Retirement Inflation Calculator: What Your 401(k) and Social Security Will Really Be Worth
A million dollars won't buy at 67, 80 or 90 what it buys today. See what your 401(k) balance and Social Security will be worth in today's dollars at every age, using real U.S. inflation data.
An approximation, not a plan. For your paycheck today, see the paycheck calculator.
Your 401(k) at 67 · in today's dollars
Your 401(k) could grow to $1.5M by 67, but that will buy about what $595.2K buys today. A $5,166.43 monthly withdrawal will feel like $1,345.03 at 80 and $997.36 at 90 in today's money. Social Security keeps roughly the same buying power, because benefits rise with inflation each year.
| Age | Prices vs. today | 401(k) | Social Security | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | +160.4% | $1,984.16 | $2,000.00 | $3,984.16 |
| 70 | +184.8% | $1,813.90 | $2,000.00 | $3,813.90 |
| 75 | +230.8% | $1,561.97 | $2,000.00 | $3,561.97 |
| 80 | +284.1% | $1,345.03 | $2,000.00 | $3,345.03 |
| 85 | +346.1% | $1,158.23 | $2,000.00 | $3,158.23 |
| 90 | +418.0% | $997.36 | $2,000.00 | $2,997.36 |
Show every year
| Age | 401(k) left (today's $) | 401(k) / mo (future $) | 401(k) / mo (today's $) | SS / mo (today's $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | $582.3K | $5,166.43 | $1,984.16 | $2,000.00 |
| 68 | $569.9K | $5,166.43 | $1,925.70 | $2,000.00 |
| 69 | $557.9K | $5,166.43 | $1,868.96 | $2,000.00 |
| 70 | $546.3K | $5,166.43 | $1,813.90 | $2,000.00 |
| 71 | $535.2K | $5,166.43 | $1,760.45 | $2,000.00 |
| 72 | $524.5K | $5,166.43 | $1,708.59 | $2,000.00 |
| 73 | $514.3K | $5,166.43 | $1,658.25 | $2,000.00 |
| 74 | $504.4K | $5,166.43 | $1,609.39 | $2,000.00 |
| 75 | $494.9K | $5,166.43 | $1,561.97 | $2,000.00 |
| 76 | $485.8K | $5,166.43 | $1,515.95 | $2,000.00 |
| 77 | $477.1K | $5,166.43 | $1,471.29 | $2,000.00 |
| 78 | $468.7K | $5,166.43 | $1,427.94 | $2,000.00 |
| 79 | $460.7K | $5,166.43 | $1,385.87 | $2,000.00 |
| 80 | $453K | $5,166.43 | $1,345.03 | $2,000.00 |
| 81 | $445.7K | $5,166.43 | $1,305.40 | $2,000.00 |
| 82 | $438.7K | $5,166.43 | $1,266.94 | $2,000.00 |
| 83 | $432K | $5,166.43 | $1,229.62 | $2,000.00 |
| 84 | $425.7K | $5,166.43 | $1,193.39 | $2,000.00 |
| 85 | $419.6K | $5,166.43 | $1,158.23 | $2,000.00 |
| 86 | $413.9K | $5,166.43 | $1,124.10 | $2,000.00 |
| 87 | $408.4K | $5,166.43 | $1,090.98 | $2,000.00 |
| 88 | $403.3K | $5,166.43 | $1,058.84 | $2,000.00 |
| 89 | $398.4K | $5,166.43 | $1,027.64 | $2,000.00 |
| 90 | $393.8K | $5,166.43 | $997.36 | $2,000.00 |
| 91 | $389.4K | $5,166.43 | $967.98 | $2,000.00 |
| 92 | $385.4K | $5,166.43 | $939.46 | $2,000.00 |
| 93 | $381.6K | $5,166.43 | $911.78 | $2,000.00 |
| 94 | $378K | $5,166.43 | $884.92 | $2,000.00 |
05 — Reality check
What if inflation runs hot, or cool?
