Change any assumption and the projection updates as you type. This is a simple informational illustration — not a determination that you can or cannot retire.
Projected savings from age 58 to age 91, peaking near $1,289,415, with retirement at age 65. The table below lists every year.
The same plan, re-run with a single assumption moved at a time. It shows how sensitive the outcome is to figures nobody can know in advance.
| Scenario | Savings at retirement | Savings at age 92 | First shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your assumptionsAs entered | $1,289,415 | $569,703 | None projected |
| Return 1% lower4.5% annual return | $1,213,106 | $0 | Age 89 |
| Return 1% higher6.5% annual return | $1,370,039 | $1,815,042 | None projected |
| Inflation 1% higher3.5% annual inflation | $1,289,415 | $0 | Age 89 |
| Spend 10% less$6,300 a month in today's dollars | $1,289,415 | $1,334,085 | None projected |
| Retire two years laterRetire at 67 | $1,484,471 | $1,549,772 | None projected |
| Claim Social Security at 70Same monthly figure you entered, started later | $1,289,415 | $127,495 | None projected |
Hypothetical illustrations only. Each row changes one assumption and holds the rest constant; real markets, taxes, and spending do not move one at a time. These are hypothetical examples shown for illustrative purposes only, and are not guaranteed.
The same projection grouped into ten-year blocks, from age 58 through 92.
| Ages | Growth | Savings added | Social Security | Spending | Balance at end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50s | $86,089 | $48,000 | $0 | $0 | $884,089 |
| 60s | $628,783 | $120,000 | $129,059 | $524,842 | $1,237,088 |
| 70s | $668,265 | $0 | $506,261 | $1,265,653 | $1,145,961 |
| 80s | $545,540 | $0 | $648,057 | $1,620,143 | $719,415 |
| 90s | $75,203 | $0 | $149,944 | $374,859 | $569,703 |
| Age | Opening | Savings in | Soc. Sec. | Spending | One-time | Unfunded | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | $750,000 | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $815,250 |
| 59 | $815,250 | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $884,089 |
| 60 | $884,089 | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $956,714 |
| 61 | $956,714 | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $1,033,333 |
| 62 | $1,033,333 | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $1,114,166 |
| 63 | $1,114,166 | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $1,199,445 |
| 64 | $1,199,445 | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $1,289,415 |
| 65 | $1,289,415 | $0 | $0 | $99,850 | $0 | — | $1,260,483 |
| 66 | $1,260,483 | $0 | $0 | $102,346 | $0 | — | $1,227,464 |
| 67 | $1,227,464 | $0 | $41,962 | $104,904 | $0 | — | $1,232,032 |
| 68 | $1,232,032 | $0 | $43,011 | $107,527 | $0 | — | $1,235,277 |
| 69 | $1,235,277 | $0 | $44,086 | $110,215 | $0 | — | $1,237,088 |
| 70 | $1,237,088 | $0 | $45,188 | $112,971 | $0 | — | $1,237,346 |
| 71 | $1,237,346 | $0 | $46,318 | $115,795 | $0 | — | $1,235,923 |
| 72 | $1,235,923 | $0 | $47,476 | $118,690 | $0 | — | $1,232,684 |
| 73 | $1,232,684 | $0 | $48,663 | $121,657 | $0 | — | $1,227,488 |
| 74 | $1,227,488 | $0 | $49,879 | $124,698 | $0 | — | $1,220,181 |
| 75 | $1,220,181 | $0 | $51,126 | $127,816 | $0 | — | $1,210,601 |
| 76 | $1,210,601 | $0 | $52,405 | $131,011 | $0 | — | $1,198,577 |
| 77 | $1,198,577 | $0 | $53,715 | $134,287 | $0 | — | $1,183,927 |
| 78 | $1,183,927 | $0 | $55,058 | $137,644 | $0 | — | $1,166,457 |
| 79 | $1,166,457 | $0 | $56,434 | $141,085 | $0 | — | $1,145,961 |
| 80 | $1,145,961 | $0 | $57,845 | $144,612 | $0 | — | $1,122,222 |
| 81 | $1,122,222 | $0 | $59,291 | $148,227 | $0 | — | $1,095,007 |
| 82 | $1,095,007 | $0 | $60,773 | $151,933 | $0 | — | $1,064,073 |
| 83 | $1,064,073 | $0 | $62,293 | $155,731 | $0 | — | $1,029,158 |
| 84 | $1,029,158 | $0 | $63,850 | $159,625 | $0 | — | $989,987 |
| 85 | $989,987 | $0 | $65,446 | $163,615 | $0 | — | $946,267 |
| 86 | $946,267 | $0 | $67,082 | $167,706 | $0 | — | $897,689 |
| 87 | $897,689 | $0 | $68,759 | $171,898 | $0 | — | $843,923 |
| 88 | $843,923 | $0 | $70,478 | $176,196 | $0 | — | $784,621 |
| 89 | $784,621 | $0 | $72,240 | $180,601 | $0 | — | $719,415 |
| 90 | $719,415 | $0 | $74,046 | $185,116 | $0 | — | $647,913 |
| 91 | $647,913 | $0 | $75,897 | $189,743 | $0 | — | $569,703 |
See how a hypothetical amount would have changed in each index over a past period, using actual calendar-year returns from 1972 through 2025. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Total you put in
$10,000
2000–2025, 26 years
S&P 500 value at end of 2025
$75,285
Average +8.07% a year
Nasdaq value at end of 2025
$57,118
Average +6.93% a year
| Year | S&P 500 return | S&P 500 balance | Nasdaq return | Nasdaq balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | -9.10% | $9,090 | -39.29% | $6,071 |
| 2001 | -11.89% | $8,009 | -21.05% | $4,793 |
| 2002 | -22.10% | $6,239 | -31.53% | $3,282 |
| 2003 | +28.68% | $8,029 | +50.01% | $4,923 |
