How does this retirement estimate work?
The calculator grows your current savings and every future monthly contribution at your expected annual return, right up to your retirement age. The result is your projected nest egg — the total pot you'd have to retire on.
The 4% rule
A common rule of thumb says you can withdraw about 4% of your savings per year in retirement with a good chance the money lasts ~30 years. We use it to estimate your potential monthly retirement income.
Nest egg by monthly saving and years to retirement
What steady monthly saving grows to at 7% a year (compounded monthly), starting from nothing. Figures are nominal (not adjusted for inflation) and work in any currency. Under the 4% rule, the monthly income a pot supports is about 1/300th of it.
| Saving / month | 10 yrs | 20 yrs | 25 yrs | 30 yrs | 35 yrs | 40 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 17,308 | 52,093 | 81,007 | 121,997 | 180,105 | 262,481 |
| 200 | 34,617 | 104,185 | 162,014 | 243,994 | 360,211 | 524,963 |
| 300 | 51,925 | 156,278 | 243,022 | 365,991 | 540,316 | 787,444 |
| 500 | 86,542 | 260,463 | 405,036 | 609,985 | 900,527 | 1,312,407 |
| 750 | 129,814 | 390,695 | 607,554 | 914,978 | 1,350,791 | 1,968,610 |
| 1,000 | 173,085 | 520,927 | 810,072 | 1,219,971 | 1,801,055 | 2,624,813 |
| 1,500 | 259,627 | 781,390 | 1,215,108 | 1,829,956 | 2,701,582 | 3,937,220 |
| 2,000 | 346,170 | 1,041,853 | 1,620,143 | 2,439,942 | 3,602,109 | 5,249,627 |
Start early — it matters most
Thanks to compounding, contributions you make in your 20s and 30s do far more work than the same amount later. Even small monthly increases now can add tens of thousands to your final pot.
How much will I have if I save 500 a month for 30 years?
About 609,985 at 7% a year. Under the 4% rule that supports roughly 2,033 a month in retirement income.
How much do I need to retire?
A common rule of thumb is 25 times your yearly spending — the flip side of the 4% rule. To draw 3,000 a month (36,000 a year), that's about 900,000. Pensions or other income reduce the amount you need to save yourself.
Does this account for inflation?
No — figures are in today's nominal terms. Real purchasing power will be lower, so consider using a slightly conservative return rate.
Is the 4% rule guaranteed?
No. It's a widely used guideline, not a promise — markets, spending and lifespan all affect how long savings last.