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Read the guide to understand the assumptions behind this calculator.
How this retirement savings calculator works
The calculator projects the current savings amount forward month by month. It applies the annual return assumption as an effective monthly rate, adds personal and employer contributions using the selected timing, and summarizes the estimated balance at the retirement age entered.
Current savings, contributions and employer contributions
Current savings are included as the starting balance. Monthly personal contributions and the optional employer contribution are simple fixed amounts. Employer eligibility, caps, vesting and plan-specific rules are not modelled.
Return and inflation assumptions
The annual return field is a user-entered assumption before inflation. The inflation field is used only to estimate the future balance in today's-money terms. Region settings change currency formatting and defaults only; they do not convert currencies or apply country-specific retirement programme rules.
Why long-term projections are not guarantees
Long projections compound return and inflation assumptions over many years. Small changes to those assumptions can materially change the estimated result, and actual returns, inflation, contributions, fees and employer plans can change over time.
What this calculator does not include
This tool does not include taxes, fees, account limits, investment selection, withdrawals, pensions, Social Security, country-specific retirement programmes, required distributions, drawdown modelling or retirement adequacy advice.
Key terms and assumptionsRetirement age, return and inflation assumptions, employer contributions, contribution timing, region settings and projection limits.
- Retirement age
- Retirement age is the age where the projection ends. It is user-entered and does not imply an official retirement age.
- Annual return assumption
- Annual return assumption is the average yearly return entered for the scenario. It is not a guarantee.
- Inflation-adjusted balance
- Inflation-adjusted balance estimates the future balance in today's-money terms using the inflation assumption entered.
- Employer contribution
- Employer contribution is a simple monthly amount entered by the user. Eligibility, caps, vesting and plan rules are not modelled.
- Estimated growth
- Estimated growth is the ending balance minus current savings, personal contributions and employer contributions.
- Contribution timing
- Start-of-month contributions have slightly more time in the projection than end-of-month contributions.
- Region settings
- Region settings change defaults, labels and currency formatting only. They do not convert amounts or apply local retirement rules.
- General estimate
- The result excludes tax, fees, account limits, investment selection, withdrawals, pensions, Social Security and retirement advice.
Guides and methodology
Plain-English notes that explain the assumptions behind related calculators and tools.
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FAQs
Is this retirement savings calculator financial advice?
No. It is a projection from the assumptions entered, not retirement, financial, tax, legal, accounting or investment advice.
Does the calculator guarantee my future balance?
No. Investment returns, inflation, fees, contributions and employer plans can change over time.
What does inflation-adjusted retirement balance mean?
It estimates the future balance in today's money by reducing it using the inflation assumption entered.
Does this include employer match rules?
No. You can enter an estimated employer contribution amount, but eligibility, caps and vesting are not modelled.
Does it include taxes or withdrawal rules?
No. It does not include taxes, account limits, retirement withdrawals, required distributions or pension rules.
Can I use a negative return?
Yes, down to the safe validation limit. Negative assumptions can help test downside scenarios.
Why does a small return change matter so much?
Long projections compound assumptions over many years, so small changes can produce large differences.
Can I use this outside the United States?
Yes, but region settings only change formatting and defaults. They do not apply country-specific retirement programmes.