Define income consistently
Use gross income, net income or after-tax income consistently when comparing savings rates. Mixing definitions makes comparisons misleading.
Example
If income for the year is 60,000 and amount saved is 12,000, the savings rate is 12,000 / 60,000 = 20%. The amount not saved is 48,000.
How to use the result
Use the same definition each month or year so the trend is meaningful. For retirement planning, many people track after-tax savings rate separately from gross-income savings rate.
Limitations
This calculator does not judge whether a savings rate is enough for your goals. Debt repayment, pensions, employer contributions, taxes and irregular income can change the interpretation.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17