Retirement Savings Calculator

Explore a retirement saving scenario using your starting balance, monthly savings amount and return assumption. Compare the ending balance with the money you contribute.

Enter your values to see an estimate. Enter 0 for amounts that do not apply.

How this calculator works

The starting balance grows at the entered nominal annual return compounded monthly. Contributions enter at each month-end. The result separates contributed money from growth.

Worked example

Starting with 1,000 and saving 100 per month for 12 months at zero return produces 2,200. All 2,200 is contributed money and modeled investment growth is zero.

Assumptions and limits

Assumes a constant nonnegative return and unchanged contributions. Excludes inflation, taxes, fees and market variability; projected growth is not guaranteed.

How to choose your inputs

Enter retirement money already saved, a monthly contribution you can sustain and the months until you expect to begin drawing from it. Keep contributions outside this account out of the input unless they are part of the same scenario. Use a nominal return assumption and compare alternatives rather than treating the projection as an expected benefit statement.

How to interpret your result

Compare the ending balance with a separately chosen retirement target, using the same future-dollar basis for both. A positive growth result alone does not show retirement readiness or sustainable income. If the target is out of reach, test contribution and timing changes before raising the return assumption; tax treatment and account eligibility are not calculated here.

Primary references

This educational estimate uses your inputs. It is not individualized financial, tax, insurance, or investment advice, a lender offer, approval decision, or a promise of future results.

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