Retirement math for regular people
RetirementCalculator.net is a free collection of retirement planning calculators built on publicly available data from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and major financial research institutions.
Every calculator shows its assumptions. Every default is adjustable. Every data claim links to its source. The goal is simple: give you the numbers you need to understand where you stand, without selling you anything.
Why this exists
Most retirement calculators online do one of two things: give you a single number with no explanation, or bury you in jargon and sales pitches. Neither helps you actually understand your situation.
We built RetirementCalculator.net because retirement planning is math, not magic. The formulas are public. The data is public. The tax rules are public. There's no reason this information should be locked behind a sales funnel or hidden inside a black box.
Every calculator on this site shows exactly what it assumes and how it arrives at its numbers. If you disagree with an assumption, change it. If you want to understand the formula, read our methodology page.
How we approach this
Accuracy over speed
Every number on this site traces back to an authoritative source: IRS publications, SSA actuarial tables, Vanguard research reports, or BLS data. When data conflicts between sources, we default to the government source. When we cite a benchmark, we name the institution that published it.
Transparency over mystery
Our default rate of return is 7% (historical average for a diversified portfolio before inflation). Our default inflation rate is 3%. Our default retirement age is 67 (full retirement age for those born after 1960). You can see every assumption, and you can change every one of them.
Education, not advice
We provide general financial information and planning tools. We do not provide personalized financial, tax, investment, or legal advice. We are not financial advisors and do not act in a fiduciary capacity. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional.
No hidden agenda
We do not provide specific investment recommendations. Calculator results are never influenced by advertising or affiliate relationships. This site may earn revenue from display advertising and affiliate partnerships, both of which are clearly identified and separated from editorial content.
Who's behind this
Ryan England
Data Analyst & Independent Retirement Researcher
Creator of RetirementCalculator.net. Data analyst and independent retirement researcher focused on building transparent, data-driven retirement tools that help people understand their financial trajectory without the jargon or sales pressure.
Background in data analytics and research. Every calculator on this site is built on publicly available government data and peer-reviewed financial research, with all assumptions disclosed and every default adjustable.
Our data sources
We follow a strict source hierarchy. Government agencies are our primary sources for rules, limits, and formulas. Published research from major financial institutions provides benchmarks and averages. We never cite other calculator or personal finance content sites as sources.
| Source Tier | Examples | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Government | IRS, SSA, BLS, OPM | Rules, limits, formulas |
| Financial Institutions | Vanguard, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price | Benchmarks, averages, survey data |
| Academic/Research | Federal Reserve, EBRI, NBER | Context, trends, demographic data |
For the full list of sources, default assumptions, and calculation methods, see our methodology page.
Contact
Found an error in our data or calculations? Have a question about our methodology? We take accuracy seriously and read every message.