Retirement Projection Calculator
See exactly how your portfolio will grow over time. Compound growth is the most powerful force in building wealth — and this calculator brings it to life.
Retirement Projection Calculator
Estimate how much your investments could grow by the time you retire.
Total of all investment accounts
Historical S&P 500: ~7-8%
Estimated Retirement Savings
In years, your investment could be worth:
Turn This Into Your FI Plan
Create a free account to model debt payoff, future income, Social Security, changing expenses and more.
The Power of Compound Growth
Your money earns returns. Those returns earn returns. Slide the controls and watch compound growth work its magic.
Assumes 7% annual return (inflation-adjusted)
Projected future value
Your money earned more than you put in. Compound growth contributed on top of your in contributions.
Choosing Your Assumptions
The inputs you choose matter. Here is how to think about each one.
Rate of Return
The S&P 500 has historically returned about 10% per year before inflation, or roughly 7% after inflation. For conservative planning, use 6-7% for stock-heavy portfolios and 4-5% for balanced portfolios. Being conservative means pleasant surprises later.
Inflation-adjusted, stock-heavy
Nominal returns, before inflation
Time Horizon
Compound growth accelerates over time. The first 10 years feel slow, but the last 10 years are explosive. At 7% annual returns, your money roughly doubles every 10 years. Five extra years can add hundreds of thousands of dollars — this is why starting today matters more than starting perfectly.
Monthly Contributions
Include all investment vehicles in your monthly contribution number. Consistent contributions matter more than timing the market. Even small increases compound dramatically over decades.
$23,000/yr limit + employer match
$7,000/yr, tax-free growth
Triple tax advantage
No limits, full flexibility
Starting Balance
Every dollar already invested has the longest runway for growth. Include all current retirement and investment accounts — 401(k), IRA, brokerage, and any other invested assets. A $50,000 head start at 7% becomes an extra $380,000 in 30 years without contributing another cent.
Tip: Do not count home equity or non-invested savings. Only include assets generating market returns.
Early vs Late Starter
Starting early beats investing more. The math proves it.
Early Emma
Starts at age 25
Late Larry
Starts at age 35
Emma invested HALF as much but ended with MORE
Emma contributed while Larry contributed . Yet Emma ends with more. Those 10 extra years of compound growth are worth more than doubling your monthly investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The historical average annual return for the S&P 500 is about 10% before inflation, or roughly 7% after inflation. For conservative planning, many financial planners recommend using 6-7% for stock-heavy portfolios and 4-5% for balanced portfolios.
The traditional guideline is 15% of gross income, but in the FI community the goal is often 50% or more. The right amount depends on when you want to retire. Use this calculator to find the monthly contribution needed to reach your target by your desired date.
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. A million dollars in 30 years will buy less than it does today. To account for this, use real (inflation-adjusted) returns of around 7% instead of nominal returns of 10%. This calculator uses nominal returns, so mentally adjust your target upward.
Sequence of returns risk is real. Having 2-3 years of expenses in bonds or cash, flexible spending rules, and diversified income sources helps. The 4% withdrawal rate already accounts for many historical downturns, but consider a 3.5% rate for extra safety.
Absolutely. An employer match is free money and should be included in your total monthly contribution. If your employer matches 50% up to 6% of your salary, that is effectively 3% additional savings on top of your own contributions.
Join ChooseFI free
Save your tools, picks, and progress.
Takes 30 seconds
Ready to go deeper?
Model pension, Social Security, Coast FI, and debt payoff — see how they affect your timeline. 100% free.
Explore More Calculators
Explore more tools to help you on your financial independence journey.
FI Number Calculator
Calculate how much you need to retire.
Savings Rate
See how your savings rate affects your timeline.
Coast FIRE
Find when compound growth funds your retirement.
Future Value
See compound interest grow your money.
Mortgage Payoff
See how extra payments save thousands.
Tax Brackets
Federal income tax rates and effective rate.
Join the Community
Connect with others on the same FI journey.