Updated
Using Retirement calculator
Monthly rate r = (1 + annual return)^(1/12) − 1. Balance = initial × (1 + r)^n + monthly contribution × ((1 + r)^n − 1)/r; use n contributions when r = 0. Divide by (1 + inflation)^(n/12) for today’s purchasing power.
Contributions arrive at month-end. Years are rounded to the nearest month. Annual return is effective, converted to a monthly rate. Inflation is constant. This projects savings, not a sustainable withdrawal rate. Fixed assumptions only: no taxes, fees, changing returns, guarantees or product eligibility. Amounts share one currency.
A worked example
Example inputs: saved now = 10000, monthly contribution = 100, years until retirement = 10, annual effective return (%) = 0, annual inflation (%) = 0. Projected retirement balance = 22000.
Before you use the result
Contributions arrive at month-end. Years are rounded to the nearest month. Annual return is effective, converted to a monthly rate. Inflation is constant. This projects savings, not a sustainable withdrawal rate. Fixed assumptions only: no taxes, fees, changing returns, guarantees or product eligibility. Amounts share one currency.
Example results for saved now
These examples use Monthly contribution: 100; Years until retirement: 10; Annual effective return (%): 0; Annual inflation (%): 0. They are reference calculations, not recommended settings.
| Saved now | Projected retirement balance |
|---|---|
| 5000 | 17,000.00 |
| 10000 | 22,000.00 |
| 20000 | 32,000.00 |
Cite this page
ToolOctopus. “Retirement calculator.” Updated 2026-09-26. https://tooloctopus.com/retirement-calculator.
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