Pension Calculator

No. This calculator uses a steady annual return rate for projection purposes. Actual market returns fluctuate yearly and can be negative in some years. The 7% default is a commonly used long-term average for diversified stock portfolios (after inflation adjustment). Your actual results will vary based on market conditions and asset allocation.

No. The projection is pre-tax and pre-fee. To approximate after-fee returns, reduce the annual return by your expense ratio (e.g., use 6.5% instead of 7% if fees are 0.5%). For inflation-adjusted projections, use a real return rate (e.g., 4% to 5% instead of 7%).

Add your employer match to the monthly contribution field. For example, if you contribute $300/month and your employer matches 50%, enter $450/month as the total. Only include the match if it is fully vested.

This calculator works for any defined-contribution retirement account: US 401(k) and IRA, Canadian RRSP, Australian superannuation, UK workplace pensions, and similar plans worldwide. The math is the same; only the tax treatment and contribution limits differ by country.

Compound interest creates exponential growth. In early years, most of the balance comes from your contributions. In later years, the returns on your existing balance (which has grown large) generate more growth than your monthly contributions. This is why starting early has such a powerful effect on retirement savings.

You can. Look for the "Embed" button near the top of this calculator. It lets you pick a size, border style, and color palette, then gives you an iframe tag to paste into any webpage. The widget is responsive, loads fast, and costs nothing. More details at calculory.com/services/embed-calculators.