Retirement Calculator

Project how much you will have saved by retirement, how much you will need, and the monthly savings required to close any funding gap.

882.5K uses Updated · 2026-05-14 Runs locally · zero upload
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The Retirement Calculator estimates your retirement readiness by combining current savings, monthly contributions, and expected returns before and after retirement. It also factors in inflation so that the savings target reflects the real purchasing power of your desired retirement spending.

How to Use Retirement Calculator

  1. Enter your current age, planned retirement age, and expected years in retirement.
  2. Provide current retirement savings and monthly contributions.
  3. Set pre-retirement and post-retirement return rates and the expected inflation rate.
  4. Enter your desired annual spending in today’s dollars.
  5. Review the projected balance, total needed, and suggested monthly savings.

Formula & Theory - Retirement Calculator

FV_savings = PV × (1+r1)^n + PMT × 12 × ((1+r1)^n - 1) / r1
Spending_at_retire = annual_spending × (1+inflation)^n
Need = Spending_at_retire × (1 - (1 + r_real)^-Y) / r_real
where r_real = (1 + r2) / (1 + inflation) - 1

Use Cases for Retirement Calculator

  • Determine if your current savings rate is on track for retirement.
  • Test “what if” scenarios such as retiring earlier or spending more.
  • Compare contribution amounts needed to close a funding gap.
  • Educate clients on how inflation erodes long-term purchasing power.

Frequently asked questions about Retirement Calculator

How is inflation handled?

Your desired spending is grown to the retirement year using the inflation rate, and post-retirement withdrawals are discounted with a real return rate to estimate the total needed.

Does it consider Social Security or pensions?

No. You can subtract any expected pension or Social Security from your desired spending to model their effect manually.

Why is my projected balance so sensitive to the return rate?

Compounding amplifies small differences in return over decades. Stress-test by trying a return rate that is one or two points lower.

Is my data stored?

No. Calculations run locally and no inputs leave your browser.