Retirement Savings Calculator
Project your retirement balance, see how far it goes in today's dollars, and estimate the monthly income it can support.
| Age | Year | Balance | Annual Contribution |
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The 4% Rule (Trinity Study)
The 4% rule originates from the 1998 Trinity Study, which analyzed historical U.S. stock and bond returns over 30-year retirement periods. The study found that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjusting for inflation each year, had a high probability of not depleting a balanced portfolio over 30 years. It's a starting point, not a guarantee — actual success rates vary with market conditions and retirement length.
Why Real Returns (Inflation-Adjusted) Matter
A million dollars in 30 years is worth far less than a million dollars today. With 3% average inflation, $1M in 30 years has the purchasing power of about $412,000 today. The inflation-adjusted figure shown above tells you what your projected balance is worth in today's terms, giving you a more realistic picture of your retirement purchasing power.
Social Security as a Supplement
This calculator shows your portfolio-based income only. Social Security is not included. For most Americans, Social Security will supplement — but not replace — personal savings. You can estimate your Social Security benefit at ssa.gov/myaccount. Benefits average around $1,500–$2,000/month for most retirees, which meaningfully reduces the portfolio income gap.
Catch-Up Contributions After Age 50
The IRS allows additional "catch-up" contributions for workers aged 50 and older. In 2025, the 401k catch-up contribution is $7,500 extra per year (on top of the $23,500 standard limit). IRA catch-up is $1,000 extra per year. If you started saving late, maximizing these catch-up contributions can significantly close the gap.