What return should I assume?

Long-run equity returns are often modelled at 6–8% nominal. Balanced portfolios sit lower. Adjust to match your actual asset mix and be conservative.

Does this include inflation?

No — the balance shown is in today's pounds but grown at a nominal rate. To see real growth, subtract expected inflation from the return before entering it.

Are employer contributions included?

Only if you add them into the monthly contribution figure. Include everything going into the pot — yours plus employer match.

Is the Retirement calculator free?

Yes — free to use, with no signup, no limits and no personal details required. The site is supported by advertising rather than subscriptions.

Is my data saved or sent anywhere?

No. Every calculation runs in your browser, so the numbers you type are never transmitted to us or stored on a server. Closing the tab discards them.

How accurate is the result?

The maths is exact for the inputs you give it. Accuracy in practice depends on those inputs matching your real situation — fees, rate changes and edge-case rules are the usual sources of difference. It is a planning tool, not financial advice.

Can I share or save my results?

Yes. Your inputs are stored in the page URL, so you can copy the link from the address bar (or use the share button) to bookmark a scenario or send it to someone else.

Retirement Calculator

Estimate the value of your retirement pot at your target retirement age.

Your details

Current age

Retirement age

Current savings

Monthly contribution

Expected annual return

Projected balance at retirement

£1,130,650

in 35 years

Total contributions

£230,000

Investment growth

£900,650

Balance by age

How this is calculated

This projection compounds monthly contributions at your assumed annual return until your target retirement age. Growth is nominal — not adjusted for inflation.

A common rule of thumb is a 4% withdrawal rate in retirement, so a final pot of £X supports roughly £X × 0.04 of annual income at the start.

Who this calculator is for

This is aimed at anyone weighing up borrowing, saving or investing decisions before committing to them. It is most useful when you are comparing offers side by side, testing how sensitive a plan is to a change in rate or term, or sanity-checking a figure a lender or adviser has quoted you.

Assumptions and accuracy

Results assume the interest rate you enter stays fixed for the whole term and that payments are made on schedule. Real products may carry arrangement fees, early-repayment charges, variable rates, or different compounding intervals, all of which change the total. Use this to compare options, then confirm the exact figures with the provider.

Frequently asked questions

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