Retirement Savings Calculator
Project your retirement balance, total contributions, and total growth from current savings, monthly contributions, expected return, and time horizon.
- Formula checked
- Editorially reviewed
- Free · no signup
- Updated June 27, 2026
Your details
Your retirement projection
Future Retirement Balance
$812,897.93
30 years at 7%
Key takeaway
$500.00/mo + $25,000.00 → $812,897.93 in 30 years.
Saved on this device. No account required.
Share
Shares the calculator link. Your inputs stay on your device.
More ways to share
Privacy-safe: amounts you typed are never attached to a share link.
Saved on this device only — no account needed, no financial values leave your browser.
Balance over time
The same numbers as above, shown visually so the trade-offs are easy to see.
- Total Growth
- $607,897.93
- Total Contributions
- $205,000.00
Year-by-year projection
| Period | Opening balance | Added | Growth | Closing balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $25,000 | $6,000 | $2,004 | $33,004 |
| Year 2 | $33,004 | $6,000 | $2,582 | $41,586 |
| Year 3 | $41,586 | $6,000 | $3,203 | $50,788 |
| Year 4 | $50,788 | $6,000 | $3,868 | $60,656 |
| Year 5 | $60,656 | $6,000 | $4,581 | $71,237 |
| Year 6 | $71,237 | $6,000 | $5,346 | $82,583 |
| Year 7 | $82,583 | $6,000 | $6,166 | $94,749 |
| Year 8 | $94,749 | $6,000 | $7,046 | $107,795 |
| Year 9 | $107,795 | $6,000 | $7,989 | $121,784 |
| Year 10 | $121,784 | $6,000 | $9,000 | $136,784 |
Assumes a constant annual return, contributions made at the end of each month, and no taxes or fees.
Smart financial assistant
What this means
Future Retirement Balance is $812,897.93. This projects how your contributions and assumed return compound over the horizon you entered.
Is this good or bad?
The result is healthy when contributions — not the assumed return — do most of the work.
What's the risk?
Projections assume a steady return. Real markets deliver the average through very uneven years.
What should you do next?
Re-run the projection with a lower return assumption and confirm the plan still works.
Your action plan
- 1
Capture the full employer match
It is the only guaranteed return available to most savers.
- 2
Automate contributions on payday
It removes behaviour risk from the plan.
- 3
Re-run at a lower return
If 5% breaks the plan, the plan is too fragile.
- 4
Check fund expense ratios
A 1% fee compounds into a large lifetime cost.
- 5
Run the Compound Interest Calculator
How money grows with compounding over time.
Open Compound Interest Calculator
Smart timeline
Today
- Confirm your current contribution percentage.
- Note today's balance so you can measure progress.
This month
- Increase contributions by 1%.
- Verify your asset allocation matches your horizon.
Next 12 months
- Top up to the annual IRS contribution limit.
- Rebalance back to target allocation once.
Long term
- Escalate contributions with every raise.
- Shift toward lower volatility as the goal date approaches.
Your next steps on this site
- Compound Interest CalculatorThe next calculation people run after this one.
- Retirement guidesPlan the finish line.
- 401(k) vs IRAEmployer plan vs individual retirement account.
- Retirement PlanningTurn a paycheck into a lifetime.
- Investment authority centerEvery calculator, guide and decision path for this topic in one place.
Compare scenarios
Same inputs, three outlooks — we vary Expected return rate up and down so you can see the range before you commit.
Optimistic
$1,116,567.85
Future Retirement Balance
Expected return rate: 8.4%
Expected
$812,897.93
Future Retirement Balance
Expected return rate: 7%
Conservative
$599,111.70
Future Retirement Balance
Expected return rate: 5.6%
Result Intelligence
Understand your result
- Your future retirement balance is $812,897.93. Long-horizon results are dominated by contributions early and returns later.
- Assumed returns are historical averages — actual returns vary year to year.
What should you do next?
- Compound Interest Calculator
Model long-term growth of contributions.
- Retirement Calculator
Check if you're on track for retirement.
- Inflation Calculator
See real purchasing power over time.
- Roth Conversion Calculator
Weigh converting Traditional → Roth this year.
Ways to improve your result
- Max the employer 401(k) match first — it's a 100% return.
- Automate contributions on payday to remove behavior risk.
- Rebalance annually; sell winners back to target, not on emotion.
