RetirementCalculator.net

Retirement Planning

Retirement Calculator

See if you're on track for retirement. 60 seconds. No sign-up required.

Updated March 2026 · Uses 2026 tax brackets and contribution limits

35
18 85
$

Pre-tax gross annual salary

$

All accounts combined (401k, IRA, etc.)

$
67
50
85
$

80% of current income is a common guideline

Advanced Settings
90
7%
3%
$
50% up to 6%
%
up to %
0% Calculating...

Retirement Readiness Score

You'll Have

$0

You'll Need

$0

$0 gap to close

Monthly Income in Retirement

0/mo

This calculator provides estimates based on the information you enter and the assumptions described in our methodology. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

Projected Savings Over Time

$2.0M $1.5M $1.0M $0.5M $0 35 45 55 65 75 85 Age 67 $1,247,000
Accumulation
Drawdown
Peak balance at retirement

Year-by-Year Breakdown

Age Cash Flow Growth Balance

Projected values are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual results will vary.

By Ryan England Last Updated:

Methodology

How this calculator works

Enter your current age, income, savings balance, and monthly contribution. The calculator projects your retirement savings forward using your expected rate of return (we default to 7%, the historical average for a diversified portfolio before inflation), then compares it against your desired retirement income to identify any gap.

Every assumption is transparent and adjustable. If you disagree with a default, change it. For a full explanation of our calculation methods and data sources, see our methodology page.

How do you compare?

Real numbers from Vanguard's 2025 How America Saves report. The median column is the one that matters.

Age Group Average 401(k) Median 401(k) Fidelity Target
Under 25 $6,899 $1,948 N/A
25–34 $42,640 ~$14,000 1–2x salary
35–44 $103,552 ~$38,000 2–4x salary
45–54 $188,643 ~$60,000 4–6x salary
55–64 $271,230 ~$85,000 7–8x salary
65+ $299,442 $95,425 10x salary

The median is a more accurate picture of the typical worker. Averages are pulled up by a small number of very large accounts. Detailed retirement savings by age pages are coming soon.

Strategies that actually move the needle

Five changes, roughly in order of impact. Most people only need two or three.

Start With the Match

Contribute at least enough to capture your full employer 401(k) match. A typical match is 50% up to 6% of salary. That's 3% free.

401(k) Calculator →

Increase Your Rate Over Time

The average American contributes 7.7% of salary (Vanguard). Experts recommend 15%. Increase by 1% each year. Most people don't notice the change.

Use Catch-Up Contributions

At age 50, contribute an extra $8,000/year to your 401(k). Ages 60–63 get a "super catch-up" of $11,250 extra, for $35,750/year total. Source: IRS catch-up contribution limits.

Diversify Your Tax Exposure

Split contributions between traditional (tax-deferred) and Roth (tax-free in retirement) accounts for flexibility managing your tax bracket.

Optimize Social Security

Each year you delay claiming past 62 (up to 70), your benefit increases ~8% per year past full retirement age. It's one of the highest-return moves available.

Keep going

Related calculators

401(k) Calculator →

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Social Security Calculator Soon

Estimate your monthly benefit based on earnings and claiming age.

Roth IRA Calculator →

See how tax-free growth affects your retirement savings.

Pension Calculator Soon

Estimate defined benefit pension income from salary and service years.

Retirement Income Calculator Soon

Model how long savings last with different withdrawal strategies.

Early Retirement (FIRE) Soon

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Retirement savings by age

Benchmarks, strategies, and calculators tailored to where you are right now.

25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 62 65 67 70 Coming soon

Retirement by state

Tax rules, cost of living, and what retirement actually costs where you live.

Florida Texas Arizona North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Nevada Colorado Oregon California New York Coming soon

Common questions

How much money do I need to retire comfortably?
Most financial experts recommend saving 10 to 15 times your annual pre-retirement income by age 67. For someone earning $75,000, that's $750,000 to $1,125,000. The exact amount depends on your desired lifestyle, location, healthcare needs, and other income sources like Social Security. Use the calculator above to estimate your personal number.
What is the average retirement savings by age?
The average 401(k) balance across all ages is $148,153, while the median is $38,176 (Vanguard, 2024 data). For the 55–64 age group, the average is $271,230 and the median is approximately $85,000. The gap between average and median is significant — a small number of very large accounts pull the average up.
What rate of return should I assume for retirement planning?
A commonly used assumption is 7% average annual return before inflation (approximately 4–5% after inflation), based on long-term historical returns of a diversified stock/bond portfolio. Our calculator defaults to 7%, but you can adjust this in advanced settings. Conservative planners may use 5–6%.
How does Social Security factor into retirement planning?
Social Security replaces roughly 30–40% of pre-retirement income for most workers. Your benefit depends on your 35 highest-earning years and claiming age. The maximum benefit in 2026 is $4,152/month at full retirement age (67). Use our Social Security calculator for your personalized estimate.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your savings in year one, then adjusting for inflation each year, giving a high probability of not running out of money over 30 years. On a $1 million portfolio, that's $40,000 in year one. It's a useful starting point based on William Bengen's 1994 research, not a guarantee.
When should I start saving for retirement?
As early as possible. A 25-year-old saving $200/month at 7% average return would have approximately $528,000 by age 65. Starting at 35 with the same amount yields approximately $244,000 — less than half. Time and compound interest are the most powerful factors in retirement savings growth.
How much should I be saving for retirement each year?
Financial experts generally recommend saving 15% of your pre-tax income, including any employer match. The average American contributes 7.7% of salary, with employers adding roughly another 4.3%, for a total of about 12% (Vanguard). If you're behind, catch-up contributions after age 50 can help close the gap.
Can I retire early?
Potentially, but it requires careful planning. Retiring before 59½ means limited access to retirement accounts (with exceptions like the Rule of 55). Before 65 means no Medicare. Before 62 means no Social Security. Our early retirement calculator helps model these scenarios.