Free Retirement Calculator
Plan your retirement with projected savings growth, monthly income estimates, and whether you're on track. Visual chart shows your path to retirement. Updated for 2026.
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Projected at Retirement
$1,475,835
in 35 years (age 65)
Monthly Income (4% Rule)
$4,919/mo
✅ On track! You'll generate $4,919/mo
Savings Growth to Retirement
Formula
FV = PV × (1+r)^n + PMT × [(1+r)^n − 1] / r | Monthly Income = Balance × 4% / 12 (safe withdrawal rate)How This Retirement Calculator Works
This calculator projects your retirement savings based on your current age, savings, monthly contributions, and expected returns. It then estimates the monthly income your portfolio can generate using the widely-used 4% safe withdrawal rate, and tells you whether you're on track to meet your desired retirement income.
The Power of Starting Early
- Start at 25, save $500/month at 7%: ~$1.2 million by age 65
- Start at 35, save $500/month at 7%: ~$567,000 by age 65
- Start at 45, save $500/month at 7%: ~$246,000 by age 65
The person who starts at 25 invests $240,000 total but ends with over $1.2 million. Starting 10 years later cuts the result by more than half.
What to Adjust If You're Behind
- Increase contributions — even $100/month extra adds up dramatically over decades
- Delay retirement — each extra year adds savings time and reduces withdrawal years
- Reduce retirement spending — a lower target means you need less saved
- Optimize investment returns — lower fees and better diversification improve outcomes
Key Retirement Accounts
- 401(k): Employer-sponsored, $23,500 annual limit (2026), often with employer match
- Roth IRA: After-tax contributions, tax-free withdrawals, $7,000 annual limit (2026)
- Traditional IRA: Tax-deductible contributions, taxed on withdrawal, $7,000 annual limit
- HSA: Triple tax advantage if used for medical expenses, $4,300 individual limit (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to retire?
A common guideline is the 25x rule: save 25 times your annual expenses. If you want $4,000/month ($48,000/year), aim for $1.2 million. This supports the 4% withdrawal rule — withdrawing 4% annually from your portfolio, which historically has lasted 30+ years.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule suggests you can withdraw 4% of your retirement savings in year one, then adjust for inflation each year, and your money should last at least 30 years. For a $1 million portfolio, that's $40,000/year or about $3,333/month. Some experts now suggest 3.5% is safer.
How much should I save for retirement each month?
Financial advisors generally recommend saving 15-20% of your gross income for retirement (including employer matches). If you start at 25, saving 15% is usually enough. Starting at 35 may require 20-25%. Starting at 45 might need 30%+ to catch up.
What rate of return should I expect?
The S&P 500 has historically returned about 10% annually before inflation (7% after inflation). A balanced portfolio might return 6-8%. Use 7% as a reasonable long-term estimate. Be more conservative (4-5%) if you're close to retirement.
Should I prioritize 401(k) or IRA?
First, contribute enough to your 401(k) to get the full employer match — that's free money. Then max out a Roth IRA ($7,000/year in 2026) for tax-free growth. After that, go back to maxing your 401(k) ($23,500/year in 2026).