WorldCalcs

Retirement Calculator

Project your retirement balance from your current savings, monthly contributions and expected return.

Reviewed by the WorldCalcs team · Methodology · Last reviewed: June 2026

Projected balance at retirement

1 130 650.34

Total contributions

230 000.00

Total growth

900 650.34

Estimated annual income (4% rule)

45 226.01

Estimated monthly income

3 768.83

This calculator is for general information only and is not financial advice. Results are estimates. See our full disclaimer.

What is a retirement calculator?

A retirement calculator estimates how large your savings could grow by the time you stop working. You enter your age now, the age you want to retire, what you have saved already, how much you add each month, and the average yearly return you expect. The calculator then projects your balance at retirement and shows how much of that total came from your own contributions versus growth on the money. It is a planning tool for seeing the long-run effect of saving steadily — small monthly amounts compound into large sums over decades.

How it's calculated

The projection uses the future value of a starting balance plus a stream of monthly contributions. With a monthly rate i = annual return ÷ 12 and N = years × 12 months, the balance is FV = P × (1 + i)^N + PMT × ((1 + i)^N − 1) ÷ i, where P is your current savings and PMT is your monthly contribution. Contributions are added at the end of each month. The growth figure is simply the projected balance minus everything you put in. The estimated retirement income uses the well-known 4% rule: a common rule of thumb that you can withdraw about 4% of your balance in the first year.

Example

Suppose you are 30, plan to retire at 65, have 20 000 saved, add 500 each month, and expect a 7% average annual return. Over 35 years (420 months) the projected balance is 1 130 650.34. Of that, 230 000.00 is money you contributed and 900 650.34 is growth. Applying the 4% rule gives an estimated 45 226.01 of annual income, or about 3 768.83 per month. Notice how the balance accelerates over time — it passes 64 148.96 after 5 years, 126 735.63 after 10, and 341 238.11 after 20, because each year's growth builds on a larger base.

The 4% rule, briefly

The 4% rule is a simple guideline for turning a nest egg into yearly income: take 4% of the balance in your first year of retirement, then adjust that amount for inflation in later years. It is a starting estimate, not a guarantee — actual safe withdrawal rates depend on your time horizon, investment mix, fees, and market conditions. Use it to get a feel for the scale of income a balance could support, then refine with a professional.

Related: see our Compound Interest Calculator and Savings Calculator.

All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is sent, stored, or tracked.

Results are estimates and may contain errors — for general information only, not professional advice. Always verify before relying on them. Disclaimer

How to use

Enter your current age, the age you plan to retire, what you have saved already, how much you add each month and the average yearly return you expect. Results update instantly as you type.

The projected balance is what your savings could grow to by retirement. Total contributions is what you put in; total growth is the rest.

The estimated income figure uses the well-known 4% rule as a rough yearly withdrawal guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I save for retirement each month?+

There is no single right number — it depends on your target balance, your age, and your expected return. The practical approach is to try a monthly amount here, look at the projected balance, and adjust up or down until the result matches your goal. Saving earlier matters more than saving more, because early contributions compound the longest.

What return rate should I use?+

Use a realistic long-run average rather than a single good year. Many people model a diversified portfolio with a moderate assumption and then test a lower rate to see the downside. This calculator lets you change the rate, so it is worth running a conservative and an optimistic scenario to see the range.

Does this account for inflation?+

No. The projection is in today's contribution terms and does not reduce the future balance for rising prices. A common way to handle this is to use a lower "real" return (your expected return minus expected inflation), which gives a result closer to today's purchasing power.

What is the 4% rule?+

It is a guideline that you can withdraw about 4% of your retirement balance in the first year, then adjust for inflation afterward. It gives a quick estimate of the yearly income a balance might support, but it is not a promise — your safe rate depends on how long the money must last and how it is invested.

Are taxes included?+

No. The calculator shows the gross projected balance and a gross income estimate. Taxes on withdrawals depend on the type of account and your local rules, so the after-tax amount you actually keep will be lower.

Why does the balance grow faster in later years?+

Because growth compounds. Each year you earn a return on a larger balance — including on previous years' returns — so the same percentage produces a bigger gain every year. This is why starting early has such a large effect.

What if I retire earlier or later?+

Change the retirement age and the projection updates. A later retirement age adds more contributing years and more compounding, which usually raises the balance substantially. An earlier retirement does the opposite and also means the money must last longer.

Is this financial advice?+

No. This is an educational estimate based on the numbers you enter and a simple model. It does not account for your full situation, fees, taxes, or market risk. Treat it as a planning starting point and consult a qualified financial professional before making decisions.

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