Retirement projection calculator for South Africans
See what your retirement fund is on track to be worth, what that capital buys as a monthly income at a sustainable drawdown, and exactly what you would need to contribute each month to close the gap.
Projected capital at 65
R 22 622 112
R 5 234 246 in today's money
Monthly income (today's money)
R 17 447
Monthly income (nominal)
R 75 407
You contribute
R 4 269 142
Growth adds
R 18 002 969
Shortfall
To draw R 35 000 a month in today's money you need R 45 380 395 at retirement. You are short R 22 758 283.
A level contribution of R 19 038 a month from today closes the gap, or increase your escalation rate above 6%.
Your capital, year by year
| Age | Contributed that year | Balance | In today's money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | R 54 000 | R 441 432 | R 420 412 |
| 41 | R 72 264 | R 1 118 122 | R 834 359 |
| 46 | R 96 706 | R 2 345 658 | R 1 371 458 |
| 51 | R 129 414 | R 4 506 922 | R 2 064 673 |
| 56 | R 173 185 | R 8 234 297 | R 2 955 638 |
| 61 | R 231 761 | R 14 567 332 | R 4 096 927 |
Assumes 10% nominal growth, 5% inflation and a 6% annual contribution increase over 30 years, drawn at 4% in retirement.
Questions South Africans ask
- What return should I assume?
- A balanced Regulation 28 fund has historically delivered roughly inflation plus 4% to 5% before fees over long periods. Assuming 10% nominal against 5% inflation is a reasonable planning base, and stress-testing at 8% is sensible.
- Why does the calculator show a real value?
- A rand in 30 years buys far less than a rand today. The real value restates your projected capital in today's purchasing power so the number means something you can recognise.
- Is a 4% drawdown safe in South Africa?
- Living annuity drawdowns between 4% and 5% are generally regarded as sustainable over a 30-year retirement. Above 6% the risk of depleting capital rises sharply, especially with a poor first decade of returns.
- How much can I contribute tax-free?
- Retirement fund contributions are deductible up to 27.5% of the greater of remuneration or taxable income, capped at R350 000 a year. Escalating your contribution with your salary each year is the single highest-impact habit in this calculator.
Next step
Turn this projection into a plan
A free 30-minute conversation with an authorised advisor from 1st Group Capital, FSP 49632, covering structure, tax efficiency and allocation.
Projections are illustrative, exclude fees and taxes on withdrawal, and depend entirely on the assumptions you enter. This page is financial education, not advice.