Retirement Savings Calculator 2026
Project total retirement savings, monthly income using the 4% rule, and how long it lasts.
Saving $1,000/month starting at age 35 with a 7% return will grow to approximately $1.2 million by age 65. Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, that supports $48,000/year in retirement income. If you're behind on savings, increasing contributions even modestly has a significant compounding effect.
Projected Retirement Savings
$1,625,795.87
Monthly Income (4% Rule)
$5,419.32
Annual Income
$65,031.83
How Long Savings Last
NaN years
The 4% rule (Trinity Study) suggests withdrawing 4% of portfolio per year for 30-year retirement.
The 4% rule (Trinity Study) suggests withdrawing 4% of portfolio per year for 30-year retirement.
About This Calculator
Retirement savings success comes down to three variables: how much you save, what return you earn, and how long you invest. Time is the most powerful — starting a decade earlier roughly doubles your ending balance due to compound interest.
The most cited retirement savings benchmark is 10–15% of gross income (including employer match) starting in your 20s. Fidelity's age-based targets: 1× salary saved by 30; 3× by 40; 6× by 50; 8× by 60; 10× by 67.
The 4% rule is the most widely used retirement withdrawal guideline: withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation. A portfolio of $1 million supports $40,000/year; $2 million supports $80,000/year. Research suggests the 4% rule has historically worked for 30-year retirements in a diversified US stock/bond portfolio.
How to Use
- 1Enter your current retirement savings balance across all accounts (401k, IRA, brokerage).
- 2Enter your monthly contribution (total savings rate, including employer match).
- 3Enter years until retirement.
- 4Set expected annual return (6–8% is common for diversified stock/bond portfolios).
- 5Review projected balance, sustainable annual income at 4% rule, and whether you're on track for your retirement income goals.
Formula & Methodology
Future Value = Current Savings × (1 + r)^n + Monthly Contribution × ((1 + r/12)^(n×12) − 1) / (r/12). Safe Annual Withdrawal = Final Balance × 0.04. Monthly Sustainable Withdrawal = Final Balance × 0.04 ÷ 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need to retire?
The most common rule: save 25× your annual expenses (the "4% rule" denominator). If you need $60,000/year in retirement, you need $1.5 million. If you need $80,000/year (and Social Security covers $20,000), you need $60,000 × 25 = $1.5 million in your own savings.
What is a good rate of return to assume for retirement planning?
For long-term (20+ year) equity-heavy portfolios, 7% (nominal) is a conservative assumption based on US stock market historical averages of 10% minus 3% inflation. For balanced 60/40 portfolios, 5–6% is more appropriate. For planning purposes, 6–7% is a reasonable middle ground to avoid over-optimism.
Am I saving enough for retirement?
Fidelity's benchmarks: save 1× your salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, 10× by 67. If you're behind, increasing your savings rate by even 2–3% makes a significant difference over 20+ years. Use this calculator to see the projected impact of increasing monthly contributions.
Sources & References
- Fidelity — How Much to Save for Retirement
- Vanguard — Retirement Savings Rate Research
- SSA — Retirement Planning Tool
Last updated: 2026-04-12