401K / IRA

Retirement Calculator

Project your nest egg from current savings, monthly contributions, and expected return — then stress-test the withdrawal rate.

Retirement Calculator

Project your nest egg from current savings, monthly contributions, and expected return — then stress-test the withdrawal rate.

Total retirement savings today
Amount saved each month
Annual investment return
Years until you begin withdrawals
Annual withdrawal as % of balance — 4% is traditional
THE FORMULA

How the math works.

FV = C(1+r)ⁿ + PMT × ((1+r)ⁿ - 1) / r Where: C = current savings r = monthly return rate (annual ÷ 12) n = months until retirement PMT = monthly contribution Annual Withdrawal = FV × withdrawal rate Monthly Withdrawal = Annual Withdrawal ÷ 12

Retirement projection combines compound interest (on your current savings) with the future value of an annuity (on your ongoing contributions). The result is a projected account balance at your target retirement date.

The withdrawal rate is the percentage of your final balance you withdraw each year in retirement. The "4% rule" — derived from the Trinity Study — suggests that withdrawing 4% of your starting balance annually, adjusted for inflation, gives a high probability of a portfolio lasting 30 years. Lower rates (3–3.5%) are safer for longer retirements or more conservative portfolios.

Expected return should reflect your actual asset allocation. A 60/40 stock/bond portfolio has historically averaged around 7% nominal. Adjust downward for inflation (typically 2–3%) to see results in today's purchasing power.