Retirement Calculator
It projects a retirement pot from current savings, ongoing contributions, employer match, expected return and years to retirement.
Balance at age 65
$1,554,322
You put in
$250,920
Employer adds
$77,220
Growth
$1,226,182
Years invested
33
Monthly income
$5,181
Annual income
$62,173
What it calculates
It projects a retirement pot from current savings, ongoing contributions, employer match, expected return and years to retirement.
Why it matters
Small differences in contribution rate compound into very large differences over a working life.
Who it's for
Anyone with a 401(k), workplace pension, IRA or SIPP who wants to test whether their plan is on track.
Formula
- P₀
- Current balance
- c
- Annual contribution including employer match
- r
- Expected annual return
- t
- Years until retirement
Worked example
$50,000 saved, $600/month, 6% for 25 years
- 1Existing pot: 50,000 × 1.06²⁵ ≈ 214,600
- 2Contributions: 7,200 × [(1.06²⁵ − 1)/0.06] ≈ 395,000
≈ $609,000 at retirement
How the retirement calculator works
The projection combines the future value of your current balance with the future value of an annuity for contributions. Employer match is free return and should always be captured in full.
Contributions compound monthly at your expected annual return. Employer match is applied to the lesser of your contribution rate and the match cap.
Retirement income uses the classic 4% safe withdrawal rule — adjust it if you expect a longer or shorter retirement.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring fees — a 1% annual charge can consume roughly a fifth of a lifetime pot.
- Using nominal returns and forgetting inflation when judging whether the pot is 'enough'.
- Leaving employer match on the table.
Tips and best practice
- Raise contributions automatically with each pay rise.
- Model 4% and 7% returns to see the realistic range, not a single number.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to retire?
A common rule of thumb is 25× your annual spending, matching a 4% initial withdrawal rate.
What return should I assume?
Balanced portfolios have historically returned around 5–7% nominal over long periods. Be conservative for planning.
Does employer match count toward my contribution?
Yes for growth purposes, though it may sit outside your personal contribution limit.
Is this figure in today's money?
No, it is nominal. Subtract expected inflation from your return to see purchasing power.
Related calculators
Further reading
Methodology & trust
- Formula source
- Future value of a lump sum plus annuity.
- Last updated
- 2026-07-28
- Privacy
- Every calculation runs in your browser. No inputs are sent to a server or stored.
- Accessibility
- Keyboard navigable, labeled inputs and WCAG AA color contrast.