How much do I need to retire?

A common rule of thumb is 25× your desired annual retirement income (the 4% safe-withdrawal rule). For £30k/year, aim for a £750k pot. Adjust for state pension and other income.

Withdraw 4% of your pot in year one of retirement, then increase by inflation each year. Based on Bengen's 1994 study, this has historically lasted 30+ years across most market environments.

Should I include state pension?

Yes. UK New State Pension is £11,973/year (2026/27) for a full record; US Social Security averages ~$23k/year. Subtract this from your annual income target before applying the 25× rule.

🎯 Retirement Goal Tracker

Are you on track? Compare your projected pension pot against the pot needed to fund your target retirement income.

Currency

Current Age

Target Retirement Age

Annual Salary

Monthly Pension Contribution

Existing Pension Pot

Expected Annual Return (%)

Desired Retirement Income (per year)

⚠️ Illustrative only. Pension projections depend on market performance, charges and inflation. Not financial advice. Consult an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) or pension specialist.

About the Retirement Goal Tracker

The Retirement Goal Tracker answers one question: am I on track? It compares your projected pension pot at retirement against the pot you'd need to fund your target retirement income, and shows the gap — shortfall or surplus — instantly. For a more detailed projection with tax relief, employer match and salary growth, see the Pension Pot Calculator.

How the Projection Works

The calculator uses compound interest with monthly compounding to project your pension pot at retirement. It then applies the widely used 4% rule (also known as the Safe Withdrawal Rate) to estimate a sustainable monthly income from the pot, and works the rule in reverse to compute the pot required for your desired income. The 4% rule suggests that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio per year historically sustains a 30-year retirement in most market conditions.

Key Inputs Explained

Existing pension pot — any pension savings you already have accumulated
Monthly contribution — how much you (and your employer) contribute each month
Expected annual return — a typical assumption is 5–7% for a diversified portfolio, but this is not guaranteed
Desired retirement income — the annual income you want the pension to provide in today's money

Pot Required vs. Projected Pot

The tool shows the pot required to sustain your target income at a 4% withdrawal rate, alongside your projected pot. A positive surplus means you are on track; a shortfall means you may need to increase contributions, delay retirement, or adjust your income expectations.

Important Considerations

This projection does not account for inflation, tax relief on contributions, state pension entitlements, or pension provider charges. In practice, these factors can significantly affect outcomes. Speaking with a qualified independent financial adviser (IFA) can help you build a comprehensive retirement plan.

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Important Note: This tool is intended to provide estimates and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. Information generated by these calculators may be incomplete and does not account for all individual circumstances. Always seek the counsel of a certified expert (such as a financial advisor, healthcare provider, or licensed engineer) before taking action based on these results.

Related Calculators

Pension Pot Calculator — UK pension or US 401k retirement-pot projection with employer match and tax relief.
401(k) Calculator — US 401(k) projection with employer match, salary growth and 2026 IRS limits.
Social Security Calculator — Estimate your US Social Security benefit at 62, Full Retirement Age and 70.