Common U.S. scenarios
Chicago mid-career
$25k IRA balance at 35 → ~$220k at 65 at a 7% real return with $500/month added.
Seattle high earner
Backdoor Roth is the go-to for filers above the $161k (single) direct Roth income cap in 2025.
Florida retiree
RMDs start at age 73. A partial Roth conversion in early 60s can shrink future RMDs.
Your result
- Future Retirement Balance
- $812,897.93
- Total Contributions
- $205,000.00
- Total Growth
- $607,897.93
$500.00/mo + $25,000.00 → $812,897.93 in 30 years.
You may also want to check
- Compound Interest CalculatorModel long-term growth of contributions.
- Retirement CalculatorCheck if you're on track for retirement.
- Inflation CalculatorSee real purchasing power over time.
- Roth Conversion CalculatorWeigh converting Traditional → Roth this year.
What this result assumes
Confidence in a number depends on the assumptions behind it. Here are ours, in full.
Assumptions
- The rate you entered stays fixed for the whole period.
- Every period is a whole calendar period of equal length.
- Payments and contributions are made on schedule, with none missed.
- Returns are shown before taxes, fees and inflation unless an input covers them.
- Results are rounded for display; internal math uses full precision.
Limitations
Markets are not linear — a constant return is a planning device, not a forecast.
Estimates are for education and planning. They are not financial, tax or legal advice.
Formula source
SEC investor.gov compound-growth conventions
- Version
- v1.3
- Last reviewed
Future Retirement Balance
$812,897.93
Related Calculators
Where to go next
Read before you decide
Guides and comparisons that put this number in context.
Most people also calculate
Most-opened investment tools alongside this one.
Frequently used together
Tools that answer the other half of the same question.
Continue your journey
The decision that usually comes next.
Popular in Investment
Reader favorites from the same category.
Recently updated
Newest tools and refreshed calculators on the site.
Quick answer
- What it does
- Retirement Savings Calculator project your retirement balance, total contributions, and total growth from current savings, monthly contributions, expected return, and time horizon. It runs entirely in your browser, needs no signup, and uses standard published U.S. formulas.
- When to use
- Use it when you project growth, contributions, or returns tied to retirement savings.
- Inputs
- Current savings
- Monthly contribution
- Expected return rate
- Years until retirement
- Outputs
- Future Retirement Balance
- Total Contributions
- Total Growth
- Takeaway
- In one line: enter your current savings and monthly contribution and the Retirement Savings Calculator returns future retirement balance and total contributions you can compare before deciding.
Last updated · Last reviewed · 1 min read
Retirement Savings Calculator: Your result projects future value under the return, contribution, and horizon you chose. Markets vary year-to-year, so treat it as a planning range, not a promise.
What your result means
- Compound growth means the last decade of your horizon does the heaviest lifting — start early.
- A 1% higher return assumption can double the projected value over 30+ years — be conservative.
- Inflation-adjusted (real) return is what actually determines your future purchasing power.
How does the formula work?
i = r ÷ 12, n = years × 12 FV = S × (1+i)^n + M × [((1+i)^n − 1) ÷ i] Total Contributions = S + M × n Total Growth = FV − Total Contributions
How it works
A retirement savings calculator projects the future value of current savings plus monthly contributions, with monthly compounding.
Step-by-step guide
- 1Enter the amount you plan to invest (one-time or monthly).
- 2Set the expected annual return and investment horizon.
- 3Adjust contributions, step-up, and inflation assumptions.
- 4Review projected value, gains, and year-by-year growth.
- 5Save or share the projection for your financial plan.
Example calculation
Example: $25,000 + $500/month at 7% for 30 years: FV ≈ $810,000. Contributions $205,000, growth $605,000.
Who should use this calculator?
- DIY investors planning long-term growth
- Anyone starting a SIP or 401(k)/IRA contribution
- Retirees estimating a safe withdrawal rate
- Advisors modelling portfolio projections
When should you use it?
- When starting a new SIP, 401(k) or IRA
- During annual portfolio reviews
- Before rebalancing or increasing contributions
- When planning a retirement date
What affects the result?
