How to use the retirement calculator
- Pick a scenario: save until retirement, how long money lasts, or nest egg for spending.
- Enter a long-run annual rate assumption.
- Accumulate: current savings + monthly contribution + years → projected balance.
- Withdraw: nest egg + fixed monthly withdrawal → estimated months until depleted (assets still earn the same rate).
- Need: desired monthly spending for N years → nest egg required today; optional monthly save from zero.
- For year-by-year detail, inflation, or tax, extend with compound interest or future value.
Which question each mode answers
Accumulation, decumulation runway, and lump-sum need for a spending target—complementary views, not a full Social Security or tax model.
Assumptions
No withdrawal tax, RMD rules, healthcare shocks, or sequence-of-returns stress. Use conservative rates for planning; results are educational, not advice.
Frequently asked questions
What do the three scenario tabs calculate?
Save until retirement projects ending balance with contributions. How long money lasts estimates runway on fixed withdrawals. Nest egg for spending solves the lump sum needed to fund monthly spending for N years, plus a monthly-save-from-zero reference.
What annual rate should I use?
Use a long-run average return assumption—not a single good or bad year. Lower rates stress-test conservatively. Not a forecast or guarantee.
Does this include Social Security or pensions?
No. This page is math only for savings, withdrawals, and spending targets. Add Social Security, pensions, or other income separately.
Are withdrawal taxes included?
No. Withdrawals and spending goals are pre-tax illustrations unless you mentally adjust for your tax situation.
What is sequence-of-returns risk?
Bad markets early in retirement plus fixed withdrawals can shorten runway versus a smooth average return. This calculator uses a constant rate—not a stress test of early losses.
How does this relate to FV and PV calculators?
Accumulate aligns with future value. Spending-goal mode aligns with present value. Use compound interest for schedules.
Do the three modes share the same fields?
Each mode shows relevant fields only. The annual rate carries the same meaning; other fields stay in the form for sharing but only active mode fields drive results.
Can I share my scenario?
Yes. Use copy link below the form to share the same numbers with someone else or keep the scenario for your records.