Retirement Savings Calculator
Project your retirement savings from current balance, monthly contributions and expected return.
Retirement projections can feel abstract until you actually see the number. Enter your current savings, monthly contribution, years until retirement, and an expected return to get a concrete projected balance.
Choosing a realistic return assumption
Historically, diversified stock market index funds have averaged roughly 7-10% annually before inflation over long periods, though any single decade can vary widely. Many planners use 6-7% as a conservative long-term planning assumption to avoid overestimating. Try the calculator at a few different rates to see how sensitive your outcome is to this assumption.
The contribution rate matters as much as the return
Doubling your monthly contribution has a guaranteed, immediate effect on your final balance — unlike chasing a higher return, which carries more risk and uncertainty. If your projected number falls short of your goal, increasing contributions is usually the more reliable lever to pull.
Frequently asked questions
Does this account for employer matching?
Not directly — if your employer matches contributions, add that matched amount into your "monthly contribution" figure to get an accurate combined projection, or use our dedicated 401k Calculator which handles employer match separately.
Does this account for inflation?
No — this shows nominal future dollars. A $2 million balance in 30 years won't have the same purchasing power as $2 million today; for a rough inflation-adjusted comparison, our Inflation Calculator can show how much future buying power a given amount represents.