Loan Retirement Calculator
Project your retirement savings year by year — current savings, monthly contributions, employer match and growth — then check the total against your goal.
Year-by-year projection
| Age | Balance | You contributed | Employer match | Growth |
|---|
How it works
The projection compounds monthly: each month your balance grows by the annual return ÷ 12, then your contribution plus the employer match (your contribution × the match rate) is added. The year table snapshots the balance at each birthday. Today’s dollars divides the final balance by (1 + inflation)years to show its buying power in money you can picture now. If you set a goal, the verdict compares the projection with it and estimates the extra monthly saving that would close any gap at the same return.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I have saved by retirement?
A common yardstick is 25× your expected annual spending in retirement (the "4% rule"), but the right number depends on your lifestyle, other income like Social Security, and when you retire. Enter your own target as the goal above.
Why does starting early matter so much?
Because growth compounds on growth. $500 a month from age 35 at 7% becomes roughly $610,000 by 65; starting at 45 it becomes roughly $260,000 — the contributions halve, but the outcome falls by far more.
Should I count the employer match as my money?
Yes — it is part of your compensation, though it may vest over time. Never leave a match unclaimed by contributing less than the matched amount if you can avoid it; it is an instant 50–100% return.
What return should I assume?
Long-run US stock market returns have averaged around 10% a year before inflation, and balanced portfolios less. Many planners project 6–8% for a diversified portfolio. Try a low and a high assumption to see your range.
💰 What does your paycheck really net?
The Paycheck Calculator turns salary or hourly pay into gross-to-net estimates for every pay frequency.