Why Use This Calculator?
Retirement math has three engines: what you've saved, what you'll keep saving, and the decades of compounding in between. This calculator projects the nest egg you'll have at your target age — including your employer's 401k match, which is the single most underused raise in America.
The output separates what you contributed from what the market added, so you can see compounding's share of the total. Adjust the return rate between 5% and 8% to test conservative and optimistic futures.
How It Works
- Enter your current age, target retirement age, and current savings.
- Add your monthly contribution and any employer match percentage.
- Read the projected nest egg and how much of it is pure growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this work as a 401k calculator?
Enter your own 401k contribution as the monthly amount and your employer's match as a percentage — for example, matching 50% of your first 6% means the match line adds half again to your monthly savings.
What is a retirement countdown calculator?
It's the same idea from the other side: the years-to-go figure shows exactly how long your money has to compound. Each extra year of work is another year of contributions plus growth.
How big should my retirement nest egg be?
A common planning rule is 10–12 times your final annual salary, paired with a 4% initial withdrawal rate. Use the projection to see how close you're tracking.
Tips & Things to Watch
- If your employer matches, contribute at least to the full match — it's an instant 50–100% return.
- 7% is a reasonable inflation-adjusted planning return for a stock-heavy portfolio.
- Raise the contribution with every raise — future-you never misses the money.