The next 60 years won't follow an average. Here's what $1,000 at age 95 would be worth today if prices rose like the fastest, typical and slowest 60-year stretches in U.S. history since 1928.
Hottest stretch
Like 1941–2000: prices ×12.3 (4.3% a year).
Typical
Like 1947–2006: prices ×9.4 (3.8% a year).
Coolest stretch
Like 1928–1987: prices ×6.7 (3.2% a year).
At your chosen 3.0% a year, $1,000 at 95 would be worth about $166.24 today. Want to check your pay against inflation now? Try the salary inflation calculator.
06 — $1 million
How much will $1 million be worth in the future?
What $1 million will buy in 10 to 50 years, in today's dollars, at real U.S. inflation rates. Inflation data through Oct 2026.
| In | Long-run avg (3.0%) | Last 10 yrs (3.4%) | Hottest stretch in history |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $741.5K | $716.2K | $435.5K (1973–1982) |
| 20 years | $549.8K | $513K | $290.9K (1966–1985) |
| 30 years | $407.7K | $367.4K | $207.2K (1966–1995) |
| 40 years | $302.3K | $263.1K | $161.4K (1968–2007) |
| 50 years | $224.2K | $188.5K | $105.4K (1941–1990) |
At the long-run average of 3.0% a year, $1 million in 30 years will buy about what $407.7K buys today. Over the last 30 years prices rose 2.6% a year, close to the long-run pace.
07 — Fixed income
What a fixed $1,000 a month buys in your 70s, 80s and 90s
A pension without increases, an annuity or a 401(k) withdrawal you never raise pays the same dollars every year. Here is what $1,000 a month starting at 65 buys later, in the dollars of the day you retire.
| At age | Long-run avg (3.0%) | Last 10 yrs (3.4%) | Hottest 30 yrs (5.4%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | $861 | $846 | $769 |
| 75 | $742 | $716 | $592 |
| 80 | $639 | $606 | $455 |
| 85 | $550 | $513 | $350 |
| 90 | $473 | $434 | $269 |
| 95 | $408 | $367 | $207 |
By 85, a fixed $1,000 buys about $550 worth of today's groceries, rent and bills at the long-run average. Social Security is different: its yearly cost-of-living increases are meant to keep its buying power roughly level.
09 — How it works
How inflation shrinks retirement income
The math behind “today's dollars,” and why Social Security and a 401(k) behave differently.
Today's dollars
Value today = future amount ÷ (1 + inflation)^years
It's what a future amount will buy, measured in today's prices. At 3.0% inflation, prices roughly double every 24 years, so a dollar buys about half as much.
A fixed withdrawal loses buying power every year
Take $40K a year from a $1M 401(k) at 65 and never raise it, and at 3.0% inflation it buys like $25.5K at 80 and $18.9K at 90. Raising withdrawals with inflation keeps the buying power, but uses the balance faster.
Where the inflation numbers come from
Recent averages use the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U through Oct 2026. The long-run average and the hottest and coolest stretches use yearly CPI from 1928 to 2025. You can also enter your own rate.
How the 401(k) is projected
Your balance and monthly additions grow at the return you pick until you retire. After that, a percentage of the starting balance is withdrawn each year while the rest keeps growing at the retirement return you pick.
How Social Security is projected
Your monthly estimate starts at the age you choose. With COLA on, it rises with the inflation rate you pick each year, so its buying power stays level. Turn COLA off to see what a benefit without increases would be worth.
What it leaves out
Taxes on withdrawals and benefits, required minimum distributions, fees, Medicare premiums, and market ups and downs. Treat the results as an approximation and plan with a margin.
10 — FAQ
Retirement and inflation questions
How do I figure out what my 401(k) will be worth in today's dollars?
Divide the future balance by (1 + inflation) raised to the number of years. For example, $1.5M in 30 years at 3.0% inflation is about $611.6K in today's dollars. The calculator above does this for every year of retirement.
How much will $1 million be worth in 30 years?
