Retirement Compound Interest Calculator — How Much Will I Have?
Planning retirement? See exactly how much your current savings and monthly contributions will grow to by the time you stop working.
Compound Interest
How It Works
A 35-year-old with $50k saved, contributing $500/month at 7% returns, will have roughly $1.1M by age 65 — enough for a comfortable retirement.
The earlier you start, the less you need to save monthly. Starting at 25 vs 35 with the same monthly contribution roughly doubles your end nest egg.
Most advisors suggest 7% as a realistic long-term return (10% historical stock market minus ~3% inflation). Avoid using overly optimistic 10%+ numbers.
A common target is 10–12× your annual spending at retirement. If you spend $60k/year, aim for $600k–720k invested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What return rate should I use for retirement planning?
7% after inflation is the conservative baseline. 8% is reasonable for a balanced portfolio. Never plan on more than 8–9% for long-term projections.
How much do I need to retire at 65?
Multiply your desired annual retirement spending by 25 (the inverse of the 4% rule). $80k/year spending = $2M target. $50k/year = $1.25M.
Is compound interest enough for retirement?
Yes — compounding is the entire reason retirement works. Saving 15% of income from age 25 almost always reaches your target by 65. The problem is most people delay.