FinanceUpdated May 2026

Retirement Calculator

Check if youre on track for retirement. Project your 401k, IRA, and Social Security with personalized assumptions.

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Updated 2026

How much do I need to retire?

Retirement planning starts with one number: how much annual income you will need, then works backward to the nest egg that produces it. A common rule of thumb is the 4% rule — you can usually withdraw 4% of a diversified portfolio each year without running out — which implies you need about 25× your annual spending saved. If you are in your 30s, time and compound growth are your biggest assets, so small consistent contributions now matter far more than later catch-up savings.

Quick Rule of Thumb & Example

Rule: The 4% rule estimates safe initial annual withdrawal ≈ 4% of your nest egg. Required nest egg = annual retirement spending × 25.

Example: Want $40,000/year → Nest egg ≈ $40,000 × 25 = $1,000,000. To reach $1,000,000 in 30 years, monthly savings (approx) depends on return; use the calculator for exact projection.

Retirement Calculator

Use this free retirement calculator to project your retirement savings and check if you are on track.
Your Information
Enter your retirement details

Plan Your Retirement

Enter your information to see if you're on track for a comfortable retirement

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How Retirement Planning Works

1

Income Replacement

Financial experts recommend 70-80% of pre-retirement income for a comfortable lifestyle.

2

The 4% Rule

Multiply your desired annual income by 25 to estimate your total retirement need.

3

Inflation Impact

Inflation erodes purchasing power, so your retirement income needs grow over time.

Key retirement planning tips:

  • Start early: Even small contributions in your 20s can grow to significant amounts by retirement
  • Maximize employer match: Always contribute at least enough to get your full 401(k) employer match
  • Diversify: Use a mix of 401(k), IRA, and taxable accounts for tax flexibility in retirement
  • Review annually: Update your plan as your income, goals, and market conditions change
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How our retirement calculator works

1

Enter current age and target retirement age

Type your current age and the age you plan to retire. The longer the runway, the more compounding helps.

2

Set current savings and contribution

Type your current 401(k), IRA, and other retirement balances, plus how much you save each month. Include any employer match.

3

Estimate expected return and income needs

Set an average annual return (5-8% is typical for diversified portfolios) and your target annual income in retirement. The calculator projects whether youre on track.

Key things to know about our retirement calculator:

  • The 4% rule: You can withdraw 4% of your nest egg in year one, then adjust for inflation, with a 95% chance of not running out over 30 years.
  • Save 10-15% of income: Most financial advisors recommend this for retirement, including any employer match.
  • Social Security: Typically replaces 30-40% of pre-retirement income for the median earner; the rest comes from your savings.

For related calculations, try our investment calculator.

Verified accuracy

Cross-checked against authoritative formulas (IRS, NIST, ACM) and updated for 2025/2026 tax years and rates.

Instant results

No server roundtrip. All math runs in your browser so results appear the moment you finish typing.

Your data stays private

We never collect, store, or transmit your inputs. Every calculation runs locally in your browser.

Learn as you calculate

Each calculator includes the formula, plain-English explanation, and FAQs so you understand the result.

Estimates only. Calculator results are for educational and planning purposes — not professional advice. For binding decisions on taxes, investments, health, or legal matters, consult a qualified professional.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about this calculator. Can't find what you're looking for? Email our team.

The 4% rule says you need 25x your annual expenses saved to retire. If you spend $40,000 per year, you need $1,000,000. Our retirement calculator uses this rule plus your expected Social Security, pension, and other income. The retirement calculator shows whether you are on track and how much to save monthly to close any gap.

How it works

How to estimate your retirement savings needs

Our retirement calculator lets you project how much you will have at retirement and whether it covers your expected expenses in five steps.

  1. 1

    Enter your current age and retirement age

    Type how old you are now and the age you plan to retire. The time between them is your investment horizon.

  2. 2

    Enter current savings and contributions

    Type how much you have already saved and how much you contribute each year across all retirement accounts.

  3. 3

    Enter expected return and inflation

    Type the annual return you expect from your investments, and the inflation rate. A common assumption is 7% return and 3% inflation.

  4. 4

    Enter your expected retirement expenses

    Type the annual income you want in retirement, in today's dollars. The calculator inflates this to your retirement year.

  5. 5

    Compare projections to your goal

    The result shows your projected balance at retirement, the income it can sustainably produce, and whether you are on track.

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