How to Calculate Retirement Savings
What is Retirement Savings?
A retirement savings calculator projects whether your current savings rate will provide enough income in retirement. It combines compound growth of existing savings, future contributions, and estimates post-retirement income needs.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Project current savings forward at expected return rate
- 2Add future contributions compounded to retirement date
- 3At retirement, apply the 4% withdrawal rule to estimate sustainable annual income
- 44% rule: withdraw 4% of the portfolio in year 1, then adjust for inflation annually
Worked Examples
Input
$100k saved at 35, saving $1k/month, retire at 65, 7% return
Result
~$1.5M at retirement
4% rule → $60k/year income
Input
$0 saved at 25, $500/month, 7% return, retire at 65
Result
~$1.3M
Starting young matters more than amount
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