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Continue your plan
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 realistic South Africa planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Age | 35 |
| Retirement Age | 35 |
| Current Savings (R) | R15,000 |
| Monthly Contribution (R) | R250 per month |
After entering these figures, review retirement pot, years to retire and est. monthly income together rather than in isolation. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted.
How to read your results
Retirement Pot
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Years to Retire
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Est. Monthly Income
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
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.
Frequently asked
The 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your pension pot in year one and rising with inflation after that, giving roughly 30 years of income from a diversified equity/bond portfolio based on historical data. UK-specific research (Morningstar, 2024) suggests 3.5% is safer given lower bond yields and longer lifespans.
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