Retirement Calculator
Estimate a simplified retirement savings projection based on your inputs for contributions and expected returns.
Inputs
Result
Enter values on the left and select Calculate to see the result here.
What the Retirement Calculator does
- Creates a simplified retirement savings projection based on your inputs.
- Estimates projected retirement savings, total contributions, and total growth by your selected retirement age.
- Helps compare assumptions for current savings, monthly contributions, expected annual return, and time until retirement.
How to use the Retirement Calculator
- Select the display currency and enter your current age and planned retirement age.
- Enter current savings, monthly contribution, and an expected annual return assumption.
- Click Calculate to see an estimate based on your inputs, then adjust assumptions to compare scenarios.
- Use cautious assumptions: the calculator does not guarantee returns or replace regulated financial advice.
Formula / methodology used
- Uses monthly compounding based on the expected annual return rate you enter.
- Projects across the number of whole months between current age and retirement age.
- Adds the monthly contribution after each month of estimated growth.
- Outputs nominal values; inflation adjustment is not separately implemented.
Example calculation
Age 30, retire at 67, £20,000 currently saved, £300/month contribution, 5% expected annual return.
- Years to retirement = 67 − 30 = 37 years, or 444 months
- Monthly return assumption = 5% ÷ 12 = about 0.4167% per month
- Total contributions = £20,000 + (£300 × 444) = £153,200
- Apply monthly compounding to the starting balance and add £300 after each month
Result: The projection is about £510,858.87 at retirement, made up of £153,200.00 of contributions and about £357,658.87 of estimated growth.
Common mistakes and limitations
- The projection depends entirely on user-entered assumptions such as savings, contributions, expected return, and retirement age.
- It uses a constant annual return and does not model market volatility or sequence-of-returns risk.
- It does not include inflation, pension rules, employer matching, state pension, tax rules, fees, withdrawals, contribution limits, or personal financial circumstances unless explicitly shown in the inputs.
Important note
This retirement calculator is a simplified projection based on your inputs. It is not financial advice, does not guarantee future returns, and should not be the only basis for retirement decisions.
Retirement Calculator FAQs
Is this retirement calculator financial advice?
No. It is a simplified estimate for education and planning only. It is not personal financial, pension, tax, or investment advice.
Are future investment returns guaranteed?
No. The expected annual return is only an assumption you enter. Real investment returns can be higher or lower and may be negative in some periods.
Does it include inflation?
No separate inflation field is implemented. Results are nominal unless you manually adjust the expected return to approximate inflation.
Does it include pension rules, taxes, fees, or withdrawals?
No. It does not model state pension benefits, employer pension rules, contribution limits, tax relief, taxes on withdrawals, investment fees, required withdrawals, or personal circumstances.