ECONOMY STUDIORetirement calculator
What your savings could grow to by retirement, the monthly income they could pay in today's money, and the total with Social Security. Every assumption is yours to change.
- From your savings
- $2,408
- From Social Security
- $2,170
- Savings at retirement
- $1,042,403
- In today's money
- $521,263
- Years until retirement
- 27
Saving $1,000 a month from age 40 to 67 on top of $100,000, at 4.88% a year, grows to $1,042,403: $521,263 in today's money, with prices rising 2.6% a year.
Spread evenly from 67 to 90, that pays about $2,408 a month in today's money. With $2,170 a month from Social Security, the total is about $4,578 a month.
The return is an assumption, not a forecast: it starts at the 10-year Treasury yield; stock and bond returns can be much higher or lower, and in some years negative.
Savings by age
| Age | Balance | In today's money |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | $135,387 | $128,612 |
| 44 | $174,394 | $157,377 |
| 46 | $217,392 | $186,363 |
| 48 | $264,788 | $215,635 |
| 50 | $317,034 | $245,263 |
| 52 | $374,624 | $275,313 |
| 54 | $438,106 | $305,855 |
| 56 | $508,082 | $336,958 |
| 58 | $585,218 | $368,693 |
| 60 | $670,244 | $401,130 |
| 62 | $763,969 | $434,344 |
| 64 | $867,282 | $468,407 |
| 66 | $981,165 | $503,397 |
| 68 | $1,033,377 | $503,655 |
| 70 | $1,009,194 | $467,255 |
| 72 | $975,876 | $429,219 |
| 74 | $932,157 | $389,474 |
| 76 | $876,625 | $347,943 |
| 78 | $807,705 | $304,546 |
| 80 | $723,648 | $259,199 |
| 82 | $622,505 | $211,814 |
| 84 | $502,111 | $162,299 |
| 86 | $360,059 | $110,559 |
| 88 | $193,677 | $56,494 |
| 90 | $0 | $0 |
How it works
Your savings grow each month at the yearly return you enter, with your monthly saving added. At retirement, the balance is turned into an even monthly income that keeps the same buying power every year and runs out exactly at the age you plan for. Everything is shown in today's money, using the inflation rate you enter. This is an illustration of the math, not financial advice.
After 73 or 75, the IRS requires withdrawals from most retirement accounts: see the RMD calculator. For Social Security's yearly raise, see the COLA calculator and how Social Security works.
Questions
How much do I need to retire?
It depends on what you will spend, how long retirement lasts, what your savings earn, inflation and your Social Security benefit. The calculator turns your savings into a monthly income in today's money, so you can compare it with what you spend now.
What return should I assume?
Nobody knows future returns, so the calculator starts at an observable rate: the 10-year Treasury yield, 4.88% (November 9, 2026). A savings account pays 0.38% on average and a 12-month CD 1.76% (FDIC). Stocks have returned more over long periods but can lose money for years. Try several rates: the result is only as good as the assumption.
How much can I put in a 401(k) in 2026?
Up to $24,500; $32,500 if you are 50 or older, and $35,750 at ages 60 to 63. An IRA allows $7,500, plus $1,100 at 50 or older (IRS). Employer contributions don't count toward your own limit.
How is Social Security included?
As a monthly amount in today's money. It starts at SSA's estimated average for retired workers after the 2027 raise: $2,170. Your own estimate is in your my Social Security account at ssa.gov.
What isn't included?
Taxes, investment fees, required minimum distributions, and changes in what you save or spend over time. The income keeps the same buying power each year and uses up the savings exactly at the age you plan to; real life is less even.
Sources
- IRS news release IR-2025-111 (Nov 13, 2025): 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500
- SSA, 2027 COLA fact sheet (average benefits)
- U.S. Treasury 10-year yield (FRED DGS10)
- BLS CPI-U (FRED CPIAUCNS)
- SSA, my Social Security (your own benefit estimate)
Educational tool, not financial advice. Results are estimates from the numbers you enter; lenders and banks calculate in their own ways. Default rates update automatically from official data.