Retirement & Nest Egg Planner
Project your retirement savings, real purchasing power, and safe withdrawal amount.
Your nest egg appears here
Enter your retirement details and click Calculate.
Retirement Nest Egg Formula
Future Savings = Current × (1+r/12)ⁿ + Monthly × [(1+r/12)ⁿ−1] ÷ (r/12)
Safe Monthly Withdrawal = Nest Egg × 0.04 ÷ 12
Where r = annual return rate, n = months until retirement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4% withdrawal rule?
The 4% rule, from William Bengen's 1994 research, states you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year 1 (adjusted for inflation each year) and have a high probability of not outliving your money over 30 years.
How does inflation affect retirement?
Inflation erodes purchasing power. A $1M nest egg today buys far less in 30 years. This calculator shows both nominal and inflation-adjusted (real) values so you can plan accurately.
Is 7% return realistic?
The US S&P 500 has historically returned ~10% nominal (7% after inflation) over long periods. For a diversified portfolio, 6–7% nominal is a reasonable planning assumption, though past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Last reviewed: October 2024
Sources:
Bengen (1994) — 4% Withdrawal Rule· Trinity Study (1998)
The 4% rule is a guideline, not a guarantee. Consult a financial advisor for personalised retirement planning.