DayCents

Retirement

Retirement Calculator

Will your savings be enough? Project your nest egg from today to retirement age using your current balance, monthly contributions, and an expected return — then see the monthly income it could sustain under the classic 4% withdrawal rule, and how much of the final balance is growth.

Include employer match — it's part of what lands in the account.

Long-run diversified portfolios have averaged 6–8% nominal; lower it to stress-test.

Projected savings at 67

$1,559,831

Sustainable monthly income (4% rule)
$5,199

A planning heuristic, not a guarantee.

Total you'll contribute
$328,800
Investment growth
$1,231,031
Years until retirement
32
$1.6M$779.9K$04067
Balance by age
AgeBalanceContributedGrowth
40$135,173$102,000$33,173
45$241,739$144,000$97,739
50$392,810$186,000$206,810
55$606,973$228,000$378,973
60$910,575$270,000$640,575
65$1,340,969$312,000$1,028,969
67$1,559,831$328,800$1,231,031

How this calculator works

The projection compounds monthly at your expected return with contributions deposited at month-end, in exact cents. Sustainable income applies a 4% annual withdrawal rate to the projected balance, divided monthly.

The model deliberately excludes inflation adjustment, taxes (which depend on account types — 401(k), Roth, taxable), and sequence-of-returns risk. It's an educational projection: real portfolios fluctuate, and a financial planner can stress-test your specific situation.

Try an example

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire?

A common target is 25× your desired annual spending from savings (the inverse of the 4% rule): wanting $40,000 a year from your portfolio implies roughly a $1 million nest egg, on top of Social Security. Fidelity's rule of thumb is about 10× your final salary by age 67.

What is the 4% rule?

A planning guideline from the Trinity study: withdrawing 4% of your starting balance in year one, then adjusting for inflation, has historically survived 30-year retirements in most market scenarios. It's a useful estimate of sustainable income — not a guarantee, and many planners now model 3.5–4% ranges.

What return should I assume?

US stocks have returned about 10% annually before inflation over the last century, but a diversified retirement portfolio with bonds lands lower — 6–8% nominal is a common planning band. Run the calculator at 5% too: if the plan works at 5%, it's robust.

Does this account for inflation?

Results are nominal — future dollars. To think in today's purchasing power, subtract expected inflation from your return (use a 4–5% 'real' return instead of 7%) and read the results as today's dollars. Our Inflation Calculator shows exactly how purchasing power erodes.

Should I count Social Security?

Yes, as a separate layer. The average retired-worker benefit replaces roughly 30–40% of pre-retirement income for middle earners. This calculator projects your savings only — add your estimated benefit (see your SSA statement at ssa.gov) on top of the 4%-rule income.

Disclaimer: DayCents provides this calculator for educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on your inputs and the stated assumptions — they are not financial advice, a quote, or an offer of credit. Consult a qualified financial professional before making major money decisions.