Enter your retirement goal, current savings, age, and expected returns — get instant monthly savings target, inflation-adjusted growth projection, and visual timeline to retirement.
It solves for the monthly contribution needed using the future value of an annuity formula, adjusted for inflation:
FV = Current × (1 + real_rate)^periods + Monthly × [((1 + real_rate)^periods - 1) / real_rate]
Where real_rate = (nominal return - inflation) / compounding periods.
Use the 25× rule as a starting point, then adjust:
Example: Want $60,000/year in today’s dollars? → Goal ≈ $1.5M (25×) minus ~$300k present value of Social Security → target ~$1.2M from savings.
Tip: Estimate future expenses with our Budget Calculator.
| Rate | Portfolio Type | Real Return (after ~3% inflation) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | Conservative (mostly bonds/CDs) | ~2% | Low |
| 7% | Balanced 60/40 | ~4% | Moderate |
| 8–9% | Growth-oriented | ~5–6% | High |
| 10% | Aggressive (90–100% stocks) | ~7% | Very High |
Historical note: S&P 500 real return (1928–2025) ≈6.7–7%. Use conservative numbers — sequence risk matters early in retirement.
Yes, still a solid benchmark per major firms (Vanguard, Fidelity), but many suggest 3.5–3.8% for longer retirements or lower bond yields. Test different withdrawal rates in the calculator.
7% nominal (~4% real after inflation) for balanced portfolios — matches long-term data. Use 5% for safety, 8–10% only if aggressive and young.
No — this is personal savings only. Subtract expected benefits (check ssa.gov) from your annual need to lower the goal.
At 3%, $1M today needs ~$2.43M in 30 years to keep same purchasing power. The calculator uses real returns to adjust automatically.
Use after-tax spending goal. Traditional 401(k)/IRA withdrawals are taxed; Roth are tax-free. Adjust goal up 15–30% if using pre-tax accounts.