Templates · Retirement
Free Retirement Savings Planner Template
Figure out if you are saving enough to retire comfortably. Track your contributions, calculate your employer match, project how your money will grow, and see whether your future self will thank you. Covers 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, and more.
- Retirement
- Planner
- Free template
What's included
This planner includes 4 sections covering everything you need.
Retirement Accounts
All your retirement accounts with current balances and how much you are putting in.
| Account Type | Provider | Current Balance | Annual Contribution | Employer Match | Total Annual Addition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Retirement Projections
What your accounts could be worth at retirement under different return scenarios.
| Current Age | Retirement Age | Current Balance | Annual Addition | Assumed Return | Projected Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Income Replacement
The big question: will your savings actually cover your retirement lifestyle?
| Projected Balance | Annual Withdrawal (4% rule) | Monthly Income | Social Security (est.) | Total Monthly Income | Current Expenses | Surplus/Shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Contribution Tracker
Year-by-year tracking of what you actually contributed and how it grew.
| Year | Starting Balance | Your Contributions | Employer Match | Investment Return | Ending Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
How to use this template
Follow these steps to get the most out of this template.
- 1
List every retirement account you have with its current balance — 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, etc.
- 2
Enter what you contribute each year and any employer match (that is free money — always contribute enough to get the full match).
- 3
Set your target retirement age and an assumed return (7% nominal or 5% inflation-adjusted is a common starting point).
- 4
Check the income replacement section. Will your projected savings support the retirement you want?
- 5
If there is a gap, bump up contributions, push back your retirement age, or revisit your investment mix.
- 6
Come back each year to update with actual balances and contributions.
Who this template is for
Working professionals who want to know if they are saving enough for retirement.
People in their 20s-30s starting to think about long-term financial independence.
Those getting close to retirement who need to make sure the numbers work.
Anyone curious about the impact of employer matching and compound growth.
Why use Clarity instead?
This template is great for manual tracking, but Clarity automates everything for you. Connect your bank accounts, brokerages, exchanges, and wallets and see real-time data without entering a single number.
- Automatic transaction imports from 12,000+ institutions
- Real-time portfolio values and net worth tracking
- AI-powered spending insights and budget recommendations
- Tax-ready reports with automatic cost basis calculations
- One dashboard for banks, brokerages, crypto, and DeFi
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I save for retirement?
A solid target is 15% of your gross income (including any employer match). Starting late? You may need 20-25%. For a more precise number: estimate your annual retirement spending, multiply by 25 (the flip side of the 4% rule), and work backward to figure out your savings rate.
What is the 4% rule?
It says you can withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each year after, and your money has a strong chance of lasting 30 years. So a $1 million portfolio would support about $40,000 per year in withdrawals.
Should I contribute to a Roth or Traditional 401(k)?
If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later (common for younger high earners), Roth is usually better — you pay taxes now at your lower rate. If your rate is high now and will drop in retirement, Traditional makes more sense. Many advisors suggest having both for flexibility.
What if my employer does not offer a 401(k)?
Open a Roth or Traditional IRA (2024 limit: $7,000, or $8,000 if you are 50+). Self-employed? Look into a SEP IRA (up to $69,000) or Solo 401(k). You get the same tax advantages as employer plans.
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Ready to go beyond spreadsheets?
Clarity connects to your financial accounts and automates what this template does manually. Real-time data, zero data entry, and AI-powered insights.