Retirement Savings Calculator
Estimate your retirement nest egg based on your current age, savings, and monthly contributions. See projected retirement income using the 4% safe withdrawal rule.
Retirement Nest Egg
$2,376,362
at age 65
Monthly Income (4% Rule)
$7,921
$95,054/year
Total Contributed
$470,000
Interest Earned
$1,906,362
80.2% of nest egg
Retirement Savings Growth
Savings Milestones
$100,000
Age 33
$250,000
Age 40
$500,000
Age 46
$1,000,000
Age 54
$2,000,000
Age 63
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Age | Contributions | Interest | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | $12,000 | $4,007 | $66,007 |
| 32 | $12,000 | $5,164 | $83,171 |
| 33 | $12,000 | $6,405 | $101,576 |
| 34 | $12,000 | $7,736 | $121,312 |
| 35 | $12,000 | $9,162 | $142,474 |
| 36 | $12,000 | $10,692 | $165,166 |
| 37 | $12,000 | $12,332 | $189,499 |
| 38 | $12,000 | $14,091 | $215,590 |
| 39 | $12,000 | $15,978 | $243,568 |
| 40 | $12,000 | $18,000 | $273,568 |
| 41 | $12,000 | $20,169 | $305,737 |
| 42 | $12,000 | $22,494 | $340,231 |
| 43 | $12,000 | $24,988 | $377,219 |
| 44 | $12,000 | $27,662 | $416,881 |
| 45 | $12,000 | $30,529 | $459,410 |
| 46 | $12,000 | $33,603 | $505,013 |
| 47 | $12,000 | $36,900 | $553,913 |
| 48 | $12,000 | $40,435 | $606,348 |
| 49 | $12,000 | $44,226 | $662,574 |
| 50 | $12,000 | $48,290 | $722,864 |
| 51 | $12,000 | $52,648 | $787,512 |
| 52 | $12,000 | $57,322 | $856,834 |
| 53 | $12,000 | $62,333 | $931,167 |
| 54 | $12,000 | $67,707 | $1,010,874 |
| 55 | $12,000 | $73,469 | $1,096,343 |
| 56 | $12,000 | $79,647 | $1,187,990 |
| 57 | $12,000 | $86,272 | $1,286,262 |
| 58 | $12,000 | $93,377 | $1,391,639 |
| 59 | $12,000 | $100,994 | $1,504,633 |
| 60 | $12,000 | $109,163 | $1,625,796 |
| 61 | $12,000 | $117,922 | $1,755,717 |
| 62 | $12,000 | $127,314 | $1,895,031 |
| 63 | $12,000 | $137,385 | $2,044,415 |
| 64 | $12,000 | $148,184 | $2,204,599 |
| 65 | $12,000 | $159,763 | $2,376,362 |
Planning for Retirement
Retirement planning is fundamentally about answering one question: will I have enough money to maintain my lifestyle when I stop working? The earlier you start planning and saving, the easier it becomes — thanks to the exponential power of compound interest working over decades.
The biggest advantage younger investors have is time. Starting at age 25 instead of 35 with the same monthly contribution can result in nearly double the retirement nest egg, even though you only contributed 10 extra years of savings. Those early contributions have 40 years to compound and multiply.
The 4% Safe Withdrawal Rule Explained
The 4% rule comes from the “Trinity Study,” which analyzed historical market data to determine a sustainable withdrawal rate. It found that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one (then adjusting for inflation annually) had a very high success rate of lasting 30+ years across various market conditions.
This means your target nest egg should be approximately 25 times your desired annual retirement income. Need $80,000/year? Target $2,000,000 in retirement savings. This calculator helps you see whether your current trajectory will get you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4% rule for retirement?
The 4% rule suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement savings in the first year, then adjust for inflation each subsequent year, and your money should last at least 30 years. For a $1,000,000 nest egg, that means $40,000/year ($3,333/month) in the first year of retirement.
How much do I need to retire comfortably?
A common guideline is 25x your annual expenses (the inverse of the 4% rule). If you need $60,000/year in retirement, aim for $1,500,000. However, this depends on your lifestyle, healthcare costs, Social Security benefits, and how conservative you want to be.
What rate of return should I assume for retirement planning?
A commonly used rate is 7% for a stock-heavy portfolio (which accounts for historical stock market returns minus inflation). More conservative investors might use 5-6%. The key is to be realistic — overly optimistic assumptions can leave you short in retirement.
How much should I contribute to retirement each month?
Financial advisors commonly recommend saving 15-20% of your gross income for retirement. If you started late, you may need to save more. The calculator above helps you see if your current contribution rate will meet your goals, and adjust accordingly.