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Retirement Savings Calculator — Plan Your Nest Egg

Estimate how much you'll have at retirement based on your current savings, monthly contributions, expected return, and years until retirement. Free, no login, runs privately in your browser.

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How Much Do You Need to Retire?

A common guideline is the 25x rule: multiply your expected annual retirement expenses by 25 to estimate the nest egg you need. If you plan to spend $60,000/year in retirement, you'll need approximately $1.5 million saved. This is based on the "4% rule" — the idea that you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually without running out of money over a 30-year retirement.

What Return Rate Should I Use?

For long-term investments in a diversified stock portfolio (like an S&P 500 index fund), 7% annually is a commonly used estimate after adjusting for inflation. The historical nominal return of the US stock market is around 10%, but 7% is more conservative and accounts for inflation. For a mixed portfolio with bonds, use 5–6%.

The Power of Starting Early

Time is your biggest advantage in retirement planning. $500/month invested from age 25 to 65 at 7% grows to about $1.3 million. Starting at 35 instead gives you just $609,000 — less than half — despite only missing 10 years. Every decade you delay roughly halves your outcome.

401(k), IRA, and Tax-Advantaged Accounts

  • 401(k): Contribute up to $23,000/year (2024). Many employers match contributions — always contribute enough to get the full match, it's free money.
  • Traditional IRA: Up to $7,000/year (2024), tax-deductible contributions, taxed on withdrawal.
  • Roth IRA: Up to $7,000/year, contributions are after-tax but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free — ideal if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I save for retirement each month?+
A commonly cited target is saving 15% of your gross income for retirement, including any employer match. If you're starting late, you may need to save more. Use this calculator to work backwards: enter your target retirement age and nest egg, then adjust the monthly contribution until the result matches your goal.
What is the 4% rule?+
The 4% rule states that you can withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio in the first year, then adjust for inflation each year, and your money should last at least 30 years. It's based on historical market data studied by financial planner William Bengen. For example, a $1 million portfolio supports $40,000/year in withdrawals. Some planners now recommend 3–3.5% for more conservative planning given current interest rates.
When can I access my 401(k) or IRA without penalty?+
For most retirement accounts, you can make penalty-free withdrawals starting at age 59½. Withdrawing before that incurs a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus income taxes. There are exceptions for certain hardships. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73 for traditional accounts.
Should I pay off debt or save for retirement?+
The answer depends on interest rates. First, always contribute enough to your 401(k) to capture any employer match — that's a guaranteed 50–100% instant return. Then, pay off high-interest debt (credit cards, loans above 7–8%). After that, it generally makes sense to save for retirement since long-term investment returns typically exceed the cost of low-interest debt (mortgages, student loans under 5–6%).

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