Enter your retirement planning assumptions
Example data table
This sample shows how different planning assumptions translate into an estimated retirement age and target portfolio.
| Current age | Current savings | Monthly contribution | Return | Inflation | Income goal | Other income | Estimated retirement age | Projected portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | $85,000 | $900 | 7.00% | 2.50% | $60,000 | $12,000 | 68.25 | $2,729,452 |
| 40 | $150,000 | $1,500 | 6.50% | 2.75% | $70,000 | $18,000 | 68.08 | $2,794,295 |
| 50 | $320,000 | $2,000 | 6.00% | 2.50% | $75,000 | $20,000 | 71.50 | $2,344,732 |
Formula used
1. Income gap in today's dollars
Income Gap = Desired Retirement Income Today − Other Retirement Income Today
2. Inflation-adjusted income gap
Future Income Gap = Income Gap × (1 + Inflation Rate)Years Until Retirement
3. Required nest egg
Required Nest Egg = Future Income Gap ÷ Safe Withdrawal Rate
4. Portfolio growth by monthly compounding
Next Month Savings = Current Savings × (1 + Monthly Return) + Monthly Contribution
5. Estimated retirement age
The calculator simulates each month until projected savings become greater than or equal to the inflation-adjusted required nest egg.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your current age and the amount already saved for retirement.
- Add your monthly contribution and how much that contribution may grow annually.
- Set expected investment return, inflation, and your desired yearly retirement income in today's dollars.
- Enter any pension, rental, or other retirement income expected in today's dollars.
- Choose a safe withdrawal rate that matches your planning style and risk tolerance.
- Set the maximum planning age, then calculate to view the retirement age, funding gap, and projection table.
- Use the CSV and PDF buttons to save the summary and annual projection snapshot.
Frequently asked questions
1. What does this retirement age calculator estimate?
It estimates the age when your projected portfolio can support your desired retirement income, after adjusting that income goal for inflation and other expected income sources.
2. Why does inflation matter here?
Inflation raises the future cost of living. A retirement income target that feels adequate today may require a much larger nest egg decades later.
3. What is a safe withdrawal rate?
It is the percentage of your portfolio you expect to withdraw yearly in retirement. Lower rates usually require a larger portfolio but may provide more planning margin.
4. Does this calculator guarantee retirement success?
No. It is a planning model based on assumptions. Actual markets, inflation, taxes, healthcare costs, and spending changes may produce different outcomes.
5. Should I include pensions or rental income?
Yes. Add reliable yearly income you expect during retirement in today's dollars. That reduces the investment income your portfolio must provide.
6. Why does contribution growth help?
If you increase contributions over time, your portfolio may grow faster. Even small annual increases can meaningfully reduce the time needed to reach retirement readiness.
7. What if the target is not reached by my maximum age?
The calculator shows that your current plan may be insufficient. Consider higher savings, lower income goals, later retirement, or different return assumptions.
8. Can I use this for early retirement planning?
Yes. Try lower withdrawal rates, realistic returns, and detailed income needs. Early retirement usually needs a larger margin because the portfolio must last longer.