Project your savings.
One of the advanced-planning tools provided by the firm. Estimate how much retirement savings will grow between now and retirement age. Enter the current balance, monthly contributions, and expected return to see a year-by-year projection with optional inflation adjustment.
| Age | Contributed | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | $12,000 | $118,503 |
| 42 | $12,000 | $138,148 |
| 43 | $12,000 | $159,004 |
| 44 | $12,000 | $181,147 |
| 45 | $12,000 | $204,655 |
| 46 | $12,000 | $229,613 |
| 47 | $12,000 | $256,111 |
| 48 | $12,000 | $284,243 |
| 49 | $12,000 | $314,110 |
| 50 | $12,000 | $345,819 |
| 51 | $12,000 | $379,484 |
| 52 | $12,000 | $415,225 |
| 53 | $12,000 | $453,171 |
| 54 | $12,000 | $493,457 |
| 55 | $12,000 | $536,228 |
| 56 | $12,000 | $581,637 |
| 57 | $12,000 | $629,847 |
| 58 | $12,000 | $681,030 |
| 59 | $12,000 | $735,370 |
| 60 | $12,000 | $793,061 |
| 61 | $12,000 | $854,311 |
| 62 | $12,000 | $919,339 |
| 63 | $12,000 | $988,377 |
| 64 | $12,000 | $1,061,674 |
| 65 | $12,000 | $1,139,491 |
Producers contracted through the firm use this tool as an input to case design rather than as a standalone answer. When the number here changes the shape of a case, bring it to the case design desk and we will work it through with you and the client's CPA or attorney. Request a conversation.
How retirement projections work
A retirement projection takes what you have today, adds what you plan to contribute over time, and applies an assumed rate of return to estimate a future balance. This calculator applies your expected annual return monthly and adds your monthly contribution at the end of each period, which is the standard ordinary annuity treatment used in most financial planning software.
The output is a single dollar figure at your target retirement age alongside a year-by-year table so you can see how the balance grows, how much of it came from your own contributions, and how much came from investment growth.
The power of compounding
Compounding is the reason time in the market usually matters more than trying to time the market. In year one a 6% return on $100,000 adds $6,000. In year two the same 6% is applied to $106,000 and adds $6,360. Twenty years in, the annual growth is many multiples of the first-year figure, and by year thirty the growth in a single year can exceed all of the contributions made across the first decade. Small increases in the assumed return, or a few extra years of compounding, produce dramatically different ending balances.
Why the return assumption matters
The single input that moves the ending balance the most is the assumed annual return. A diversified portfolio has historically returned somewhere in the 6% to 8% range nominally over long horizons, but there is no guarantee that the next thirty years will look like the last thirty. Many planners test at least two assumptions, a base case around 5% to 6% and a conservative case around 3% to 4%, and then check whether the plan still works if the conservative case is closer to reality.
Contributions vs growth over time
Early in a savings journey almost every dollar in the balance came from a contribution. That flips over time. For a saver in their forties starting with a healthy balance, growth typically overtakes contributions within a decade. By the time retirement is close, growth can account for two thirds or more of the balance. This is why cutting contributions late in the accumulation phase often has a smaller effect than most people expect, while cutting them early has an outsized effect.
Inflation and real purchasing power
A projected balance in nominal dollars overstates the standard of living it can support if inflation is ignored. At 2.5% annual inflation, a dollar today is worth about 48 cents in 30 years. Turn the inflation adjustment on to view the projection in today's dollars. Real balances still grow when your return exceeds inflation, but the curve is noticeably flatter.
General guidance, not personalized advice
This calculator is designed for education and quick scenario modeling. It does not consider taxes, fees, Social Security, pensions, sequence-of-returns risk, or the specifics of any real portfolio. Treat the number it produces as a rough estimate and, for anything real, work with a qualified professional who can incorporate your full picture.
How much do I need to retire?+
What return should I assume?+
How does compounding work?+
Should I adjust for inflation?+
How much should I contribute?+
This is an educational tool, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Results depend on the inputs you provide and the assumptions documented above. Consult a qualified professional before acting.