Retirement savings calculator
A simple projection of what your savings could grow to by retirement, under assumptions you choose.
Projected pot at retirement
Projected pot at retirement: US$581,178.90
- Total contributed
- US$217,000.00
- Investment growth
- US$364,178.90
- Example monthly income
- US$1,937.26
Year by year
| Year | Total contributed | Investment growth |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | US$31,000.00 | US$1,386.29 |
| 37 | US$37,000.00 | US$3,141.89 |
| 38 | US$43,000.00 | US$5,285.28 |
| 39 | US$49,000.00 | US$7,835.83 |
| 40 | US$55,000.00 | US$10,813.91 |
| 41 | US$61,000.00 | US$14,240.89 |
| 42 | US$67,000.00 | US$18,139.23 |
| 43 | US$73,000.00 | US$22,532.48 |
| 44 | US$79,000.00 | US$27,445.39 |
| 45 | US$85,000.00 | US$32,903.95 |
| 46 | US$91,000.00 | US$38,935.43 |
| 47 | US$97,000.00 | US$45,568.49 |
| 48 | US$103,000.00 | US$52,833.21 |
| 49 | US$109,000.00 | US$60,761.16 |
| 50 | US$115,000.00 | US$69,385.50 |
| 51 | US$121,000.00 | US$78,741.07 |
| 52 | US$127,000.00 | US$88,864.41 |
| 53 | US$133,000.00 | US$99,793.92 |
| 54 | US$139,000.00 | US$111,569.90 |
| 55 | US$145,000.00 | US$124,234.69 |
| 56 | US$151,000.00 | US$137,832.71 |
| 57 | US$157,000.00 | US$152,410.63 |
| 58 | US$163,000.00 | US$168,017.45 |
| 59 | US$169,000.00 | US$184,704.61 |
| 60 | US$175,000.00 | US$202,526.13 |
| 61 | US$181,000.00 | US$221,538.73 |
| 62 | US$187,000.00 | US$241,801.95 |
| 63 | US$193,000.00 | US$263,378.34 |
| 64 | US$199,000.00 | US$286,333.55 |
| 65 | US$205,000.00 | US$310,736.51 |
| 66 | US$211,000.00 | US$336,659.63 |
| 67 | US$217,000.00 | US$364,178.90 |
How it works
Your current savings and a monthly contribution, paid at the end of each month, grow at a constant return until retirement. The annual return is converted to its exact monthly equivalent, so 5% a year really is 5% a year.
If you enter inflation, the pot is also shown in today’s money. The example income applies the withdrawal rate to the pot and divides by 12.
This is a simplified illustration. It ignores taxes, fees, employer matching, state pensions, changes in contributions and the ups and downs of real markets. For decisions, speak to a qualified adviser.
Formula
n = (retirement age − age) × 12 i = (1 + annual return)^(1 ÷ 12) − 1 Pot = savings × (1 + i)^n + monthly × ((1 + i)^n − 1) ÷ i Today’s money = pot ÷ (1 + inflation)^years Income = pot × withdrawal rate ÷ 12
Worked example
At 35 with 25,000 saved, adding 500 a month at an assumed 5% a year, the pot at 67 is 581,178.90: 217,000 contributed and 364,178.90 of growth. A 4% withdrawal rate gives an example income of 1,937.26 a month.
Questions people ask
What return should I assume?
It depends on how the money is invested and on fees. Try a few rates, including a cautious one, to see the range of outcomes.
Is the 4% rule safe?
It comes from US historical studies and is a rough guide only. A lower rate is more cautious; your situation may differ.
Why show the pot in today’s money?
Prices rise over decades, so a large future number buys less than it seems. Today’s money shows what it would buy at current prices.