Retirement Savings Calculator 2026
Tax year 2026 · Figures verified
Project your 401(k) or IRA balance at retirement, including employer match and raises, and check it against the nest egg you need for the income you want. Results are shown in future dollars and in today's dollars.
Your details
2026 limit $24,500
e.g. 50 for a 50% match
From savings only, excluding Social Security or pensions.
4% is the traditional rule of thumb.
Results
Retiring at 65 with $50,000 saved today and $10,400 a year going in, you would have about $2,642,923 ($1,113,651 in today's dollars). To draw $60,000 a year in today's dollars at a 4% withdrawal rate you need about $3,559,808, so you are short by about $916,885.
Projected balance at 65
$2,642,923
about $1,113,651 in today's dollars
Short by about $916,885. You need about $3,559,808 at retirement ($1,500,000 in today's dollars) for $60,000 a year.
- Years to retirement
- 35
- Saved per year now
- $10,400
- $8,000 you + $2,400 employer
| Age | Balance | Today's $ |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | $135,384 | $119,660 |
| 40 | $265,534 | $207,435 |
| 45 | $460,125 | $317,700 |
| 50 | $747,017 | $455,883 |
| 55 | $1,165,590 | $628,709 |
| 60 | $1,771,434 | $844,518 |
| 65 | $2,642,923 | $1,113,651 |
How the projection works
Each year the calculator adds your contribution (salary × your percentage) and your employer's match (up to the cap), grows the balance monthly at your assumed return, then raises your salary. The target nest egg is your desired income divided by the withdrawal rate, in today's dollars, then inflated to the year you retire so the two numbers are comparable.
Assumptions worth questioning
- Return. 7% is a common long-run assumption for a stock-heavy portfolio before fees. Try 5% to see a conservative case.
- Sequence risk. A steady return every year is a simplification; real markets deliver the average unevenly, which matters most in the years right before and after retirement.
- Other income. Social Security, a pension, or part-time work reduce how much your savings must supply. Enter only the income you need from savings.
- Taxes. Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as income; Roth withdrawals are not. The projection is pre-tax.
Use the paycheck calculator to see how raising your contribution percentage changes your take-home pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I have saved for retirement by age?
A common benchmark (used by Fidelity and others) is 1× your salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 8× by 60, and 10× by 67. These assume you save about 15% of income including any employer match and retire at 67. Your own target depends on the income you want and when you stop working.
What is the 4% rule?
A guideline that a retiree can withdraw 4% of a diversified portfolio in the first year, then adjust for inflation, with a high probability of the money lasting 30 years. It implies you need about 25 times your desired annual withdrawal. Some planners now suggest 3.5% for longer retirements or lower expected returns.
What are the 2026 401(k) contribution limits?
For 2026, employees can contribute up to $24,500 to a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457 plan, plus a $8,000 catch-up contribution at age 50 or older (a higher catch-up applies at ages 60 to 63). Employer contributions do not count toward the employee limit.
Should I contribute enough to get the full employer match?
Almost always yes. A 50% match on the first 6% of salary is an immediate 50% return on that money, before any market growth. Contribute at least the matched percentage before directing savings anywhere else that lacks a match.
Why does the calculator show both nominal and today's dollars?
Salaries, contributions, and returns are projected in future (nominal) dollars, which look large. Dividing by cumulative inflation converts the balance to today's purchasing power so you can compare it to your current expenses. The target nest egg is set in today's dollars and inflated to the retirement year for the on-track check.
Data sources & last verified
Last verified · Tax year 2026
- IRS Notice 2025-67, 2026 retirement plan limits ($24,500 elective deferral; $8,000 catch-up age 50+) (opens in new tab) Retrieved · effective January 1, 2026
We re-check these figures when agencies publish updates and at least quarterly. See our data policy for how corrections are handled, or report an error.