Finance & Money
Retirement Savings Calculator
Use this retirement savings calculator to estimate how current savings and monthly contributions may grow over a long horizon.
Projected balance
—
- Inflation-adjusted balance
- —
- Total contributions
- —
Student quick launch
Grade planning, algebra checks, and formulas students reach for most.
Study path
Use this calculator with
Follow these when you want the formula behind the answer, a short lesson, or nearby tools in the same topic.
What this retirement savings calculator projects
It takes what you have saved now, what you add each month, and an assumed annual return, then compounds everything monthly over your chosen horizon. It also shows an inflation-adjusted balance so a large future number can be compared with today's purchasing power.
The growth formula
The first term grows your current balance P; the second is the future value of the stream of monthly contributions PMT. The inflation adjustment then divides the result by (1 + inflation)^years to estimate what that balance buys in today's dollars.
| Horizon | Total contributed | Projected balance | In today's dollars (3% inflation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $85,000 | ~$136,800 | ~$101,800 |
| 20 years | $145,000 | ~$361,400 | ~$200,100 |
| 30 years | $205,000 | ~$812,900 | ~$334,900 |
The table is a hypothetical illustration only: $25,000 starting balance plus $500 per month at an assumed 7% annual return. The striking part is the 30-year row — contributions total $205,000 but the projection is roughly four times that, because early dollars compound for decades. Change the return assumption and every number changes with it.
- Time horizon: in this model, extra years compound every prior dollar, so starting earlier moves the projection more than most other inputs.
- Monthly contribution: scales the second term of the formula directly.
- Return assumption: small changes compound into large end differences over decades — test a range rather than one number.
- Inflation: does not change the account balance, but changes what it is worth in today's terms.
Taxes, account fees, employer plans, and withdrawal rules are not modeled. Treat the output as a scenario for comparing choices — not financial advice and not a guaranteed outcome.
How to use it
- Enter current savings.
- Enter monthly contribution.
- Choose return, inflation, and time assumptions.
How to read the answer
Nominal balance is future dollars. Inflation-adjusted balance estimates today's purchasing power.
Common mistakes and edge cases
- Do not treat projected returns as guaranteed.
- Small contribution changes matter over decades.
- Inflation can make a large future balance feel smaller.
Worked examples
Long horizon
Projected balance
$812,897.93
Late starter
Projected balance
$274,007.31
Frequently asked questions
Does this include taxes?+
No. It estimates account growth before taxes and fees.
Why show inflation-adjusted balance?+
It helps compare future money with today's purchasing power.
Related calculators
401k Calculator
Estimate 401k growth from salary, contribution rate, employer match, current balance, and investment return.
Compound Interest Calculator
Calculate investment growth with compound interest, regular contributions, inflation adjustment, or reverse-solve the monthly contribution needed for a target.
Savings Goal Calculator
Find the monthly savings needed to reach a target amount with current savings, deadline, and interest.
Loan Calculator
Calculate fixed-rate loan payment, total interest, payoff time with extra payments, or reverse-solve loan amount from a monthly payment.
Mortgage Calculator
Estimate mortgage payment, PITI, PMI, total interest, first-month amortization, or reverse-solve home affordability from a target payment.
Tip Calculator
Calculate tip, tax, rounded totals, and per-person split, or find the tip percentage from a known tip amount.
Last updated: May 8, 2026