- Expected annual return and volatility
- Contribution amount and frequency
- Time horizon and start age
- Inflation, taxes and fees
- Employer match (for 401(k))
Compare three scenarios
| Scenario | Inputs | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Start at 25 | $400/mo, 7% return, 40 yrs | ≈ $1.05M — $192k contributed |
| Start at 35 | $400/mo, 7% return, 30 yrs | ≈ $488k — $144k contributed |
| Start at 45 | $400/mo, 7% return, 20 yrs | ≈ $208k — $96k contributed |
Illustrative examples using U.S. market averages. Enter your own numbers above for a personalized figure.
Comparison tables
Traditional vs Roth: Pre-Tax Now or Tax-Free Later?
The IRS lets you deduct Traditional contributions today and tax withdrawals in retirement, or pay tax today on Roth contributions and withdraw tax-free after age 59½ (with the 5-year rule satisfied).
| Factor | Traditional 401(k) / IRA | Roth 401(k) / Roth IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Tax treatment of contribution | Deductible now — lowers this year's taxable income | After-tax now — no current deduction |
| Tax on qualified withdrawal | Taxed as ordinary income | $0 federal tax on qualified distributions |
| Required minimum distributions | RMDs begin at age 73 (SECURE 2.0) | No RMDs on Roth IRA; Roth 401(k) RMDs eliminated from 2024 |
| Income limits | No income cap to contribute; deduction phases out with a workplace plan | Roth IRA phases out by MAGI; Roth 401(k) has no income cap |
| Best when | Your current marginal bracket is higher than your expected retirement bracket | You are early-career, in the 12%/22% bracket, or expect higher future rates |
Bottom line: If your current and future brackets look similar, split contributions. Tax diversification lets you control your taxable income in retirement — which also controls Medicare IRMAA surcharges and Social Security taxation.
APR vs APY: Why the Two Numbers Differ
APR is the cost of borrowing under Regulation Z. APY is the return on savings under Regulation DD (Truth in Savings). Only APY includes compounding.
| Factor | APR (Annual Percentage Rate) | APY (Annual Percentage Yield) |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Loans, mortgages, credit cards | Savings, CDs, money market accounts |
| Includes fees | Yes — points and most finance charges | No — fees are disclosed separately |
| Includes compounding | No | Yes |
| Governing rule | Regulation Z / Truth in Lending Act | Regulation DD / Truth in Savings Act |
| Relationship | Nominal rate + fees, annualized | APY = (1 + r/n)^n − 1 |
Bottom line: Compare loans on APR and deposits on APY. Comparing an APR to an APY always understates the real gap.
Decision guide
Should I Contribute to a Roth?
The Roth answer is almost entirely a marginal-tax-bracket question.
1Are you currently in the 10%, 12% or 22% federal bracket?
Yes: Roth is strongly favored — you are paying tax at a historically low rate.
No: Continue.
2Do you expect a higher taxable income in retirement (pensions, rentals, large pre-tax balances)?
Yes: Roth still helps — it controls future RMDs and Medicare IRMAA surcharges.
No: Continue.
3Is your MAGI above the Roth IRA phase-out?
Yes: Use a Roth 401(k) (no income limit) or a backdoor Roth conversion.
No: Continue.
4Are you in the 32%+ bracket and near retirement?
Yes: Favor Traditional now, then convert during low-income years.
No: Contribute to the Roth.
Bottom line: Roth wins in low brackets and for tax diversification; Traditional wins at peak earnings. Most people should hold some of each.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a fixed rate of return every year.
- Ignoring inflation when projecting future value.
- Not accounting for taxes on gains or distributions.
Pro tips
- Increase your contribution rate with each raise — even 1% compounds meaningfully.
- Stress-test your plan with a lower return assumption to see the downside.
- Always max the employer match before adding to a taxable account.
Why use this calculator
- Long-horizon projections with realistic inflation and fee drag.
- Compare lump-sum vs SIP vs step-up strategies instantly.
- Employer match, tax bracket and Roth vs Traditional scenarios built in.
- Year-by-year growth table you can export or share.
Limitations to keep in mind
- Returns are assumptions, not guarantees — actual results will vary.
- Ignores sequence-of-returns risk unless you model it explicitly.
- Tax treatment depends on your jurisdiction and account type.
- Not personalized investment advice — consult a fiduciary before acting.
Key terms explained
- CAGR
- Compound Annual Growth Rate — the smoothed yearly return that would take you from your starting value to your ending value over the period.
- Real vs nominal return
- Nominal return ignores inflation; real return subtracts it. Only real return reflects future purchasing power.
