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UNITED STATES · RETIREMENT PLANNING

How much might you save for retirement?

Model your 401(k), IRA and other personal retirement investments as one illustrative balance. Change your savings and return assumptions to see projected future dollars and today's purchasing-power equivalent.

Planning your 401(k) and IRA retirement savings

Investment returns are uncertain. This model assumes fixed month-end deposits, steady compounding, no fees, no withdrawals, no taxes, no pension-account contribution limit checks, no market losses or sequence-of-returns risk. The 4% illustration is NOT guaranteed sustainable retirement income. Social Security benefits are not calculated because SSA uses your earnings record.

Illustrative investment balance at retirement

Illustrative investment balance at retirement$450,907Value in today's purchasing power: $248,933

Where the projected balance comes from

Your starting savings and total deposits$190,000
Illustrative investment growth$260,907
Years until retirement30
Your starting savings and total depositsIllustrative investment growth
Value in today's purchasing power$248,933

Illustrative 4%-of-pot annual draw divided by 12: $1,503 · This is NOT a promised monthly payment or personalised withdrawal advice.

STEP BY STEP

Planning your 401(k) and IRA retirement savings

  1. 01

    Combine the current balances you want to model, such as your 401(k), IRA or ordinary investments. Keep defined-benefit pensions and Social Security benefits out of this number.

  2. 02

    Enter how much you and an employer expect to add each month. Your real 401(k), IRA, catch-up and employer contribution limits depend on the year and the type of account.

  3. 03

    Choose an annual investment return and inflation assumption, both of which you can change. These figures are scenarios, NOT promises or market forecasts.

  4. 04

    Compare the future account balance with its value in today's purchasing power. The optional 4% illustration is just arithmetic, not a recommended safe-withdrawal strategy.

For example, age 35 to 65 is 360 monthly saving periods. With 0% return, $10,000 starting savings and $500 deposited each month becomes $190,000 before inflation, fees and tax.

Important assumptions

Investment returns are uncertain. This model assumes fixed month-end deposits, steady compounding, no fees, no withdrawals, no taxes, no pension-account contribution limit checks, no market losses or sequence-of-returns risk. The 4% illustration is NOT guaranteed sustainable retirement income. Social Security benefits are not calculated because SSA uses your earnings record.

Frequently asked questions

Does this calculate my Social Security retirement check?

No. Social Security payments depend on your recorded covered earnings and claiming age. Use your personal SSA online statement.

What about a 401(k) employer match?

Enter the amount your employer actually adds each month. The tool does not calculate your plan's match rules or legal contribution ceilings.

Does 5% assumed growth mean 5% guaranteed annual return?

No. It is a constant-growth illustration only; actual investments fluctuate and can lose value.

Official pension information

Use these sources for real pension eligibility and account-specific forecasts.

IRS — 2026 retirement plan contribution limitsSSA — check your personal Social Security forecast

Other retirement calculators

UNITED KINGDOMINDIAभारत · हिन्दीDeutschland · Rentenpunkte
IN-DEPTH CALCULATOR GUIDE

Retirement savings scenarios: contributions, growth and buying power

Use this retirement calculator to explore how contributions and an assumed return could affect a combined 401(k), IRA and taxable-investment balance by a selected future age. It is a long-term savings scenario, not a Social Security benefit estimate or a promise that a particular retirement target is achievable.

01

What the seven inputs actually mean

Start with your current age and the age at which you want to view your savings. Enter the balances you want to model together, followed by your own expected monthly deposit and any actual employer contributions to those accounts.

The nominal annual return is an assumption, not a quoted investment rate. Inflation is a separate assumption used only to express the future balance in today's purchasing power. The model uses regular month-end contributions and smooth month-by-month compounding.

02

A worked zero-growth example

If you are 35, want to project to 65, already have $10,000 and save $500 each month, a 0% growth scenario gives $10,000 + (30 × 12 × $500), or $190,000, before inflation, fees, taxes or withdrawals.

Now test a 5% nominal return and a 2% inflation scenario. The dollar balance increases through hypothetical compounding, but today's purchasing-power figure is lower than the future-dollar number. That gap is not an extra charge; it illustrates the loss of purchasing power over time.

03

Where 401(k), IRA and Social Security fit

Your employer's match formula, vesting rules and annual retirement-account contribution limits are not enforced here. Enter the monthly amount actually going into your account. A dollar of employee paycheck deferral is not necessarily the same as the after-tax cash cost.

Social Security is not included in the pot. Retirement benefits depend on an actual earnings record, the year and age of claiming and Social Security Administration rules. Use the SSA's personal statement for an entitlement forecast.

04

Do not mistake a projected portfolio for guaranteed income

An illustrative 4%-of-pot divided by 12 is a simple arithmetic comparison, not an annuity quote, a withdrawal recommendation or evidence that the withdrawal is sustainable. A real plan faces market losses, sequence risk, fees, taxes, inflation shocks, lifespan uncertainty and healthcare costs.

Consider testing several low-return and high-inflation assumptions rather than relying on a single optimistic forecast. Review your investment allocation, cash needs, emergency reserves and relevant tax planning with a qualified professional.

Educational planning only. Verify relevant official records and lender or tax documents before making decisions.

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