from: portfolio target = (annual spending at retirement − other annual income) ÷ (withdrawal rate ÷ 100). At 4%, that is the familiar 25× rule on net spending. Enter spending as a monthly budget or as a percent of projected salary at retirement (the bundled example uses 70%). Enter contributions as a fixed monthly amount or a percent of income that grows with salary.
If you are behind, results may suggest extra monthly savings to close the gap on the same assumptions—or change retirement age, spending, or return rates in Advanced. Saving more earlier matters because of compounding; even a few hundred dollars per month can shift a long runway.
Not sure what you can afford to save? Sketch needs, wants, and savings with the 50/30/20 rule calculator, then enter a realistic contribution percentage here.
| Savings rate (of income) | Typical use in planning |
|---|---|
| ~10% | Starting guideline; may require retiring later or higher other income |
| ~15% | Common target when employer match is included |
| 20%+ | Usually raises what you'll have; pair with spending you can sustain long term |
| Default example (10%) | Bundled preset: age 35, retire 67—see worked example below |
Nest-egg examples at $50,000 annual spending (before other income)
Illustrative portfolio targets if the portfolio must cover full spending (no Social Security or pension entered):
- 4% withdrawal rate — $50,000 ÷ 0.04 = $1,250,000 (25× rule)
- 3.5% withdrawal rate — $50,000 ÷ 0.035 ≈ $1,428,571
- 4.5% withdrawal rate — $50,000 ÷ 0.045 ≈ $1,111,111
The 4% rule and retirement income
The 4% rule is a shorthand for how much you might withdraw from a diversified portfolio each year in retirement. It is not a promise of success in every market or tax situation. Many people treat it as a starting point for a ~30-year retirement; if you retire earlier or want extra cushion, a lower rate (such as 3.5%) is a common stress test.
Many planners use 3.5% for longer retirements or 4.5% only when timelines are shorter and spending can flex in real life. In this calculator, the withdrawal rate sets both the nest-egg target (readiness) and sustainable income (income mode).
Switch to Retirement income mode to translate projected savings into monthly retirement income: (balance × withdrawal rate) ÷ 12 + other monthly income. For “how long will my money last?” with a fixed monthly withdrawal, use How long money lasts mode: each month the tool withdraws your planned amount, applies post-retirement growth, and stops at depletion or life expectancy.
To explore doubling time without withdrawal math, see our Rule of 72 calculator. For generic end-of-period growth, see the future value calculator.
| Portfolio at retirement | Annual income at 4% SWR | Monthly (÷ 12) |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $16,000 | ~$1,333 |
| $600,000 | $24,000 | ~$2,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $40,000 | ~$3,333 |
| $2,500,000 | $100,000 | ~$8,333 |
Have vs need: reading your retirement gap
What you'll have is the projected balance at your chosen retirement age after monthly compounding, contributions ($ or % of income), salary growth, and pre-retirement return assumptions. What you'll need is the nest egg implied by your spending goal, withdrawal rate, and other income.
A shortfall means projected savings fall below the target on these inputs—not that retirement is impossible. You might increase savings, retire later, plan lower spending, or expect higher other income. When a gap appears, the calculator may estimate extra monthly savings required to close it (holding other inputs fixed). A surplus suggests the path may exceed the target—still review taxes, healthcare, and market risk.
The chart plots projected balance over time; in readiness mode a target line shows your nest-egg goal. The yearly table lists contributions, growth, and end-of-year balance during accumulation—useful for spotting whether catch-up years are realistic.
Export CSV or PDF to save a scenario for your records or a conversation with a qualified professional. For a household balance sheet today (not forward projection), try the net worth calculator.
Worked example (default preset — illustrative)
Age 35, retire 67, $75,000 income, $50,000 saved today, 10% contributions, 70% spending need, 6% pre-ret return, 4% withdrawal, no other income:
- What you'll have at 67 — about $1,206,922
- What you'll need — about $2,473,460
- Gap — about $1,266,538; illustrative ~$1,125/month extra savings might close it on the same assumptions
Select a preset or keep the default inputs in the calculator above to reproduce this scenario. Your results will differ once you enter your own numbers.
How to use this retirement calculator
Choose a mode
Start with Retirement readiness for have vs need at your target age. Switch to Retirement income if you want monthly cash flow from savings at a withdrawal rate. Use How long money lasts when you already know how much you plan to withdraw each month and want a depletion timeline.
