Useful next calculations
When to use this calculator
- Before choosing between saving, investing or changing a contribution.
- When you want to compare cautious, base and optimistic return assumptions.
- When you need a projection before making a longer-term decision.
- When you want to see whether starting earlier or contributing more changes the outcome more.
A worked example
These are the example figures the calculator opens with.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Age | 30 |
| Retirement Age | 65 |
| Current Savings ($) | $10,000 |
| Monthly Contribution ($) | $500 |
For those figures the calculator returns:
- Retirement pot: $1,015,588.82
- Years to retire: 35.00
- Pot allocation per month (no drawdown growth): $4,231.62
Method & assumptions
Projects a nominal pot using monthly contributions at the end of each month and monthly compounding at the annual rate divided by 12. Explicit zero contributions or growth are supported. Retirement age must be at least current age.
The monthly allocation divides that pot equally over the years from retirement to the payout end age you choose. The end age is your planning assumption, not a prediction of life expectancy. It must be later than retirement age. No returns during drawdown, inflation, taxes, fees, State Pension, contribution tax relief or investment risk are modelled. This is not an annuity quote or a guaranteed sustainable income.
Common mistakes
- Using an assumption that is not supported by a current local quote, bill, statement or official source.
- Treating a generic estimate as a lender, provider, payroll or tax authority decision.
- Mixing monthly and annual inputs without converting them consistently.
- Testing only one scenario instead of checking how a cautious assumption changes the result.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a cautious assumption so you can see the downside clearly.
- Compare the result with the related calculators below before making a decision.
- Check current local rules, eligibility and provider terms before applying or committing money.
- Keep a record of the assumptions so you can update the estimate when a quote, bill or pay figure changes.