Retirement Calculator
See how your retirement savings could grow with a fixed monthly contribution and an assumed annual return. Enter your current balance (or zero), how much you add each month, the expected rate of return, and the number of years. The result is a rough future value—not a guarantee. For planning only; consider a financial advisor for your situation.
Estimate future value
How it works
We combine two effects: (1) growth of your current balance at the given annual rate, compounded monthly, and (2) future value of a series of monthly contributions (annuity). Formula: FV = PV×(1+r)^n + PMT×[((1+r)^n − 1)/r], where r is monthly rate, n is months, PV is current balance, PMT is monthly contribution.
Example: $50,000 now, $500/month, 6% per year, 25 years. Approximate future value is around $400,000–$450,000 (depending on compounding detail). This is illustrative only.
When to use it
Use it to see how increasing contributions or time affects the outcome, or to set a rough target. Do not rely on it as the only basis for retirement decisions; taxes, inflation, and life expectancy all matter.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this include inflation? No. The result is in today's dollars if you use a real (inflation-adjusted) return. For nominal growth use a higher rate and remember future value will buy less.
- What rate should I use? Use a long-term average return for your asset mix (e.g. 5–7% real for a balanced portfolio). Past returns do not guarantee future results.