Enter savings and income
Add current age, planned retirement age, and annual pre-tax income. Enter total retirement savings across 401(k), IRA, and other accounts—not just one statement. Set contributions as a dollar amount or percent of income, and set spending as a monthly budget or percent of income at retirement. Try a preset chip for a quick scenario.
Add other income
Enter estimated monthly Social Security, pension, or other retirement income in one field. We do not calculate benefits for you—check your SSA statement or the SSA retirement planner (see FAQ), then type a conservative monthly amount. Leave this at zero if you want to see the portfolio target without other income.
Review gap and export
Compare what you'll have to what you'll need, read any shortfall or surplus, and note suggested extra monthly savings if shown. Open Advanced to change returns, inflation, salary growth, life expectancy, or withdrawal rate. Export CSV or PDF after you are satisfied with the scenario.
Retirement calculator vs FIRE vs 401(k)
Pick the tool that matches the question—you can chain them without double-counting balances.
Retirement calculator (this page)
Total savings across accounts, spending need at a retirement age, other income, have vs need, income and longevity modes.
Best for: “Am I on track to retire at 67?” and “How much might I spend each month?”
401(k) / 403(b) / 457(b)
Paycheck deferrals, employer match, and IRS limits for one workplace plan type.
Best for: contribution and match detail—then add the ending balance to total retirement savings here.
Start with the 401(k) calculator.
FIRE calculator
Years to FI, savings rate, FI number, Coast FIRE—framed for early retirement.
Best for: leaving work before typical retirement age—not the same as nest-egg readiness at 65–67.
See the FIRE calculator.
Roth IRA, investment, and future value tools handle account or formula detail without a full retirement spending story. Budget first with the 50/30/20 rule calculator or CFPB budgeting tools, then enter savings here.
Limitations
This tool uses a single average return path—no Monte Carlo simulations, sequence-of-returns stress tests, or investment-style sliders. Bad markets early in retirement can hurt real outcomes more than a smooth average suggests; lower return assumptions in Advanced are a simple stress test, not a probability forecast.
It does not model federal or state taxes on withdrawals, Roth vs traditional buckets, required minimum distributions (RMDs), Medicare premiums, long-term care, or spousal/survivor Social Security rules. Healthcare and housing moves can dominate real budgets—your monthly spending input should reflect what you expect to spend, not just a percent-of-income rule.
Inflation and salary growth adjust projections but cannot capture every life event (divorce, caregiving, relocation). Gap-solving for extra monthly savings assumes you can sustain that contribution until retirement. Social Security and pensions are manual monthly inputs only—verify amounts on official statements.
Use results for education and scenario planning. For major decisions, reconcile with account statements and speak with a qualified tax or financial professional.
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Frequently asked questions about this retirement calculator
How much money do I need to retire?
A simple starting point: divide the annual spending your portfolio must cover by your withdrawal rate as a decimal. At 4% (0.04), that is about 25× that spending—e.g. $50,000/year → roughly $1.25 million before Social Security, pensions, or other income.
Enter your age, savings, contributions, and spending in Retirement readiness mode above to see what you'll need next to what you'll have at your target retirement age.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule suggests you might withdraw about 4% of your portfolio in year one of retirement, then adjust for inflation in many classic examples. It is a planning shortcut—not a guarantee for every market or retirement length.
In this tool, your withdrawal rate sets the nest-egg target in readiness mode and monthly income in income mode. Try 3.5% or 4.5% in Advanced to see how sensitive your number is.
How much should I save each month for retirement?
A frequent guideline is 10–15% of pre-tax income, including employer match when you have one. Saving more usually increases what you'll have and can shrink a projected shortfall, all else equal.
If you still show a gap, note any suggested extra monthly savings, or try a later retirement age, lower spending, or updated return assumptions in Advanced.
How is this different from a 401(k) calculator?
The 401(k) calculator focuses on one workplace plan: paycheck deferrals, employer match, and IRS contribution limits.
This retirement calculator uses your total balance across 401(k), IRA, and other accounts, plus a household spending goal, to answer whether you are on track at a chosen retirement age.
How is this different from a FIRE calculator?
The FIRE calculator is built for early retirement: years to financial independence, savings rate, FI number, and Coast FIRE-style targets.
This page is for typical retirement-age planning—have vs need at 65–67 (or your chosen age), plus retirement income and how long money lasts. Use FIRE if leaving work decades early is the goal.
Should I include Social Security?
