Retirement "Am I On Track?" Estimator
Put in your numbers and see an honest picture of where you're headed. No judgment, just math. Based on the 4% rule, this estimator projects your balance at retirement and tells you exactly how much more you'd need to save each month to close any gap. Most people are closer than they think.
Your timeline
37 years to retirement. Compound growth has significant time to work.
Current savings & contributions
401(k), IRA, Roth, etc. combined
All accounts combined, before match
Expected annual return
Historical US stock market average: ~10% nominal, ~7% after inflation. Lower assumptions are safer for planning.
Retirement income goal
Check ssa.gov for your estimate. Set to 0 if unsure.
Your savings need to provide $2,500/month ($30,000/year). The rest comes from Social Security.
Projected balance at age 67
You'll have
$1,379,018
Target (4% rule)
$750,000
$30,000/yr × 25
You're on track, projected to exceed your target by $629,018.
Keep going. Consider increasing contributions as your income grows. Each extra $100/month compounded over 37 years adds $209,654.
The 4% rule explained
Research suggests that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjusting for inflation each year, has historically lasted 30+ years across most market conditions. So if you need $30,000/year from your savings, you need $30,000 × 25 = $750,000 saved. This is a planning benchmark, not a guarantee. Sequence of returns, taxes, and life expectancy all affect real-world outcomes.
What you can actually change
Monthly contribution — The single highest-impact lever. At 30+ years to retirement, each extra $100/month compounds into roughly $209,654 at retirement.
Retirement age — Working 3 more years adds both contributions and reduces the number of years your savings need to last. The combined effect is significant.
Income goal — Most people spend 70–80% of their pre-retirement income in retirement. If your goal feels too high, revisit whether it reflects your actual expected expenses.
Your next step
You're on track. Keep going — and increase contributions as your income grows.
Every raise is an opportunity to increase your contribution rate before you get used to the higher income. Even 1% more per year adds up to a meaningfully different retirement.
Uses a fixed nominal return rate and constant monthly contributions. Does not account for inflation adjustments to contributions, employer match, RMDs, taxes on withdrawals, or changing return rates. For personalized retirement planning, consult a fee-only financial advisor.
Ready to take action?
Start saving and investing
Emergency fund first, then 401(k) match, then everything else.