EstimatorRetirement Calculator
Project your retirement savings year by year — current savings, monthly contributions, employer match and growth — then check the total against your goal.
Year-by-year projection
| Age | Balance | You contributed | Employer match | Growth |
|---|
How it works
The projection compounds monthly: each month your balance grows by the annual return ÷ 12, then your contribution plus the employer match (your contribution × the match rate) is added. The year table snapshots the balance at each birthday. Today’s dollars divides the final balance by (1 + inflation)years to show its buying power in money you can picture now. If you set a goal, the verdict compares the projection with it and estimates the extra monthly saving that would close any gap at the same return.
Formula & worked example
Formula: Each month: balance × (1 + annual return ÷ 12), then your contribution plus the employer match (contribution × match %) is added. The result is also shown in today's dollars by dividing out inflation.
Worked example: Start with $5,000, save $300/month with a 50% employer match ($150 more) at 8% for 30 years, and the projection reaches about $725,340 — from $167,000 of total contributions.
When to use this
- You want to know whether your current contribution rate reaches a real number by your target age.
- A raise or new job makes this the moment to set (or fix) the contribution percentage.
- You are comparing retiring at 60 vs 65 with arithmetic instead of anxiety.
- An employer match exists and you want to see what leaving it unclaimed costs.
How to use it, step by step
- Enter current age and target retirement age.
- Add savings so far and the monthly contribution.
- Enter the employer match as a percent of your contribution.
- Set a return assumption — 7% is the common long-run planning figure.
- Read the projection in today's dollars too; the inflation-adjusted line is the honest one.
What the inputs mean
| Input | What it is | Typical values |
|---|---|---|
| Current savings | Balance already invested | All retirement accounts combined |
| Monthly contribution | Your deposit each month | Plus match on top |
| Employer match | Employer adds this % of your contribution | 50% of the first 6% is a common design |
| Expected return | Average annual growth assumption | 6–8% typical planning range |
| Inflation | For the today's-dollars view | 2.5–3.5% long-run |
Another worked example
Start at 25 with $10,000 saved, contribute $250 a month with a 50% employer match ($125 more), at 7% until 60: the projection reaches about $790,457. Total cash in is $167,500 — the other $622,957 is growth and match, which is why the match line matters more than most people's fund choices.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I have saved by retirement?
A common yardstick is 25× your expected annual spending in retirement (the "4% rule"), but the right number depends on your lifestyle, other income like Social Security, and when you retire. Enter your own target as the goal above.
Why does starting early matter so much?
Because growth compounds on growth. $500 a month from age 35 at 7% becomes roughly $610,000 by 65; starting at 45 it becomes roughly $260,000 — the contributions halve, but the outcome falls by far more.
Should I count the employer match as my money?
Yes — it is part of your compensation, though it may vest over time. Never leave a match unclaimed by contributing less than the matched amount if you can avoid it; it is an instant 50–100% return.
What return should I assume?
Long-run US stock market returns have averaged around 10% a year before inflation, and balanced portfolios less. Many planners project 6–8% for a diversified portfolio. Try a low and a high assumption to see your range.
💰 What does your paycheck really net?
The Paycheck Calculator turns salary or hourly pay into gross-to-net estimates for every pay frequency.
What return should I assume?
For a diversified portfolio, 6–8% nominal is the standard planning band; use the low end if the date cannot move. Anyone projecting 12%+ is selling something. The inflation-adjusted figure is the one to compare against your spending plans.
Does this include Social Security or pensions?
No — it projects only your invested savings. Treat public/pension income as a separate layer that reduces how much your portfolio must provide, which usually makes the required goal smaller than the scary headline figures.