Retirement Planner
Project Your Savings Growth and Track Progress to Financial Freedom
Plan your path to a secure retirement with our comprehensive retirement calculator. Visualize how compound interest grows your savings over time, track your progress toward your retirement goal, and discover how small changes today can lead to significant differences at retirement. Get personalized recommendations based on your unique situation.
Open Source & Transparent
All calculations are open source and verifiable on GitHub. We believe in transparency and welcome contributions to improve our tools.
Projected Retirement Balance
On Track to Exceed Goal100.0% of Goal
$3,047,431
Years to Retirement
30 years
Retirement Age
Age 65
Monthly Income (4% Rule)
$10,158/mo
Total Contributions
$690,000
Your Retirement Details
401(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts
Total across all accounts (including employer match)
Rule of thumb: 25x your desired annual retirement income (4% withdrawal rule)
$690,000
$18,000/year for 30 years
$2,357,431
77.4% of final balance
$1,499,733
Adjusted for 3.0% inflation
Portfolio Growth Over Time
Quick Summary
Recommendations
Great news! You're on track to exceed your retirement goal by $1,547,431.
Time is on your side. Each year of early investing significantly compounds your wealth.
The 4% Rule
Based on the Trinity Study, you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually with a high probability of your money lasting 30+ years.
Your safe annual withdrawal
$121,897
($10,158/month)
Understanding Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is the process of determining your retirement income goals and the actions needed to achieve them. It involves identifying sources of income, estimating expenses, implementing a savings program, and managing assets. The earlier you start, the more compound interest works in your favor.
Our retirement planner uses proven financial principles to project your savings growth. By entering your current savings, monthly contributions, and expected returns, you can see exactly how your nest egg will grow and whether you're on track to meet your goals.
The Power of Compound Interest
Albert Einstein reportedly called compound interest the "eighth wonder of the world." Here's why it's so powerful for retirement savers:
$500/month starting at 25
$1.4M
at age 65 (7% return)
$500/month starting at 35
$610K
at age 65 (7% return)
$500/month starting at 45
$246K
at age 65 (7% return)
Starting 10 years earlier more than doubles your final balance, even with identical contributions. Time in the market is your greatest asset.
Key Retirement Planning Rules
The 4% Rule
Withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation. Studies show a 95%+ success rate over 30 years.
Formula
Annual Income × 25 = Target
The 10-12x Salary Rule
Aim to save 10-12 times your final salary by retirement. Fidelity suggests these milestones:
• Age 30: 1x salary saved
• Age 40: 3x salary saved
• Age 50: 6x salary saved
• Age 60: 8x salary saved
The 15% Savings Rule
Save 15% of your pre-tax income (including employer match) for retirement. Starting later? You may need 20-25%.
Example: $80K income
$1,000/month contributions
Rule of 72
Divide 72 by your annual return to estimate how long it takes to double your money.
• 6% return: 12 years to double
• 7% return: ~10 years to double
• 8% return: 9 years to double
2025 Retirement Contribution Limits
401(k) / 403(b) / 457
IRA (Traditional & Roth)
Note: Roth IRA has income limits. Consider backdoor Roth if over limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I save for retirement? ▼
A common guideline is to save 10-15% of your pre-tax income. Many advisors recommend accumulating 10-12x your final salary by retirement. Using the 4% rule, if you want $60,000 annual income, you need $1.5 million saved. Our calculator helps you determine your personal target based on your goals.
What is a realistic rate of return? ▼
The S&P 500 has historically returned about 10% annually (7% after inflation). A balanced portfolio might expect 6-8%. Conservative portfolios with bonds: 4-6%. We recommend using 6-7% for planning to be conservative. Our calculator lets you model different scenarios.
When should I start saving for retirement? ▼
As early as possible! Thanks to compound interest, each decade of delay roughly doubles the monthly savings needed. Someone starting at 25 might need $500/month to reach $1M by 65, while starting at 35 might require $1,000/month for the same goal. Even small contributions matter.
What's the difference between Traditional and Roth accounts? ▼
Traditional accounts give you a tax deduction now but you pay taxes on withdrawals. Roth accounts use after-tax money but withdrawals are tax-free. Generally, choose Roth if you expect higher taxes in retirement, Traditional if you expect lower taxes. Many people benefit from having both. Use our 401(k) vs IRA Calculator to compare.
Should I include employer match in my contributions? ▼
Yes! Our calculator's monthly contribution field should include your contribution plus any employer match. If you contribute $500 and your employer matches $250, enter $750. Employer match is essentially free money—always contribute at least enough to get the full match.
How do I know if I'm on track for retirement? ▼
Our calculator shows your "funding percentage"—what percent of your goal you're projected to reach. 75%+ means you're on track. 50-75% needs attention. Below 50% requires action: increase savings, delay retirement, or adjust goals. The milestone tracking shows key checkpoints along your journey.
What about Social Security benefits? ▼
Social Security can supplement your retirement income but shouldn't be your only source. Average benefits are around $1,900/month in 2025. For detailed Social Security projections, use our Social Security Calculator. We recommend planning as if Social Security is a bonus, not a guarantee.
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