Retirement Savings Calculator
Compare what you'll have at retirement against what you'll need
Advanced (inflation & expected returns)
Defaults are close to long-run averages. Leave them as-is unless you have a specific scenario in mind.
- Needed at retirement
- $1,448,451
- Projected at retirement
- $498,748
- Shortfall
- $949,703
- Extra monthly savings to close gap
- $1,925
All figures are in today's purchasing power — inflation is already factored out.
Year-by-year balance (today's money)
| Age | Phase | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Saving | $51,161 |
| 37 | Saving | $62,758 |
| 38 | Saving | $74,807 |
| 39 | Saving | $87,326 |
| 40 | Saving | $100,334 |
| 41 | Saving | $113,849 |
| 42 | Saving | $127,892 |
| 43 | Saving | $142,483 |
| 44 | Saving | $157,643 |
| 45 | Saving | $173,395 |
| 46 | Saving | $189,762 |
| 47 | Saving | $206,767 |
| 48 | Saving | $224,436 |
| 49 | Saving | $242,795 |
| 50 | Saving | $261,870 |
| 51 | Saving | $281,689 |
| 52 | Saving | $302,282 |
| 53 | Saving | $323,678 |
| 54 | Saving | $345,909 |
| 55 | Saving | $369,008 |
| 56 | Saving | $393,008 |
| 57 | Saving | $417,945 |
| 58 | Saving | $443,855 |
| 59 | Saving | $470,777 |
| 60 | Saving | $498,748 |
| 61 | Retired | $446,047 |
| 62 | Retired | $392,575 |
| 63 | Retired | $338,320 |
| 64 | Retired | $283,271 |
| 65 | Retired | $227,416 |
| 66 | Retired | $170,744 |
| 67 | Retired | $113,243 |
| 68 | Retired | $54,900 |
| 69 | Retired | $0 |
| 70 | Retired | $0 |
| 71 | Retired | $0 |
| 72 | Retired | $0 |
| 73 | Retired | $0 |
| 74 | Retired | $0 |
| 75 | Retired | $0 |
| 76 | Retired | $0 |
| 77 | Retired | $0 |
| 78 | Retired | $0 |
| 79 | Retired | $0 |
| 80 | Retired | $0 |
| 81 | Retired | $0 |
| 82 | Retired | $0 |
| 83 | Retired | $0 |
| 84 | Retired | $0 |
| 85 | Retired | $0 |
| 86 | Retired | $0 |
| 87 | Retired | $0 |
| 88 | Retired | $0 |
| 89 | Retired | $0 |
| 90 | Retired | $0 |
About this tool
Enter your current age, target retirement age, life expectancy, desired monthly spending in retirement (in today's money), what you've saved already, and how much you save each month. The tool projects your nest egg at retirement and the amount you'd actually need to fund your spending until life expectancy, then shows the surplus or shortfall. Inflation and expected returns sit in an Advanced section with sensible defaults — leave them alone if you're not sure. Every number is shown in today's purchasing power so it's easy to relate to.
How to use
- Enter your current age, target retirement age, and life expectancy. Planning to age 90–95 is generally a safe default.
- Put monthly spending in TODAY's money — what would the lifestyle cost right now? Inflation is handled for you.
- Add what you have saved already and how much you contribute each month. If a pension or social security check is in the picture, subtract its monthly amount from monthly spending instead.
- If you want to override the defaults (2.5% inflation, 6.5%/4% returns), expand Advanced and adjust.
- If a shortfall shows up, the 'Extra monthly savings' card tells you exactly how much more per month would close it.
FAQ
Why is everything shown in today's money?
It's hard to relate to '$10,000/month thirty years from now'. Keeping inputs and outputs in today's purchasing power means the numbers compare directly to your current lifestyle. Inflation is automatically subtracted from your nominal returns under the hood.
Where do the default returns (6.5% / 4%) come from?
6.5% is roughly a long-run nominal return for an equity-heavy portfolio while you're still working; 4% is a more conservative bond-heavier mix once you're retired. Override them in Advanced if your allocation differs.
How do I include social security or a pension?
The simplest way: subtract the monthly benefit from your desired monthly spending. If you want $5,000/month and expect $1,500 from social security, enter $3,500 as monthly spending.
How is the 'extra monthly savings' figure calculated?
It's the extra amount you'd need to save every month from now until retirement to exactly close the projected shortfall. If that number feels too steep, retiring later or trimming retirement spending also closes the gap.
Can I rely on a single calculation?
No — markets, income, and life all shift over time. Treat this as a quick check-in once a year or two. For a precise plan, talk to a financial advisor.