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Retirement Savings Projection

Project how your current savings and monthly contributions could grow between now and retirement.

Projected at 65$574,145

Understanding this calculator

This projection shows the arc of your saving years: what you put in, what growth adds on top, and where the balance could land by your retirement date. The chart splits your projected balance into contributions and growth, which makes one thing obvious — in the early years the saving does the work, and in the later years compounding takes over.

The today's-dollars toggle answers a subtler question: what will that balance actually buy? A million dollars twenty years from now is not a million of today's dollars. Planning in real terms keeps your target honest.

Assumptions and methodology

  • Balances compound monthly at your chosen annual return, with contributions added at the end of each month.
  • The today's-dollars view discounts the projection by your inflation assumption.
  • Contributions are level; raises or contribution increases aren't automatic — rerun with different amounts to compare.
  • Investment fees and taxes are not modeled.

Last reviewed August 30, 2026. Year-specific figures show their tax or data year in the tool; data is reviewed when the IRS, SSA, and CMS publish annual updates.

Common questions

Should I look at nominal or today's dollars?

Use today's dollars to judge whether the outcome supports the lifestyle you know. Use nominal dollars when comparing against account statements or specific dollar targets.

What's a reasonable return to assume?

It depends on your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash. Many planners test a range — for example 4–5% conservative to 7–8% optimistic before inflation — rather than betting on one number.