RETIREMENT PLANNING TOOL
Retirement Calculator
Estimate whether your current savings plan may support your retirement goals.
Your retirement estimate
Based on the assumptions entered
Near Target Based on Current Assumptions
Based on these assumptions, your projected savings cover approximately 98.1% of the estimated retirement fund. The remaining modeled gap is approximately $27,006.86.
Compare your current monthly contribution with the modeled amount above.
Results are hypothetical estimates based on the assumptions entered. Actual returns, inflation, taxes, fees, retirement spending, and longevity may differ materially.
Retirement Projection
Projected balance, total contributions, and cumulative withdrawals by age.
Projected balanceTotal contributionsCumulative withdrawals
Detailed Estimate
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your current age, planned retirement age, and current savings.
- Add your monthly contribution and expected investment returns.
- Enter your inflation assumption and desired retirement income in today’s money.
- Add any expected pension, Social Security, or other retirement income.
- Choose the expected retirement duration.
- Select Calculate to review the estimate.
Year-by-Year Retirement Projection
A compact view of key ages and five-year intervals.
| Age | Phase | Starting Balance | Annual Contributions or Withdrawals | Investment Growth | Ending Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Current age | Accumulation | $100,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $100,000.00 |
| 45 | Accumulation | $187,414.62 | $12,000.00 | $13,940.80 | $213,355.43 |
| 50 | Accumulation | $337,276.61 | $12,000.00 | $24,774.34 | $374,050.95 |
| 55 | Accumulation | $549,724.74 | $12,000.00 | $40,132.23 | $601,856.97 |
| 60 | Accumulation | $850,896.58 | $12,000.00 | $61,903.97 | $924,800.54 |
| 64 | Accumulation | $1,180,140.36 | $12,000.00 | $85,705.03 | $1,277,845.38 |
| 65 | Accumulation | $1,277,845.38 | $12,000.00 | $92,768.13 | $1,382,613.51 |
| 66 | Retirement | $1,382,613.51 | −$88,989.32 | $54,377.94 | $1,348,002.14 |
| 70 | Retirement | $1,235,475.15 | −$88,989.32 | $48,383.30 | $1,194,869.13 |
| 75 | Retirement | $1,015,213.69 | −$88,989.32 | $39,409.51 | $965,633.88 |
| 80 | Retirement | $746,275.20 | −$88,989.32 | $28,452.54 | $685,738.42 |
| 85 | Retirement | $417,902.22 | −$88,989.32 | $15,074.12 | $343,987.02 |
| 90 First depleted year | Retirement | $16,959.93 | −$16,998.94 | $39.01 | $0.00 |
Retirement Planning Basics
How This Retirement Calculator Works
The accumulation phase projects current savings and monthly contributions with compound growth. At retirement, the income goal is adjusted for inflation and reduced by other entered income. The retirement phase estimates the fund required for beginning-of-month withdrawals, then compares it with projected savings to show a funding ratio and potential surplus or shortfall.
Why Inflation Matters
Future retirement spending may cost more than the same spending today. This calculator converts today’s desired income into estimated future dollars. Even moderate inflation can materially affect long-term retirement needs.
Investment Returns Before and During Retirement
The expected return before retirement may differ from the return during retirement. A lower retirement return may reflect a more conservative portfolio assumption. Actual returns vary and may occur in an unfavorable sequence.
Sequence-of-Returns Risk
Poor returns early in retirement can have a larger effect while withdrawals are occurring. This calculator uses a constant return assumption and does not simulate volatility or the order of returns. Actual outcomes may differ materially.
Longevity Risk
Living longer than the selected retirement duration may require additional savings. This calculator does not predict lifespan. Test longer retirement periods to understand the effect.
Taxes, Fees, and Account Rules
Taxes and investment fees are not included. Pension, Social Security, tax, and retirement-account rules vary by country and person. Results may differ from account statements and government benefit calculations.
Calculation Assumptions and Limitations
- Results are hypothetical estimates based on user inputs; returns and inflation are assumed constant.
- Monthly contributions are assumed consistent, and retirement withdrawals occur at the beginning of each month.
- Market volatility and sequence-of-returns risk are not modeled.
- Taxes, investment fees, healthcare, long-term care, and emergency costs are not separately modeled.
- Currency conversion and exchange-rate changes are not included.
- Pension and Social Security amounts are user-entered and not verified.
- Retirement spending may change, and actual longevity may exceed the selected duration.
- Results may differ materially from actual outcomes.
- This calculator is for general educational purposes only and does not provide personalized investment, financial, retirement, tax, accounting, insurance, or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money may I need to retire?
It depends on retirement spending, other income, duration, inflation, and investment returns. Test several conservative assumptions rather than relying on one estimate.
How does inflation affect retirement planning?
Inflation reduces purchasing power. This calculator increases today’s income goal by the inflation rate through your planned retirement age.
What return should I assume before retirement?
Use a cautious long-term assumption appropriate to your mix of investments. Actual annual returns will vary.
What return should I assume during retirement?
Many people model a lower return during retirement to reflect a more conservative portfolio, but the appropriate assumption varies.
What is a retirement funding ratio?
It compares projected savings at retirement with the modeled fund required. A ratio of 100% means the two estimates are equal.
What does an estimated retirement shortfall mean?
It is the difference when projected savings are below the modeled retirement fund requirement under the entered assumptions.
How is the required retirement fund calculated?
It is the present value at retirement of inflation-adjusted monthly withdrawals, modeled at the beginning of each month.
Does this calculator include Social Security or pensions?
Only if you enter them as other expected monthly retirement income. The amounts are not verified.
Does this calculator include taxes?
No. Taxes vary by account, country, income, and individual circumstances.
Does this calculator include investment fees?
No. Fees can reduce both accumulation and retirement balances.
What happens if my retirement savings reach zero?
The projection holds the remaining balance at zero and marks the first depleted year.
What is sequence-of-returns risk?
Poor returns early in retirement can have a larger effect while withdrawals are occurring. This calculator does not model that sequence.
How long should I assume retirement will last?
Test multiple durations, including a longer period than you initially expect, because lifespan cannot be predicted.
Is the estimated monthly withdrawal guaranteed?
No. It is a hypothetical level withdrawal based on constant-return and duration assumptions.
Can this calculator predict whether I will retire successfully?
No. It is an educational estimate and cannot predict market returns, spending, health costs, taxes, or longevity.
Related Investing Guides
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire?
GSV educational guide — link coming soon.
How Inflation Affects Retirement Savings
GSV educational guide — link coming soon.
Understanding Retirement Withdrawal Strategies
GSV educational guide — link coming soon.