Retirement Savings Calculator
Saving $500 a month from age 30 grows to about $1.17 million by 65 at a 7% return. Enter your own numbers to see your balance, your 4% rule income and the gap to close.
Quick answer · Updated 2026
Saving $500 a month from age 30, with $25,000 already saved, grows to about $1.17 million by age 65 at a 7% average annual return. Under the 4% rule that supports about $46,700 a year, which with $18,000 of Social Security covers a $60,000 retirement income. A common target is 25 times the yearly income you need from savings: $1.05 million for $42,000 a year.
| Monthly saving from age 30 | Balance at 65 (7% return) | 4% rule income |
|---|---|---|
| $250 | $717,178 | $28,687 a year |
| $500 | $1,167,442 | $46,698 a year |
| $1,000 | $2,067,969 | $82,719 a year |
Sources: 4% rule from the Trinity Study (Cooley, Hubbard and Walz, 1998); Social Security estimates from SSA.gov; figures computed with this calculator's own formula, before inflation and taxes. Researched general information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Personal Information
401k, IRA, and other retirement contributions
Historical stock market average: 7-10%
Average: $18,000/year
Retirement Projection
Projected Balance at 65
$0
In 35 years
Annual Retirement Income
$0
From savings (4% withdrawal)
Total Retirement Income
$18,000
Including Social Security
Income Goal Analysis
Savings Timeline
| Age | Balance | Years Left |
|---|
Key Insights
- • Total contributions: $0
- • Investment growth: $0
- • Years to retirement: 35
- • Monthly goal: $500
Retirement Planning Basics
Start Early
Time is your greatest asset. Starting at 25 vs 35 can double your retirement nest egg due to compound interest.
Employer Match
Always contribute enough to get your full 401k employer match - it's free money that can significantly boost your savings.
80% Rule
Plan to replace 80% of your pre-retirement income. You'll likely have lower expenses but want to maintain your lifestyle.
Common questions
How much do I need to retire?
A common rule of thumb is 25 times the yearly income you need from savings, which is the 4% rule in reverse. If you want $60,000 a year and expect $18,000 from Social Security, you need about $42,000 a year from savings, so roughly $1.05 million. Spending, retirement age and health costs move that number, so run your own figures.
Is the 4% rule still safe?
The 4% rule comes from studies of historical US stock and bond returns over 30-year retirements, where a 4% first-year withdrawal adjusted for inflation lasted in most periods. Retiring early, holding very conservative investments or facing high fees can call for a lower rate, such as 3.3% to 3.5%.
What rate of return should I use?
This calculator defaults to 7%, a long-run figure for a stock-heavy portfolio before inflation. For a more conservative plan use 5% to 6%, and remember that a projection in today's dollars should use a return after inflation, roughly 4% to 5%.
Saving through work? The 401(k) calculator uses the 2026 contribution limits and your employer match, and the compound interest calculator shows how monthly deposits grow.
