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US Retirement Calculator 2025 - 401(k), Roth IRA & Social Security

Project your retirement corpus from current savings and monthly contributions. Inflation-adjusted target with safe withdrawal income.

Corpus at retirement
$1,719,009.77
Short $465,526.45

In today's money. We inflate it to your retirement year automatically.

4% is the standard (Trinity Study). Use 3.5% to be conservative.

Corpus at retirement
$1,719,009.77
Shortfall of $465,526.45
Required corpus
$2,184,536.22
At 4% withdrawal
Projected monthly income
$5,730.03
Inflation-adjusted expenses
$87,381.45
At retirement
Required monthly to hit goal
$1,310.29
Currently saving $1,000.00

Portfolio growth to retirement

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How to use the US Retirement Calculator 2025 - 401(k), Roth IRA & Social Security

  1. 1

    Enter your inputs

    Fill in the required fields at the top of the retirement calculator. Each input shows a default placeholder so you can see the expected format and units before you type.

  2. 2

    Adjust assumptions and options

    Use the toggles, sliders and dropdowns to tailor the calculation to your situation — currency, country, time period, advanced options and any optional fields all change the result in real time.

  3. 3

    Review the result

    The result card updates instantly as you type. Read the headline number, then check the breakdown, chart and any per-period schedule to understand how the inputs combined to produce the answer.

  4. 4

    Compare scenarios

    Change one input at a time to see how sensitive the result is to that variable. This is how you build intuition: small changes that move the answer a lot are the levers that matter.

  5. 5

    Share or save your result

    Copy the shareable link to send the exact scenario to someone else, or use your browser to print or save the page. The URL preserves every input so the recipient sees the same answer you do.

What this calculator does

US retirement planning involves three pillars: Social Security (replaces ~40% of pre-retirement income for the median worker), employer-sponsored plans (401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP), and personal savings (IRAs, taxable brokerage, HSA used as a "stealth IRA"). The math has two phases: accumulation (growing corpus via contributions + employer match + investment returns) and distribution (withdrawing at a sustainable rate while remaining corpus continues to grow). The 4% rule from the Trinity Study (1998) says you can withdraw 4% of starting corpus, adjusted annually for inflation, with 95%+ probability of lasting 30 years on a 60/40 stock/bond portfolio. So $1M supports $40,000/year of starting retirement income; reaching the US median household retirement spending of ~$60K requires $1.5M. Healthcare adds materially - Fidelity estimates a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2024 needs $330,000 (in 2024 dollars) for healthcare in retirement on top of Medicare.

Formula

Corpus = S * (1 + r)^t + P * [((1 + i)^n - 1) / i] * (1 + i)
Corpus
Projected retirement nest egg at retirement age
S
Current retirement savings (401(k) + IRA + brokerage)
r
Annual expected pre-retirement return (typically 7-9% for diversified equity)
t
Years until retirement = retirement age - current age
P
Monthly contribution (yours + employer match)
i
Monthly rate = r / 12
n
Total months = t * 12

Two terms: (1) lumpsum compounding on existing savings, (2) annuity future-value on ongoing monthly contributions including employer match. Sustainable annual withdrawal = Corpus * 0.04 (the 4% rule). Target corpus is computed by inflating desired retirement income (in today's dollars) for t years at CPI, then dividing by 0.04. Subtract estimated Social Security present value from target before solving for the gap. Critical: contributions to traditional 401(k) and traditional IRA are pre-tax (lower current tax, but withdrawals taxed as ordinary income). Roth contributions are post-tax (no deduction, but withdrawals are tax-free including all gains).

Worked examples

Example: 30-year-old earning $80K, $20K saved, retire at 65

Age 30, current 401(k) $20K, salary $80K, contributing 10% ($667/month) with 5% employer match (additional $333/month) = $1,000/month total.

Pre-retirement return 8%, post-retirement 5%, inflation 3%, target retirement income $60K/year (today's dollars).

Years t = 35 Existing $20K * (1.08)^35 ~ $295K SIP $1,000/month at 8% for 35 years ~ $2.30M Projected corpus ~ $2.60M

Target: $60K * (1.03)^35 = $169K/year nominal at age 65. At 4% SWR = $4.22M target. Subtract estimated Social Security PV: a worker earning $80K can expect ~$30K/year SS at FRA (67), present-valued ~$650K. Net target ~$3.57M.

Result: Projected $2.60M vs $3.57M net target = ~$970K shortfall. Solutions: increase 401(k) contribution to 15% (max the match plus more), delay retirement to 67 (Full Retirement Age), or accept lower retirement income (~$45K/year today). Maxing the 401(k) at $23,500/yr instead of $8K closes the gap entirely.

