Retirement inputs
Scenario planning works best when you compare optimistic, base, and conservative return assumptions.
Essential Calculator
Retirement Calculator
Estimate how much your portfolio could grow by retirement using current savings, monthly contributions, and expected annual return.
How to use this page
- Set your current balance, monthly contribution, expected return, and years to retirement.
- Review the ending balance and growth chart to compare scenarios.
- Use this as a planning aid, not a substitute for plan-specific advice or tax guidance.
Results
Ending balance$1,215,725
Annual savings$10,800
Years to retire25
Y25$1,215,725
What this calculator helps you see
Retirement calculators are most useful when they connect habit to outcome. This one is designed to show how a few levers, especially time and ongoing savings, change the projected finish line.
Formula
Retirement balance = current savings growth + future contribution growth
The calculator uses monthly compounding and recurring monthly contributions to estimate the ending portfolio size.
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Before you decide
- Outputs are estimates and should be reviewed against lender or plan-specific terms.
- Inputs are intentionally transparent so assumptions are easy to audit.
- Rates, fees, taxes, and account terms can change the final result.
Page details
- Updated April 15, 2026
- For assumptions and general guidance, see Methodology.
- For how explanatory content is written, see Editorial Policy.
Common questions
How should I choose an expected return?
Most planners compare a conservative, moderate, and optimistic range rather than relying on one number. This helps show how sensitive the final balance is to return assumptions.
Does this account for inflation?
Not directly. For a rough inflation-adjusted view, you can lower the assumed return to approximate real growth instead of nominal growth.