Retirement Savings Calculator
Project how big your retirement nest egg could grow based on your savings, contributions and expected return.
Updated 20 Jun 2026 · Free · No sign-up
“Est. monthly income” applies the common 4% rule (4% of the nest egg per year) as a rough guide to sustainable withdrawals.
Retirement can feel impossibly far away, which is exactly why a quick projection is so useful: it turns a vague worry into real numbers. This retirement calculator estimates how large your nest egg could grow by the time you retire, based on what you’ve already saved, what you add each month, and the return you expect — and gives a rough sense of the monthly income it might support.
How the projection works
The calculator takes your current savings and grows it with compound returns until your retirement age, while adding your monthly contributions along the way. The result is a projected balance at retirement, split into how much you contributed versus how much came from investment growth — which, over decades, is usually the larger share thanks to compounding.
The 4% rule for income
To translate a nest egg into income, this tool applies the well-known 4% rule: a rough guideline suggesting you can withdraw about 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement (then adjust for inflation) with a reasonable chance the money lasts ~30 years. So a $1,000,000 nest egg implies roughly $40,000 a year, or about $3,300 a month. It’s a starting point, not a precise promise — real plans depend on markets, taxes, and how long you live.
A worked example
A 30-year-old with $25,000 saved, adding $500 a month at a 7% return, would have about $1.19 million by age 65. Of that, only around $235,000 is money they contributed — the other ~$950,000 is growth. That same person starting at 40 instead of 30 would end up with roughly half as much, a stark illustration of why the years you give your savings matter more than almost anything else.
Making your number bigger
Three levers dominate: contribute more, start sooner, and keep costs and taxes low (using tax-advantaged accounts like a 401(k) or IRA). Even raising your monthly contribution by $100 can add tens of thousands over a career. To understand the engine behind these numbers, see our compound interest calculator, and read how much to save for retirement.
Frequently asked questions
How much will I have saved for retirement?
It depends on your current savings, monthly contributions, expected return, and years until retirement. The calculator compounds your savings and contributions to project a nest egg at your chosen retirement age, and splits it into what you contributed versus investment growth.
What is the 4% rule?
It's a common guideline that you can withdraw about 4% of your retirement savings in the first year (adjusting for inflation thereafter) with a reasonable chance of the money lasting around 30 years. The calculator uses it to estimate a rough monthly income from your projected nest egg.
Why does starting early make such a difference?
Because of compounding. Money invested earlier has more years to earn returns on returns. In the example, starting at 30 instead of 40 roughly doubles the final nest egg for the same monthly saving — time is the most powerful factor in retirement growth.
Is this projection accurate?
It's an estimate based on a steady average return, but real markets fluctuate and returns aren't guaranteed. It also doesn't model inflation, taxes, or fees in detail. Use it to compare scenarios and motivate saving, not as a precise plan. This is not financial advice.