How We Project Your Retirement Savings

This calculator uses compound growth: your current savings grow at your expected return, plus each monthly contribution also grows from when deposited until retirement. Formula: FV = PV(1+r)^n + PMT × [(1+r)^n - 1] / r

What Return Rate Should You Use?

Aggressive (8-10%): Heavy stock allocation—best for 20+ years until retirement
Moderate (6-7%): Mix of stocks and bonds—standard for most planning
Conservative (4-5%): More bonds/cash—use if retiring within 10 years

The 4% Safe Withdrawal Rule

At retirement, you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually (adjusted for inflation) with ~95% chance of not running out over 30 years. $1M portfolio = $40K/year (~$3,333/month) sustainable income.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I have saved by age 30, 40, 50?

Fidelity's rule: 1x salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60, 10x by 67. Earning $80K at 40? Target $240K saved. Behind? Increase contributions or delay retirement.

Can I retire at 55 with $1 million?

At 4% withdrawal, $1M provides $40K/year. Add Social Security (later), and it may work if expenses are low. But 55 means 30-40 years of retirement—consider a 3.5% rate ($35K/year) for safety.

Should I include Social Security in my retirement plan?

Yes, but conservatively. Estimate ~75% of your projected benefit due to possible future cuts. Average SS benefit is ~$1,900/month (2026). Check your estimate at ssa.gov.

What's more important: saving more or starting early?

Starting early, hands down. $200/mo from age 25 beats $400/mo from age 35 over 40 years. But if you're behind, saving more is your only option—aim for 20-25% of income.

Retirement Calculator