How much do you actually need to retire comfortably? Enter your current age, monthly expenses and retirement age to see your future expense level, the corpus you need, and how much to save monthly to get there.
Formula
Future Monthly Expense = Current Expense × (1+inflation)^years-to-retire
Corpus Needed = Future Monthly Expense × 12 × Present Value Annuity Factor
Example: ₹40,000/month expenses today, 30 years to retirement, 6% inflation → future expense ≈ ₹2,29,740/month. To sustain this for 25 years post-retirement at 7% return, you'd need a corpus of roughly ₹6.11 crore.
Retirement Corpus at Different Current Ages
Assuming ₹40,000/month current expenses, retiring at 60, 6% inflation, 25 years post-retirement, 7% post-retirement return:
| Current Age | Years to Retire | Corpus Needed |
|---|
| 25 | 35 | ₹8.18 crore |
| 30 | 30 | ₹6.11 crore |
| 35 | 25 | ₹4.57 crore |
| 40 | 20 | ₹3.41 crore |
| 45 | 15 | ₹2.55 crore |
The earlier you start planning, the bigger your corpus target grows in nominal terms — but the monthly SIP needed to reach it shrinks dramatically thanks to compounding.
Why Starting Early Matters So Much
| Start Age | Years to Invest | Monthly SIP (12% return) |
|---|
| 25 | 35 | ₹12,597 |
| 30 | 30 | ₹17,321 |
| 35 | 25 | ₹24,077 |
| 40 | 20 | ₹34,170 |
To build roughly the same ₹4-6 crore corpus, someone starting at 25 invests less than half of what someone starting at 40 must invest monthly — even though the older starter has a smaller total target.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much retirement corpus do I need?
A common rule is 25-30 times your annual expenses at retirement. This calculator projects your future expenses (adjusted for inflation) and the corpus needed to sustain them for your expected post-retirement years.
What return should I assume for retirement planning?
A blended portfolio (equity + debt) commonly assumes 10-12% pre-retirement and 7-8% post-retirement returns as you shift to safer assets. Be conservative rather than optimistic in your assumptions.
Does this account for EPF, NPS or pension?
No — this calculator estimates the total corpus you personally need to build. If you expect EPF, NPS annuity or a pension, subtract their expected monthly value from your required corpus separately.
Is 6% a good inflation assumption for India?
India's long-term average retail inflation has hovered around 5-7%. Using 6% is a reasonable middle-ground planning assumption, though healthcare inflation specifically often runs higher.
What if I can't save the suggested monthly SIP?
Start with whatever you can afford and increase it annually with your income (a step-up SIP). Even a delayed but consistent start beats waiting for the "perfect" amount.
Should I include my house value in retirement corpus?
Generally no, unless you plan to downsize or reverse-mortgage it. Your primary residence provides shelter, not income, so most planners exclude it from the liquid retirement corpus.
How many years should I plan for after retirement?
With rising life expectancy, planning for 25-30 years post-retirement (i.e., living to 85-90) is safer than underestimating and running out of money in your later years.
Is equity safe for retirement savings?
Equity is appropriate for the growth phase (10+ years before retirement) due to its higher long-term returns, but should be gradually reduced in favor of debt instruments as retirement approaches to protect against market timing risk.
Can I retire earlier than 60?
Yes, but earlier retirement means fewer years to build the corpus and more years for it to last — both push your required monthly savings up significantly. This is the basis of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement.
What's the biggest mistake in retirement planning?
Underestimating inflation and starting too late. A corpus that looks large today can lose most of its purchasing power over 20-30 years if inflation isn't factored in from the start.
This calculator is for illustration only and does not predict actual investment returns. For personalized retirement planning, consult a certified financial planner.