Calculator

Retirement Calculator

Project your retirement pot in today's rand. See if you're on track for the lifestyle you want, and find out exactly what extra to save each month if you're behind.

Updated 11 May 2026 • By Sipho Dlamini • Fact-checked

Retirement Projection

All figures in today's rand (real terms)

Current age 35

Retirement age 65

30 years from now

Current retirement savings R250 000

Monthly contribution R3 000

Target retirement income R25 000/mo

Real return / year 6.0%

After inflation. Typical 4–7%.

Years in retirement 25 yrs

Projected pot at retirement

R4 519 189

In today's rand · over 30 years

Capital needed

R3 880 172

4% rule income

R15 064/mo

✓ You're on track

Surplus of R639 017 above your target.

Calculations use real (after-inflation) returns so all rand figures are in today's purchasing power. Excludes the State Old Age Grant (R2 400/month from 60) which can supplement a private pension.

Why save more, earlier

Compounding rewards early savers disproportionately. The 25-year-old who saves R2,000/month and stops at 35 ends up with more than the 35-year-old who saves R2,000/month every month until 65 — at the same return.

Scenario	Total contributed	Pot at 65 (6% real)
R2,000/mo from 25 to 35 only (10 years)	R240,000	R2.46 million
R2,000/mo from 35 to 65 (30 years)	R720,000	R2.01 million
R2,000/mo from 25 to 65 (40 years)	R960,000	R3.97 million

Real terms, 6% real return assumed.

A note on projections

Any retirement projection is sensitive to assumptions. A 1% lower real return over 30 years can cut your pot by 25%. Run the calculator at a few different return assumptions (especially 4%, 5%, 6%) — if you're still on track at the lowest, you have a real cushion.

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to retire comfortably in SA?+

A common rule of thumb is 15–25× your last annual salary, or enough capital to draw 4% a year inflation-adjusted. For R25,000/month (R300k/year) you'd need roughly R7.5 million in today's money — but this calculator does the maths properly accounting for your investment return and drawdown period.

What real return should I use?+

A "real" return is after inflation. For a balanced SA equity-and-bond retirement portfolio over the long run, 5–7% real is a sensible planning range. Equity-heavy investors can model 7–8%; very conservative bond-only investors should use 2–3%.

What does the 4% rule mean?+

The Trinity Study found that a portfolio could sustain a 4% annual withdrawal (inflation-adjusted) over a 30-year retirement with high probability of not running out. It's a useful sanity check: if your projected pot times 4% is enough to live on, you're probably OK.

Is the State Old Age Grant enough?+

For 2026 the SASSA Older Persons Grant pays R2,400/month (R2,420 if 75+). That covers basic shelter and food but no medical, transport or family support. Almost everyone needs personal retirement savings on top.

Should I use a retirement annuity or my employer's pension fund?+

Employer pension/provident funds are usually cheaper (lower fees, employer contributes too) — start there if available. A retirement annuity (RA) is a good top-up if you have spare capacity below the 27.5%/R350k tax-deductible limit, or if you're self-employed.

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