Example: 50-year-old maxing out at catch-up limits

Age 50, current 401(k) $400K, Roth IRA $80K, salary $150K. Maxing both: $23,500 + $7,500 catch-up = $31K to 401(k); $7,000 + $1,000 catch-up = $8K to Roth IRA. Total $39K/year = $3,250/month.

Pre-retirement return 7% (more conservative at this age), 15 years to retirement at 65.

Existing $480K * (1.07)^15 ~ $1.32M SIP $3,250/month at 7% for 15 years ~ $1.03M Projected corpus ~ $2.35M

Target $80K * (1.03)^15 = $124K/year at age 65; 25x = $3.10M target. Subtract SS PV (~$650K for higher earners) = $2.45M net target.

Result: Projected $2.35M vs net $2.45M target - nearly on track. A 1-year delay to 66 closes the small remaining gap. Note: 50+ catch-up contributions are powerful. The extra $8,500/year over 15 years adds roughly $215K to the final corpus.

Common use cases

  • Determining if your current 401(k) contribution rate puts you on pace to retire at 65, 67 (FRA), or earlier
  • Calculating how much more to save to make up a projected shortfall
  • Comparing traditional 401(k) vs Roth 401(k) elections based on current vs expected retirement tax rate
  • Modelling the impact of capturing the full 5% employer match vs leaving money on the table
  • Determining when to start Social Security - claiming at 62 vs 67 vs 70 changes lifetime benefits by 76%+
  • Stress-testing FIRE plans (Financial Independence Retire Early) using a more conservative 3.3-3.5% SWR for 40+ year retirements
  • Sequencing withdrawals across taxable, traditional and Roth accounts for tax efficiency
  • Modelling Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73 (or 75 if born 1960+)

What affects the result

  • Time horizon - 35 years of compounding at 8% turns $1 into $15; 20 years turns it into $4.66
  • Employer match - typically 50% of first 6% of salary or 100% of first 3-5%; never leave the match on the table
  • Pre-retirement return - 7-9% nominal for diversified equity portfolios; 5-7% for 60/40; 8-10% for 100% equity (more volatile)
  • Inflation - US CPI averages ~3% long-term; healthcare and college inflation runs 5-7%; medical CPI is the biggest retiree-specific risk
  • Withdrawal rate - 4% for 30-year retirements; 3.3-3.5% for 40+ years; recent research suggests 3.7-3.8% for current bond yields
  • Social Security - claim at 62 (~70% of FRA benefit), 67 (FRA, 100%), or 70 (124% via delayed retirement credits)
  • Healthcare - Medicare doesn't cover everything; Part B premiums + supplemental insurance + Part D drugs + dental + long-term care add up
  • Sequence-of-returns risk - poor returns in first 5 years of retirement can permanently damage corpus longevity
  • Tax-advantaged account mix - traditional vs Roth balance affects flexibility and lifetime tax bill

Tips

  • Save 15% of gross income starting age 25 - sufficient for most workers to retire comfortably at 65
  • Capture the full 401(k) match before anything else - it's a 100% instant return
  • Use tax-advantaged accounts in this priority order: 401(k) match -> HSA (if HDHP) -> Roth IRA -> 401(k) -> taxable brokerage
  • Increase 401(k) contribution by 1% every year automatically (most plans offer this) so savings rate rises silently
  • Use Roth 401(k) for the contribution while you're in the 22% bracket or below; switch to traditional in the 24%+ brackets
  • Roll over old 401(k)s to an IRA at job changes for lower fees and broader investment selection (with care for backdoor Roth eligibility)
  • Take advantage of the HSA as a "stealth IRA" - max it and pay current medical bills out-of-pocket while the HSA grows
  • Delay Social Security to 70 if you have other income - the 8%/year increase is essentially a 124% larger benefit vs claiming at 62
  • Build a 2-3 year cash bucket near retirement so you don't sell equities in a crash
  • Re-run this calculator annually and adjust - small course corrections at 35 are far easier than large ones at 60

