AceCents

Retirement Savings Calculator

Will you have enough at retirement? Project your balance at any age and compare it against your income target using the 25x rule.

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yrs
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$
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In today's dollars

Projected balance

$1,188,181

Target needed

$1,200,000

Shortfall

$11,819

Increase contributions or retire later

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How much do you need to retire?

The most common retirement target is built on the 4% withdrawal rule: multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25. If you want $48,000/year in retirement, you need ~$1.2 million invested. This calculator shows whether you're on track.

The projection uses compound growth on both your existing savings and your ongoing contributions. It assumes consistent returns — in reality, markets fluctuate, but long-term averages tend to hold. The S&P 500 has averaged roughly 7% annually after inflation over the past century.

Tax-advantaged accounts first

If your employer offers a 401(k) match, contribute at least enough to capture it — that's an instant 50–100% return on that portion. After the match, max out a Roth IRA ($7,000/year for 2024 if under 50) before going back to the 401(k). The order matters for tax efficiency.

Starting later doesn't mean starting wrong

Beginning retirement savings at 40 instead of 25 is harder, but not impossible. Higher contributions, working slightly longer, or targeting a leaner retirement lifestyle can all close the gap. The worst thing you can do is delay further because the math seems daunting.