| 2004 | +10.88% | $8,902 | +8.59% | $5,346 |
| 2005 | +4.91% | $9,339 | +1.37% | $5,419 |
| 2006 | +15.79% | $10,814 | +9.52% | $5,935 |
| 2007 | +5.49% | $11,407 | +9.81% | $6,517 |
| 2008 | -37.00% | $7,187 | -40.54% | $3,875 |
| 2009 | +26.46% | $9,088 | +43.89% | $5,576 |
| 2010 | +15.06% | $10,457 | +16.91% | $6,519 |
| 2011 | +2.11% | $10,678 | -1.80% | $6,402 |
| 2012 | +16.00% | $12,386 | +15.91% | $7,420 |
| 2013 | +32.39% | $16,398 | +38.32% | $10,263 |
| 2014 | +13.69% | $18,643 | +13.40% | $11,639 |
| 2015 | +1.38% | $18,900 | +5.73% | $12,306 |
| 2016 | +11.96% | $21,161 | +7.50% | $13,229 |
| 2017 | +21.83% | $25,780 | +28.24% | $16,964 |
| 2018 | -4.38% | $24,651 | -3.88% | $16,306 |
| 2019 | +31.49% | $32,413 | +35.23% | $22,051 |
| 2020 | +18.40% | $38,377 | +43.64% | $31,674 |
| 2021 | +28.71% | $49,395 | +21.39% | $38,449 |
| 2022 | -18.11% | $40,450 | -33.10% | $25,722 |
| 2023 | +26.29% | $51,084 | +43.42% | $36,891 |
| 2024 | +25.02% | $63,865 | +28.64% | $47,456 |
| 2025 | +17.88% | $75,285 | +20.36% | $57,118 |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Figures are hypothetical and shown for illustrative purposes only. They do not reflect any specific product or investments, nor do they reflect the deduction of investment fees or taxes, which will reduce the figures shown here. Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly.
Returns are calendar-year, year-end to year-end. Monthly additions are assumed to earn about half of each year's return. Sources: S&P Dow Jones Indices and NYU Stern School of Business historical S&P 500 data; Nasdaq, Inc. year-end Nasdaq Composite levels.
Published federal figures you can use as reference points for your own assumptions. They are general information, not a recommendation, and they do not change how this calculator works.
| Figure | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), TSP elective deferrals | $24,500 | $23,500 |
| Age 50+ catch-up in those plans | $8,000 | $7,500 |
| Higher catch-up, ages 60–63 | $11,250 | $11,250 |
| Traditional and Roth IRA contribution | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| IRA catch-up, age 50+ | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Total defined-contribution additions (Section 415(c)) | $72,000 | $70,000 |
| SIMPLE plan elective deferrals | $17,000 | $16,500 |
Source: Internal Revenue Service, cost-of-living adjustments for 2026 (Notice 2025-67). irs.gov
| Figure | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) | 2.8% | 2.5% |
| Maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax | $184,500 | $176,100 |
| Earnings test, under full retirement age all year | $24,480 | $23,400 |
| Earnings test, the year you reach full retirement age | $65,160 | $62,160 |
| Earnings needed for one credit (four per year maximum) | $1,890 | $1,810 |
| Maximum benefit claimed at full retirement age | $4,152 / month | $4,018 / month |
| Estimated average retired-worker benefit | $2,071 / month | $2,015 / month |
Source: Social Security Administration 2026 cost-of-living announcement and the agency's annual determinations notice. ssa.gov
For anyone born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. Claiming earlier permanently reduces the monthly benefit; delaying past full retirement age increases it until age 70. This calculator uses the monthly figure you enter, at the age you choose.
Social Security AdministrationUnder current law, required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts generally begin at age 73, rising to 75 for later birth years. Withdrawals are usually taxable. This illustration does not model taxes or required distributions.
Internal Revenue ServiceYour personal benefit estimate is available in your my Social Security account, and your current balances and contribution rates come from your plan and account statements. Using your own figures makes this illustration far more useful than generic averages.
my Social SecurityFigures are as published by the issuing agencies for the years shown and can change. Links to third-party sites are provided for convenience; we are not responsible for their content.
Figures are hypothetical and shown for illustrative purposes only. They do not reflect any specific product or investments, nor do they reflect the deduction of investment fees or taxes, which will reduce the figures shown here. These are hypothetical examples shown for illustrative purposes only, and are not guaranteed. Results are not personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Market returns vary and investments can lose value. No strategy guarantees a result. Small changes to inputs and assumptions can materially change outcomes. The Social Security figure is the amount you entered; it is not an eligibility or benefits calculation. Taxes, pensions, spouse-specific benefits, market volatility, and sequence-of-returns risk are not individually modeled. A result with no shortfall does not guarantee that savings will last.
