Retirement Savings Calculator
This retirement savings calculator helps you project a portfolio balance at retirement, estimate the nest egg needed to support a target retirement income, and approximate how long savings will last under configurable assumptions.
Use the different calculation methods to explore scenarios: projection from current savings and contributions, required nest egg for a target withdrawal rate, and an approximate sustainability check that accounts for inflation and real returns.
Governance
Record 00aee26ddb70 • Reviewed by Fidamen Standards Committee
Estimate the portfolio value at retirement from current savings and ongoing contributions assuming a constant nominal return.
Inputs
Results
Projected balance at retirement
—
Years until retirement
27
| Output | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Projected balance at retirement | — | USD |
| Years until retirement | 27 | years |
Visualization
Methodology
Projection method compounds current savings and future contributions using a constant nominal return and standard future value of a series formula. Contributions are treated as end‑of‑period deposits.
Required nest egg uses a simple withdrawal-rate approach: required nest egg = target annual income / withdrawal rate. This is a heuristic, not a guarantee of outcome.
Sustainability uses an annuity present‑value inversion to estimate years savings will support a constant net withdrawal given an expected real return. For zero or negative real returns the tool falls back to conservative, no‑return approximations.
F.A.Q.
How accurate are these projections?
Projections are approximations based on constant-rate assumptions and discrete compounding. They do not model market volatility, sequence-of-returns risk, taxes, fees, or changing spending patterns. Use results for planning and comparison, not as a precise forecast.
What is the safe withdrawal rate?
The safe withdrawal rate is a planning assumption representing a sustainable percentage of the portfolio to withdraw annually. Common starter assumptions are 3%–5%. It is not a guarantee and should be adjusted for longevity, market conditions, and personal risk tolerance.
Are taxes, fees, and required minimum distributions (RMDs) included?
No. This calculator does not model taxes, investment fees, or regulatory requirements like RMDs. Adjust inputs to approximate after-tax needs or consult a tax advisor for tailored modeling.
What inputs should I vary to test scenarios?
Run sensitivity checks by varying expected returns, inflation, contribution levels, retirement age, and withdrawal rate. Examine both optimistic and conservative assumptions to understand plan robustness.
Sources & citations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — https://www.nist.gov
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) — https://www.iso.org
- IEEE (software reliability and best practices) — https://www.ieee.org
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — https://www.osha.gov
- Social Security Administration — https://www.ssa.gov
- IRS Publication 590-B — Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements — https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b
- IRS Required Minimum Distribution Worksheets — https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/required-minimum-distribution-worksheets
- Social Security Administration — Retirement Benefits — https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/
Further resources
Versioning & Change Control
Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).
Record ID: 00aee26ddb70What changed (latest)
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-28 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Public QA status
PASS — golden 25 + edge 120
Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23
Versioning & Change Control
Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).
What changed (latest)
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-28 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Public QA status
PASS — golden 25 + edge 120
Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23
Engine
v1.0.0
Data
Baseline (no external datasets)
Content
v1.0.0
UI
v1.0.0
Governance
Last updated: Nov 28, 2025
Reviewed by: Fidamen Standards Committee (Review board)
Credentials: Internal QA
Risk level: low
Reviewer profile (entity)
Fidamen Standards Committee
Review board
Internal QA
Entity ID: https://fidamen.com/reviewers/fidamen-standards-committee#person
Semantic versioning
- MAJOR: Calculation outputs can change for the same inputs (formula, rounding policy, assumptions).
- MINOR: New features or fields that do not change existing outputs for the same inputs.
- PATCH: Bug fixes, copy edits, or accessibility changes that do not change intended outputs except for previously incorrect cases.
Review protocol
- Verify formulas and unit definitions against primary standards or datasets.
- Run golden-case regression suite and edge-case suite.
- Record reviewer sign-off with credentials and scope.
- Document assumptions, limitations, and jurisdiction applicability.
Assumptions & limitations
- Uses exact unit definitions from the Fidamen conversion library.
- Internal calculations use double precision; display rounding follows the unit's configured decimal places.
- Not a substitute for calibrated instruments in regulated contexts.
- Jurisdiction-specific rules may require official guidance.
Change log
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-28 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Areas: engine, content, ui • Reviewer: Fidamen Standards Committee • Entry ID: 4e14f8beda0a