Free calculator
Retirement Savings Calculator
Estimate how much you could have saved by retirement based on your savings, monthly contributions and an assumed return, shown in today's dollars too.
| Age | Balance | In today's dollars |
|---|
This is an illustration based on the assumptions you enter, not a forecast. Real returns vary year to year and can be negative. It doesn't include taxes, fees or employer matching.
Short answer: This calculator projects your retirement savings by growing your current balance and monthly contributions at a return you choose, then converts the result to today's dollars using an inflation rate you choose. It's a way to test scenarios, not a prediction.
How Does This Calculator Work?
The calculator adds your monthly contribution to your balance each month and grows the total at your assumed annual return, compounded monthly. When it reaches your retirement age, it shows:
- Projected savings at retirement, in future dollars
- The same amount in today's dollars, adjusted for the inflation rate you enter
- How much came from your contributions and how much from investment growth
The table shows your projected balance every five years, so you can see how growth tends to build over time.
What Do the Results Mean?
The biggest number can look large, especially over long periods, because of compounding. The today's-dollars figure is often the more useful one for planning, because it shows roughly what your savings could buy at current prices.
Small changes in your inputs can make a big difference over decades. Try:
- Raising your monthly contribution by $100 to see its long-term effect
- Lowering the assumed return to see a more conservative outcome
- Moving your retirement age a few years earlier or later
What Does This Calculator Leave Out?
To keep it simple, it doesn't include taxes, investment fees, employer matching or changes to your contributions over time. Real investment returns also go up and down from year to year and can be negative. To see how fees affect long-term growth, try our adviser fee calculator.
How Much Can You Contribute?
For 2026, the IRS lets you defer up to $24,500 into a 401(k) or similar workplace plan, with higher catch-up limits once you're 50. The IRA limit is $7,500. Using more of these limits is one of the most direct ways to raise your projection. See the full rules in our guide to 2026 401(k) and IRA contribution limits.
Frequently asked questions
What rate of return should I use in a retirement calculator?
There's no right number, because future returns are unknown. Try several rates, including a conservative one, to see a range of outcomes rather than relying on a single projection.
Why show savings in today's dollars?
Prices tend to rise over time, so a dollar in 25 years will buy less than a dollar today. Converting the projection to today's dollars, using the inflation rate you choose, shows roughly what your savings could buy in current terms.
Does this calculator include employer matching?
No. If your employer matches contributions, add the match to your monthly contribution to include it.
How much can I contribute to retirement accounts?
For 2026, the IRS limit for 401(k) and similar plans is $24,500, with higher catch-up limits for workers 50 and older. The IRA limit is $7,500.
Sources
- IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500
- IRS: Retirement topics - Catch-up contributions
This guide is general information, not personal advice. Your situation may differ, so consider talking with a qualified professional, such as a fiduciary financial adviser, CPA or licensed agent, before making a decision.