Yes—enter a conservative monthly benefit estimate in Other retirement income. Benefits reduce how much your portfolio must cover and lower what you'll need.
We do not calculate benefits automatically. Use the SSA retirement planner or your statement, then type a number here.
What return rate should I use?
Defaults (6% pre-retirement, 5% post-retirement) are conservative illustrations for long-term planning—not predictions.
Lower returns widen any savings gap. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Stress-test with Advanced assumptions before treating results as a plan.
How do I calculate monthly retirement income?
Select Retirement income mode. The tool applies your withdrawal rate to projected savings at retirement, divides by 12 for portfolio withdrawals, and adds Other retirement income (such as Social Security).
That is the same idea as a standalone retirement income calculator, but on this page it shares your savings and assumption inputs with readiness and longevity modes.
How long will my retirement savings last?
Open How long money lasts mode and enter the monthly amount you plan to withdraw, plus your post-retirement return assumption and life expectancy.
The calculator steps month by month until the balance may hit zero or you reach the age you set—helpful when you already know your spending target and want a timeline, not a nest-egg goal.
How long will $500,000 last in retirement?
At a 4% withdrawal rate, $500,000 might support about $20,000 per year (~$1,667/month) from the portfolio before taxes—less if you withdraw more or markets underperform the assumption.
Enter $500,000 as total savings, set retirement age and spending, add Social Security in other income, or use longevity mode with your planned monthly withdrawal to test depletion timing.
Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in my 401(k)?
It depends on spending, other income, taxes, healthcare, and how long you need the money to last—not the balance alone.
Set retirement age to 62, enter $400,000 plus any other accounts in total savings, and compare have vs need—or test a monthly withdrawal in longevity mode.
How much do I need for $100,000 a year in retirement?
If your portfolio must fund the full $100,000 and you use a 4% withdrawal rate, the math is about $2.5 million ($100,000 ÷ 0.04) before other income. Retiring at 55 instead of 65 usually means more years of withdrawals and often a lower safe rate—run your age, spending, and savings in the calculator rather than relying on the rule alone.
Enter Social Security or pension in Other retirement income to reduce the portfolio portion you need to fund.
Does inflation affect my retirement number?
Yes. Higher future spending needs a larger nest egg; salary growth and contribution percentages can raise what you save over time. This calculator projects in nominal dollars using the growth rates you enter.
Advanced includes an inflation rate for optional real-dollar context on balances. To compare purchasing power separately, try our inflation calculator.
Is $600,000 enough to retire?
At 4%, $600,000 might support about $24,000/year from the portfolio before taxes—plus any Social Security or pension you enter. Whether that is enough depends on your budget; use the spending inputs above to test your situation.
Is this retirement calculator free?
Yes. This free retirement calculator runs in your browser with no sign-up. You can export CSV or PDF summaries of your scenario for your own records.
Who has the most accurate retirement calculator?
Accuracy depends on your inputs and what the tool models—taxes, fees, benefit estimates, and one-path vs many scenarios. No single site wins for every household.
This calculator shows its have-vs-need math and lets you export inputs and results. Compare against your statements, then talk with a qualified professional before large changes.
Does this calculator use Monte Carlo?
No. It uses one average return path so the chart and gap math stay easy to follow. If you want probability-style outcomes, look for tools that run many market scenarios—or discuss range estimates with an advisor.
Is this financial advice?
No. Results are illustrative estimates for learning and scenario planning—not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment, and not tax or legal advice.
U.S. savers can also review general guidance from Investor.gov — save for retirement.
Social Security, pensions, and other income
Most U.S. retirees combine portfolio withdrawals with Social Security, a pension, or part-time work. This calculator does not estimate benefits automatically—you enter a conservative monthly amount in Other retirement income so the nest-egg target only covers spending your portfolio must fund.
Use your latest Social Security statement or the SSA retirement planner for benefit estimates, then type a number here. Claiming at 62 vs full retirement age (often 66–67) changes benefits; model scenarios by changing the monthly figure, retirement age, or both. If you are married, you may receive spousal or survivor benefits—this tool does not model those rules; use a conservative household estimate.
Pensions and annuities also belong in Other retirement income as a flat monthly amount. Part-time wages in retirement are optional: enter what you expect after you stop full-time work, or leave zero and fund spending from the portfolio only.
Employer plans have annual contribution limits—see IRS 401(k) contribution limits when setting how much you save each year. For paycheck-level deferrals and match, use the 401(k) calculator first.