ZYBERMART

Retirement Calculator

See how much you could have at retirement, how long it will last, and how much you need to save each month.

What you want to spend each month from savings, excluding pensions and Social Security.

Savings at retirement

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Your contributions
Investment growth
Monthly income it can pay (today's money)
Savings needed for your goal (today's money)
Your goal's income lasts until age
Monthly saving needed to reach your goal

How the retirement calculator works

  1. Saving years: your current savings and monthly contributions grow at the pre-retirement return until your retirement age.
  2. Today's money: the total is converted to today's prices using the inflation rate, so the numbers are easier to judge.
  3. Retirement years: the calculator works out the steady monthly income (rising with inflation) that your savings can pay until the “plan until” age, at the post-retirement return.
  4. Your goal: it then compares that income with your goal and shows the monthly saving needed to close any gap.

The 4% rule

A well-known guideline from US research says that withdrawing 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation, has historically lasted at least 30 years. Turned around, it means you need roughly 25 times your yearly spending from savings.

Ways to close a gap

  • Start or increase contributions now: money saved in your 30s has decades to compound.
  • Capture any employer match: it's an instant 50–100% return on the matched amount.
  • Retire a little later: each extra year adds contributions and growth and shortens retirement.
  • Keep fees low: a 1% yearly fee can cost a quarter of your final savings over a career.

Learn more in our guide to compound interest.

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire?

A common rule of thumb is about 25 times the yearly income you want from savings, which is the idea behind the 4% rule. Someone who wants $40,000 a year from savings would aim for around $1,000,000. This calculator gives a more personal estimate based on your ages and expected returns.

What return should I assume?

Nobody knows future returns. Many planners use 5–7% a year before retirement for a stock-heavy portfolio and 3–5% after retirement for a more cautious one. Try a lower rate as well to see how a weaker market would affect you.

Why does the calculator adjust for inflation?

Prices rise over time, so $1,000,000 in 35 years will buy much less than today. Results in “today's money” show what your future savings will be worth in current prices, which makes them easier to judge.

Does this include Social Security or a pension?

No. Enter only the monthly income you need from your own savings. If you expect a pension or Social Security of $1,500 a month and want $4,000 in total, enter $2,500 as your income goal.

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