Should I include my employer's 401(k) match?

Yes — add it to your monthly contribution. An employer match is part of what's being invested on your behalf and compounds the same way your own contributions do.

Is the 4% rule guaranteed to work?

No. It's a historical guideline based on U.S. market data over 30-year retirements. Lower returns, higher inflation, or a longer retirement can require a more conservative withdrawal rate. Treat the income figure as a rough planning anchor.

Why is the projected number so much bigger than what I contribute?

Compounding. Over several decades, investment growth typically dwarfs the raw amount contributed — which is exactly why starting early and contributing consistently matters so much.

Retirement Savings Calculator

Project the size of your retirement nest egg based on what you’ve saved so far, what you add each month, and the years left until you retire. The estimate also shows a rough sustainable annual income using the well-known 4% guideline.

How this calculator works

The projection compounds monthly over the years between your current and retirement ages. Your current balance P grows as P · (1 + r)ⁿ, and your monthly contributions PMT grow as an annuity PMT · ((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) / r, where r is the monthly return (annual ÷ 12) and n is the number of months.

The 4% guideline

The “estimated annual income” figure multiplies your projected nest egg by 4%. This comes from research suggesting that withdrawing about 4% of a balanced portfolio in the first year of retirement (then adjusting for inflation) has historically lasted roughly 30 years. It is a rule of thumb, not a promise — your safe rate depends on your investments, longevity, and market conditions.

What this leaves out

This is a nominal projection. It does not model inflation eroding future purchasing power, taxes on withdrawals (which differ between a 401(k), Roth IRA, and taxable account), Social Security, or pensions. Use it to gauge whether you’re in the right ballpark, then plan the details with a professional.

Learn more

Roth vs Traditional: Which Retirement Account Wins? — Pay tax now or later? Understand how Roth and Traditional accounts differ, and the simple question that decides which is better for you.
The Time Value of Money: Why Starting Early Beats Saving More — Compounding rewards time more than effort. See why a head start can outweigh much larger contributions made later — and what that means for you.
How Much Should You Save? A Practical Framework — From the 50/30/20 rule to retirement targets, a grounded way to set a savings rate you can actually sustain — and where each dollar should go first.
Investing Basics: How to Start Growing Your Money — A jargon-free primer on why investing beats saving alone, what compound growth really does, and the simple, low-cost way most people get started.
What Is FIRE? A Beginner's Guide to Financial Independence — Financial Independence, Retire Early explained — the savings-rate math, the 25× rule, the variations, and the honest trade-offs behind the movement.
The HSA: The Most Tax-Advantaged Account You're Not Using — A Health Savings Account offers a rare triple tax advantage — and can double as a stealth retirement account. How HSAs work, who qualifies, and how to use one well.

Frequently asked questions

Should I include my employer's 401(k) match?: Yes — add it to your monthly contribution. An employer match is part of what's being invested on your behalf and compounds the same way your own contributions do.
Is the 4% rule guaranteed to work?: No. It's a historical guideline based on U.S. market data over 30-year retirements. Lower returns, higher inflation, or a longer retirement can require a more conservative withdrawal rate. Treat the income figure as a rough planning anchor.
Why is the projected number so much bigger than what I contribute?: Compounding. Over several decades, investment growth typically dwarfs the raw amount contributed — which is exactly why starting early and contributing consistently matters so much.