Quick answer: A retirement calculator projects your savings growth: enter your current age, retirement age, savings, monthly contributions and expected return to see your projected nest egg and sustainable monthly income.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Key facts
- Projects your retirement nest egg with compound growth on savings plus monthly contributions.
- Shows monthly retirement income using the 4% safe-withdrawal rule.
- Future value = savings × (1+r)n + monthly × (((1+r)n − 1) ÷ r).
- Starting early matters more than high returns: extra years compound the most.
A retirement calculator estimates how much your savings will grow by retirement: future value = current savings × (1 + r)n plus the future value of monthly contributions. This free retirement calculator projects your nest egg from your age, savings, contributions and expected return, then converts it to monthly income with the 4% rule.
Enter your current and retirement ages, what you have saved, what you add monthly, and a realistic return (7% is the long-run US stock market average after inflation is closer to 5%). The numbers update instantly so you can see how saving $200 more a month changes your outcome.
How to use
- Enter your current age and retirement age.
- Enter your current retirement savings.
- Enter your monthly contribution.
- Set an expected annual return and read your projected nest egg and monthly income.
Retirement formulas
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PV | Current savings (present value). |
| PMT | Monthly contribution. |
| r | Monthly return (annual ÷ 12). |
| n | Total months until retirement. |
Worked examples
Early starter
35 years old, retires at 65, $50,000 saved, $500/month, 7% return: nest egg = $1,015,810; monthly income at 4% = $3,386.
Late starter, higher savings
45 years old, retires at 65, $100,000 saved, $1,000/month, 7% return: nest egg = $924,801; monthly income at 4% = $3,083. Ten fewer years still costs dearly versus starting early.
The 4% rule
| Nest egg | Monthly income (4%) |
|---|---|
| $500,000 | $1,667 |
| $1,000,000 | $3,333 |
| $1,500,000 | $5,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $6,667 |
Frequently asked questions
How much should I have saved for retirement?
Common benchmarks suggest 1x your salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50 and 8x by 60, but your target depends on spending, not income. Use the calculator with your numbers.
What is the 4% rule?
It says you can withdraw 4% of your nest egg in year one of retirement, then adjust for inflation yearly, with low odds of running out over 30 years. It is a guideline, not a guarantee.
What return should I assume?
US stocks averaged about 10% nominal (7% after inflation) long-term. Many planners use 6 to 7% nominal for a stock-heavy portfolio and 4 to 5% for a balanced one.
Does this include inflation?
No, the projection is in nominal dollars. To think in today's dollars, use a real return (nominal minus ~3% inflation).
Should I include Social Security?
Treat Social Security as extra income on top of this projection. Check your estimated benefit at ssa.gov and add it to the 4% income.
How much should I have saved by age 40?
A widely used Fidelity guideline is 1 times your salary by age 30, 3 times by 40, 6 times by 50, 8 times by 60 and 10 times by retirement at 67. Example: on a $60,000 salary, the age-40 target is 3 x $60,000 = $180,000 saved. These are rough benchmarks, not guarantees, and your own spending target matters more than any multiple.
Sources
- IRS — Retirement plan contribution limits
- Social Security Administration — Benefit estimates
Key takeaways
- Nest egg = savings growth + contribution growth, compounded monthly.
- The 4% rule turns a nest egg into monthly income: divide by 300.
- Starting 10 years earlier beats doubling contributions later.
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