Retirement Gap Calculator
Are You on Track for Retirement?
Project your nest egg at retirement using your current savings, contributions, and return. Compares it to a target based on your desired income (using the 4% safe-withdrawal rule). Shows the gap and what monthly contribution would close it.
Your situation
Projected gap
$638,157
Close the gap with an extra $1,225/mo.
How to use this calculator
Enter your age, the age you want to retire, what you have saved, and what you add each month. Then enter the yearly income your savings will need to provide once you stop working.
One tip: subtract the Social Security and any pension you expect before you enter that income. The calculator only looks at savings, so leaving those in makes the gap look bigger than it is.
What the result means
The calculator grows your savings to your retirement age. Then it compares that number to a target based on the 4% rule of thumb, which is 25 times the yearly income you need. If your projection falls short, it shows the gap and the extra monthly amount that would close it.
The return you enter is a guess, not a promise. Run it more than once with a lower and a higher number to see a range.
What it does not include
- Taxes on the money you take out
- Rising prices after you retire
- Market ups and downs, especially in the first years of retirement
- Health costs and long-term care
- Account fees
Common questions
What is the 4% rule?
A rule of thumb from past market research. It says you can take about 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement, then adjust for rising prices, and have a good chance the money lasts about 30 years. It is a starting point, not a promise.
Should I include Social Security in the income I need?
No. Subtract it first. Enter only the income your savings must cover. Your Social Security statement on ssa.gov shows your estimated benefit.
What return should I enter?
Nobody knows what markets will do. Many people run the calculator a few times with different returns to see a cautious case and a hopeful case.
What if the calculator says I have a gap?
A gap is a signal, not a verdict. People close it by saving more, working a little longer, planning to spend less, or adding steady income sources. We can walk through what fits your situation.
Educational tool only. Not financial, tax, or legal advice. Estimates use standard assumptions and may not reflect your specific situation. Talk to a licensed professional before acting on results.