Retirement Savings Calculator
Project retirement balance with contributions, return, and inflation. Growth chart and step-by-step assumptions included — free, private, no signup.
Added Apr 18, 2026 · Updated Jun 27, 2026
Scenario A
Input
Result
Enter a value for current savings to see your result.
How it works
Projects your retirement savings balance based on your current nest egg, monthly contributions, expected annual return, and years until retirement. Supports optional lump-sum contributions and inflation adjustment to show real purchasing power.
Formula
FV = (PV + L)·(1+r)ⁿ + PMT·((1+r)ⁿ − 1)/r
- PV
- Current savings (present value)
- L
- One-time lump sum added at start
- PMT
- Monthly contribution
- r
- Monthly return rate (annual rate ÷ 12 ÷ 100)
- n
- Total months (years × 12)
Step by step
- 01Convert the annual return to a monthly rate by dividing by 12 and 100.
- 02Add any lump-sum contribution to the starting balance.
- 03Calculate the future value of starting balance growing at that rate over n months.
- 04Calculate the future value of all monthly contributions using the annuity formula.
- 05Add both to get the projected retirement balance.
- 06Optionally deflate the result by the inflation rate to show real purchasing power in today's dollars.
Examples
$25k savings, $500/month, 7%, 30 years
Starting with $25k and contributing $500/month at 7% return, you'd accumulate roughly $813k after 30 years — of which ~$608k is investment growth.
Inputs
- Current savings:
- 25000
- Monthly contribution:
- 500
- Expected annual return:
- 7
- Years until retirement:
- 30
- One-time lump sum (optional):
- 0
- Show inflation-adjusted value:
- false
Result
- Projected balance at retirement:
- 812897.93
- Total contributions:
- 205000
Frequently asked questions
What annual return should I use?
7% is a common estimate for a diversified stock portfolio (US market historical average). Conservative investors might use 5–6%; aggressive assumptions might use 8–10%. Actual returns vary significantly year to year.
How does the inflation adjustment work?
When enabled, the calculator divides the projected balance by (1 + inflation rate)^years to show what today's purchasing power that future amount represents. For example, $813k in 30 years at 3% inflation is worth about $335k in today's dollars.
What is the lump-sum field for?
Use it to model a one-time bonus, inheritance, or windfall added to your savings today. The lump sum compounds alongside your regular savings from year 1.
How do I model pension or Social Security income?
Reduce the monthly savings needed once you know a reliable after-tax income floor, or run two scenarios (with and without benefits) to see sensitivity. Benefits rules change; keep a conservative buffer.