- Dollar-cost averaging
- Investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule. Reduces timing risk and smooths out entry prices over long horizons.
- Expense ratio
- The annual fee a fund charges as a % of assets. Even 0.5% higher fees can cost tens of thousands over 30 years.
- Safe withdrawal rate
- The % of a retirement portfolio you can withdraw yearly without running out — the classic 4% rule is a starting point, not a guarantee.
Before you decide
- Confirm the account type (Roth, Traditional, taxable) matches your tax strategy.
- Capture the full employer match before contributing anywhere else.
- Stress-test the plan at a 2% lower return and higher inflation before relying on it.
- Set an automatic contribution and an annual step-up on your raise date.
Official Sources & References
The formulas, rates and definitions used by this calculator are aligned with the following official sources:
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Investor.gov — Official compound-interest and growth conventions.
- FINRA — Fund Analyzer & Investor Education — Expense-ratio, fee-drag and fund-comparison methodology.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury — Interest Rate Data — Benchmark Treasury yields for risk-free comparison.
- IRS — Investment Income and Expenses (Pub. 550) — Capital gains, dividends and cost-basis rules.
We use only primary sources — regulators, standards bodies and scheme operators. See our full sourcing policy for details. Sources & References Policy · Calculator Methodology · How We Verify Formulas
Trust & Accuracy
Accuracy tested
Verified against SEC / AMFI compound-growth and XIRR conventions. Edge cases, formula validation and manual verification completed (last reviewed June 27, 2026).
Government source
Inputs and thresholds follow U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investor guidance.
Educational use
This tool is provided for education and planning only. It is not financial, tax, legal or medical advice.
Available for
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, India, European Union.
Currency support
USD · INR · CAD · AUD · GBP · EUR
Privacy
No information entered into this calculator is stored on our servers unless you explicitly choose to save or share your calculation.
Print, share & save
Use the Save, Share, Copy, PDF, CSV and Print actions under the result panel.
Accessibility
Keyboard navigable, screen-reader friendly labels, responsive on mobile and desktop.
Learn more: How we verify formulas · How we test accuracy · Methodology · Editorial policy
Recent Updates
We continuously review and improve our calculators to keep formulas, assumptions and references accurate.
View change log (4)Show
- v1.3
Added Trust & Accuracy panel and machine-readable change log.
- v1.2
Added Save, Share, PDF, CSV and Print actions to results.
- v1.1
Added global currency selector (USD, INR, CAD, AUD, GBP, EUR).
- v1.0
Initial calculator release with verified formulas and Official Sources.
Share this Calculator
Share to any platform, embed it on your site, or scan the QR code. No sign-up required.
More ways to share
Embed code
Frequently Asked Questions
Related guides
In-depth investment guides, worked examples, and expert explainers.
Related topics
What's next?
Your next step
Most people who use this calculator explore these next. Follow the path in order for a complete plan.
Popular calculators
Loan Calculator
Calculate EMI, total interest and cost for any loan.
EMI Calculator
Monthly EMI for home, personal, auto and business loans.
Mortgage Calculator
Estimate monthly mortgage payments, interest and amortization.
Compound Interest Calculator
How money grows with compounding over time.
Mortgage Refinance Calculator
Compare current mortgage to a refinance; find break-even.
Amortization Schedule Calculator
Break down each payment into principal and interest.
Recently updated
Beginner calculators
Simple, popular tools most people start with.
Roth IRA Calculator
Tax-free retirement growth from Roth IRA contributions.
401(k) Calculator
401(k) balance at retirement with employer match.
SIP Calculator
Future value of monthly SIP investments.
FIRE Calculator
Target corpus for Financial Independence Retire Early.
Social Security Benefits Calculator
Estimated monthly Social Security benefit at your chosen claim age.
Roth Conversion Calculator
Federal tax owed to convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
Advanced calculators
Specialised tools for deeper analysis.
Lumpsum Calculator
Future value of a one-time investment.
CAGR Calculator
Compound annual growth rate of an investment.
XIRR Calculator
Annualised return on irregular cash flows.
SWP Calculator
Systematic withdrawal plan payouts and corpus longevity.
FIRE Calculator
Target corpus for Financial Independence Retire Early.
Coast FIRE Calculator
Savings needed today to coast to retirement.