About $407.7K in today's dollars at the long-run average inflation of 3.0% a year, or $367.4K if prices keep rising at the last 10 years' pace of 3.4%.
Are Social Security Statement estimates in today's dollars?
Yes. Social Security shows estimates in today's dollars unless you ask its calculator for future (inflated) dollars. Strictly, they are adjusted for national wage growth rather than prices, so they are a close approximation of today's buying power.
Does Social Security keep up with inflation?
Largely, yes. Benefits get a cost-of-living adjustment most years, based on the CPI-W. That roughly preserves buying power, though the prices retirees pay, like health care, can rise faster. Turn off COLA in the calculator to see what that protection is worth.
What is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
3.6%, announced on October 14, 2026. It applies to December 2026 benefits, paid in January 2027. It comes from the average CPI-W for July to September 2026 (328.746) compared with 2025 (317.265). The 2026 increase was 2.8%.
Does my 401(k) adjust for inflation?
No. A 401(k) balance is just dollars, and nothing raises it for inflation. Investing for growth is how savings try to stay ahead. Withdrawals you never raise lose buying power every year, which is why the chart's 401(k) line slopes down when “Same amount every year” is picked.
What inflation rate should I use for retirement planning?
The U.S. long-run average is about 3.0% a year (1928–2025). Many planners use 2.5–3.5%. Try a higher rate too: the hottest 30 years on record (1966–1995) averaged 5.4%.
How long will my retirement savings last with inflation?
It depends on how much you take out and how it's invested. Take 4% of $1M at 65 and raise it with inflation each year, with a 5% return and 3.0% inflation, and it still has money left at 95. The calculator shows the age your balance runs out, if it does.
What's the difference between nominal and inflation-adjusted dollars?
Nominal dollars are the numbers you'll actually see on a statement in the future. Inflation-adjusted (today's) dollars show what those numbers will buy at today's prices. The chart's dashed line is nominal; the solid lines are today's dollars.
Should I plan for higher health care inflation?
It's wise to. Medical prices have often risen faster than overall prices, and the COLA is based on the CPI-W, which tracks working households rather than retirees. To leave a margin, try a custom inflation rate half a point to a point above the average.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index (CPI-U, series CUUR0000SA0), through Oct 2026.
- Aswath Damodaran, NYU Stern: Historical Returns (yearly CPI and returns, 1928–2025).
- Social Security Administration: Latest Cost-of-Living Adjustment (2027, announced October 14, 2026).
- Social Security Administration: COLA history.
- Social Security Administration: Benefit Calculator (estimates in today's dollars).
- Social Security Administration: Estimated Retirement Benefits in the Social Security Statement (wage-growth adjustment).
An approximation. Real returns and inflation vary year to year. Results ignore taxes, fees and required distributions. Not financial advice.
Nothing you enter is stored. Compare plans with the investment calculator.
08 — Social Security
Social Security, COLAs and today's dollars
How Social Security keeps up with prices, and how to read the estimate on your Social Security Statement.
Is your Social Security Statement in today's dollars?
Yes, approximately. Social Security's own calculator says your estimated benefit “is shown in today's dollars, unless you choose to have it shown in future (inflated) dollars.” So enter your estimate as it is and leave “Amount is in today's dollars” on.
One fine point: SSA adjusts these estimates with national wage growth rather than prices. Wages usually rise a little faster than prices, so treating the estimate as today's buying power is a close, slightly cautious approximation.
How the COLA is calculated
COLA = avg CPI-W (Jul–Sep this year) ÷ avg CPI-W (Jul–Sep of the last COLA year) − 1
Each October, Social Security compares prices for urban wage earners (the CPI-W) over July to September with the same months of the year of the last increase. For 2027: 328.746 ÷ 317.265 is 3.6% higher, so benefits rise 3.6% starting with December 2026 benefits, paid in January 2027.
The 2027 increase of 3.6% was announced on October 14, 2026. The next one will be announced in October 2027. Source: Social Security Administration.