Retirement Calculator by Age

Enter your age, savings and monthly contributions to project your nest egg at retirement and compare it with what you would need.

Quick answer

A retirement calculator by age projects your savings to retirement and compares them with the amount needed for your target income. At 40 with $150,000 saved and $1,500 a month at 6%, you would have about $1.96 million at 67. Funding $60,000 a year in today's money, inflated at 3%, would need about $3.33 million under the 4% rule.

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Projected savings at 67
$1,964,730
Savings needed
$3,331,934
Shortfall
$1,367,203
Sustainable yearly income
$78,589
In 27 years, your savings could reach $1,964,730. Your target income of $60,000 in today's money becomes $133,277 after 3% inflation, so at a 4% withdrawal rate you need about $3,331,934. You are short by $1,367,203 — saving more, retiring later, or a lower withdrawal target would close the gap.

Inputs are pre-filled with the example used on this page — change any number to see your own result. Built on our retirement calculator.

Key takeaways

  • Fidelity's guideline is to have saved about 1x your salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60 and 10x by 67.
  • The income target here is grown by inflation, so the savings needed are in future dollars.
  • Social Security and pensions reduce how much income your savings must provide.
4% rule — A rule of thumb that withdrawing about 4% of savings in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation, has historically lasted around 30 years.

Age-based milestones

Fidelity suggests aiming to have saved at least 1x your salary by age 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60 and 10x by 67. Those multiples assume saving about 15% of income from age 25 and that savings provide part of your retirement income alongside Social Security. Fidelity describes them as aspirational goalposts: your own target depends on when you retire and how you want to live.

Reading the result

The calculator's income target is the full income you want from savings. In the example, $60,000 in today's money becomes about $133,277 a year by 67 at 3% inflation, and 25 times that (the 4% rule) is about $3.33 million. If Social Security will cover part of your spending, enter only the remaining amount as desired income — the savings needed fall in proportion.

How the picture changes with age

Keeping the same 6% return, 3% inflation and $60,000 target, someone aged 30 with $30,000 saved and $600 a month would reach about $1.25 million at 67, while someone aged 50 with $400,000 saved and $2,000 a month would reach about $1.81 million. Starting earlier lets compounding do more of the work; starting later requires larger contributions.

Worked example

Projected savings: $150,000 grows for 27 years at 6% and $1,500 is added each month, giving about $1,964,730. Desired income in future dollars: $60,000 × 1.03^27 ≈ $133,277. Savings needed at 4%: $133,277 ÷ 0.04 ≈ $3,331,934.

Methodology and sources

Savings and monthly contributions compound monthly at the expected return until retirement. Desired income is inflated to the retirement year, and the savings needed equal that income divided by the withdrawal rate. Taxes, fees, Social Security and changes in contributions are not modelled. Investment returns are not guaranteed.

Sources: Fidelity – How much do I need to retire? · Investopedia – The 4% rule · Social Security Administration – Retirement benefits

Frequently asked questions

How much should I have saved for retirement by 40?

Fidelity's guideline is about 3x your annual salary by 40. It is a rough benchmark; your target depends on retirement age, lifestyle and other income.

Is the 4% rule still valid?

It is a widely used starting point based on historical US market returns. Some planners suggest a lower rate for early retirees or a flexible approach that adjusts spending in bad years.

Should I include Social Security?

Yes, indirectly. Subtract your expected benefit from your desired income, then enter the remainder. You can get a benefit estimate from the Social Security Administration.

What return should I assume?

Use a cautious long-term figure for your mix of investments and test a lower one too. Returns vary year to year and are never guaranteed.

Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice.

Written and reviewed by Muhammad Asif, founder of CalcPane · Formulas verified by automated tests · Updated