Mistakes to avoid

  • Not capturing the full employer 401(k) match - immediate 100% return on those dollars, the best deal in finance
  • Choosing traditional 401(k) blindly when your retirement tax rate will likely be higher than current (favoring Roth)
  • Cashing out a 401(k) when changing jobs - 10% penalty + ordinary income tax destroys 30-40% of the balance
  • Carrying high-fee actively managed funds - a 1% TER drag eats roughly 18-25% of final corpus over 30 years vs index funds
  • Starting Social Security at 62 without need - each year of deferral adds ~8% to lifetime benefit; valuable longevity insurance
  • Ignoring HSA as a retirement vehicle - triple tax advantage; after age 65 withdrawals work like traditional IRA
  • Underestimating healthcare costs - Fidelity's $330K estimate excludes long-term care which averages $108K/yr in 2024
  • Failing to rebalance - drift into 80%+ equity in your 60s exposes you to sequence-of-returns risk at the worst time
  • Not planning for RMDs - starting at age 73, forced distributions can push you into higher tax brackets unexpectedly
  • Treating Social Security as guaranteed at full level - trust fund depletion projected for 2033 without legislation may force ~23% benefit cut

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire in the US?

25x your annual retirement spending is the standard rule (inverse of the 4% rule). For $60K/year spending you need $1.5M. For early retirement (40+ year horizon) use 28-30x. The median pre-retiree target is $1.5-2.5M depending on lifestyle, location and Social Security expectations.

What is the 4% rule?

From the Trinity Study (1998): withdraw 4% of starting portfolio in year 1, adjust annually for inflation, with 95%+ probability of lasting 30 years on a 60/40 stock/bond mix. Updated research (Morningstar 2023) suggests 3.7-3.8% for current market valuations and 3.3% for 40+ year retirements. Use 4% as a planning anchor and stress-test at 3.5%.

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?

At minimum, enough to capture the full employer match - typically 5-6% of salary. Ideal: 15% of gross including the match, max if affordable ($23,500 in 2025; +$7,500 catch-up at 50+). The 2025 IRS combined limit (employee + employer) is $70,000; $77,500 at 50+.

Roth vs traditional 401(k) - which is better?

Traditional 401(k): contribute pre-tax, pay ordinary income tax on withdrawals. Best when your current tax rate is higher than your expected retirement rate. Roth 401(k): contribute post-tax, withdrawals are tax-free including all gains. Best when your current tax rate is lower than retirement (typical for younger / lower-income workers, anyone expecting tax rates to rise generally, anyone wanting a large tax-free pot). Most people benefit from having some of each for withdrawal flexibility.

When should I take Social Security?

Earliest claim age is 62 (~70% of Full Retirement Age benefit). FRA is 67 for anyone born 1960+. Delayed retirement credits add ~8%/year up to age 70 (124% of FRA). Break-even age between claiming at 62 vs 67 is around age 78; vs 70 is around age 80. If you expect to live past 80 and have other income, delaying maximizes lifetime benefit. If you have poor health or need the income, claim earlier.

Can I retire at 50? At 45?

Yes, with a high savings rate. The math: years to FI ~= -ln(1 - SWR * (1+r)/(SR * r)) / ln(1+r). At 50% savings rate and 5% real return, you reach FI in ~17 years from zero. At 65% savings rate, ~11 years. This is the basis of FIRE. Healthcare bridge to Medicare at 65 is the biggest planning challenge for early retirees - ACA marketplace coverage runs $500-1,500/month per person depending on subsidy eligibility.

Should I count on Social Security?

Yes, but with a margin of safety. Social Security currently replaces ~40% of pre-retirement income for the median worker. The trust fund is projected to deplete in 2033-2034 without legislative action, which could trigger a ~23% benefit cut. For pre-retirees under 45, model in 75-85% of projected benefits as a conservative planning assumption. For those over 55, current law benefits are essentially guaranteed.

What about healthcare in retirement?

Medicare starts at 65 - Part A (hospital, free), Part B (~$175/mo premium 2024), Part D (drugs, ~$35/mo + drug costs). Medigap supplemental insurance runs $150-300/mo. Fidelity's 2024 estimate: a 65-year-old couple needs $330K (in 2024 dollars) for healthcare in retirement on top of Medicare. For pre-65 retirees, ACA marketplace plans + cost-sharing depend heavily on income; many early retirees keep their AGI low specifically to qualify for ACA premium tax credits.

What is the catch-up contribution at 50+?

IRS allows additional contributions at age 50+: $7,500 catch-up for 401(k)/403(b)/457/TSP and $1,000 catch-up for IRA in 2025. Plus SECURE Act 2.0 introduces a "super catch-up" of $11,250 (instead of $7,500) for ages 60-63 starting 2025 - use this if you're behind on retirement savings.

Last reviewed:

Sources & references

This calculator provides illustrative projections only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Retirement outcomes depend on many factors beyond the model (sequence of returns, healthcare, tax law changes, longevity, Social Security policy changes). Consult a CFP, CPA or licensed financial advisor for personalised guidance.

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