AC's Retirement Nest Egg Calculator

Description

AC’s Retirement Nest Egg Calculator answers a question most people ask at one time or another, “Assuming regular investment amounts, how much will I have when I retire?”. The calculator easily answers the question and creates a detailed schedule with projected date based investments and charts. A site’s users can select their own currency and date convention used in the investment schedule. This is ideal if your site attracts visitors from around the globe. Select from four predefined sizes or modify CSS file to customize size and change colors. Supports touch devices and a responsive designed website. This plugin is based on and uses the code from my Retirement Calculator.

Rebranding with your site’s brand name is supported and encouraged.

The plugin can be used (a) in a post or page’s content area via a shortcode; (b) in a widget area; or (c) in any template file. See usage under installation for details.

NEW: Sites are encouraged to install the free, enhanced AC Retirement Nest Egg Calculator Plus Plugin v2.0 with a printable investment schedule and dozens of additional configuration and styling options.

Screenshots

Installation

You can either (a) upload the fc-retirement-nest-egg-calculator folder with all its files to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory, or (b) unzip the plugin’s zip file directly into the /wp-content/plugins/ directory.

Activate the plugin through the Plugins -> Installed Plugins menu in the WordPress admin dashboard.

Upgrading

If you translated the plugin from English to another language, please backup your work prior to upgrading the plugin.

Usage

There are 3 mutually exclusive ways you can deploy the calculator to an individual page (though you can use all three methods on different pages within a site):

1. If your theme supports widgets, add the plugin to a widget area through the Appearance -> Widgets menu in WordPress. WordPress v5.8 introduced the block editor to the Admin’s widget management screen. To install this plugin as a widget in WordPress v5.8 or later, install first the widget shortcode and then copy this plugin’s shortcode into it.
2. Add the following code to your template where you want the calculator to appear. See below for options.
3. Add the shortcode [fcretirenesteggplugin] in the content area of your page or post and configure shortcode parameters.

Shortcode parameters

* sc_size= tiny | small | medium | large
* sc_custom_style= No | Yes
* sc_add_link= No | Yes
* sc_brand_name= 
* sc_hide_resize= No | Yes
* sc_current_age=
* sc_retire_age=
* sc_current_savings=
* sc_invest_amt=
* sc_rate=
* sc_currency=
* sc_date_mask=

Examples (the first example includes all options):

[fcretirenesteggplugin sc_size="medium" sc_custom_style="No" sc_add_link="No" sc_brand_name="" sc_hide_resize="No" sc_current_age="28" sc_retire_age="62" sc_current_savings="16000" sc_invest_amt="750.0" sc_rate="5.5" sc_currency="83" sc_date_mask="2"]

[fcretirenesteggplugin sc_size="small" sc_custom_style="Yes" sc_hide_resize="Yes" sc_currency="83" sc_date_mask="2"]

[fcretirenesteggplugin sc_custom_style="No" sc_add_link="Yes" sc_brand_name="Friendly Financial Planners" sc_hide_resize="Yes" sc_current_age="28" sc_retire_age="62" sc_current_savings="16000" sc_invest_amt="750.0" sc_rate="5.5"]

Optional array parameter passed to show_fcretirenestegg_plugin()

Valid values for options are the same as the shortcode above.

<?php show_fcretirenestegg_plugin(array('op_size' => "large",
    'op_custom_style' => "No",
    'op_add_link' => "No",
    'op_brand_name' => "",
    'op_hide_resize' => "No",
    'op_current_age' => "28",
    'op_retire_age' => "62",
    'op_current_savings' => "18000",
    'op_invest_amt' => "750.0",
    'op_rate' => "5.5",
    'op_currency' => "999",
    'op_date_mask' => "999"
    )); ?>

Notes:

1. To add your brand to the calculator, you must set *_add_link option to “Yes” to add a subtle link to AccurateCalculators.com.
2. When branding, the brand name will be added before “Retirement Calculator”.
3. If _custom_style is set to “Yes”, the plugin will load fin-calc-widgets-custom.css located in the plugin’s CSS folder. If you set the option to “Yes” without making any changes, the calculator will change to a red color to indicate that the custom CSS is in use.
4. The plugin is built and tested on HTML5/CSS3 pages.
5. size (max-width): large: 440px, medium: 340px, small: 290px, tiny: 150px
6. The modal dialog that allows users to select a default currency and date format is NOT compatible with some other dialogs. If you have a modal on the webpage you want to install this calculator on, either your modal or the calculator’s modal may not work.
7. Website developers can set a default currency symbol and preferred date format by setting <op/sc>_currency and <op/sc>_date_mask respectively. Refer to the file currency_and_date_conventions.txt in the plugin’s root folder for over 90 supported currency symbols and 6 date formats (for example, India uses the Indian Rupee: ?1,23,45,678.99, which corresponds to the integer value 83).

Enhanced Internationalization

Support for over 90 currency signs (using appropriate number formatting conventions) and 6 date formats (mm/dd/yyyy, dd/mm/yyyy, yyyy.mm.dd etc.). If neither the website developer or the user makes a selection, the calculator will read the browser’s default currency and date options and automatically use them. Without doing anything, a website visitor from Japan visiting a website hosted in France will initially see a floating yen sign. The website developer can easily override this default behavior by setting either shortcodes or function options. The user (if the website designer keeps the feature enabled) can override both and select a currency and date format.

To summarize, the plugin determines what currency symbol (and date format) to use by applying the following rules:

1. If a website allows a user to select a symbol, and the user makes a selection, the plugin uses the visitor’s choice first.
2. Otherwise, if a user has not made a selection, and the website owner has set a default currency (i.e., currency does not equal 999), the calculator uses the website’s selection.
3. Otherwise, the calculator plugin will attempt to read the browser’s currency default and pick a currency symbol.
4. Otherwise, the plugin defaults to using the ‘$’ symbol.

Language Translations

New in v1.5, support for 14 languages in addition to English. The plugin also includes a translation template file (.POT) in the “languages” folder. Using a POT/PO file editor, website owners can translate this plugin to any language supported by WordPress.

The supported languages are:

da : Danish : Dansk
nl : Dutch : Nederlandse
fi : Finnish : Suomalainen
fr : French : Fran?ais
de : German : Deutsch
hu : Hungarian : Magyar
it : Italian : Italiano
lt : Lithuanian : Lietuvi?
pl : Polish : Polski
pt : Portuguese : Português
ro : Romanian : Romanesc
ru : Russian : Русский
es : Spanish : Espa?ol
sv : Swedish : Svenska

Notes: (1) The plugin depends on the site’s “Site Language” setting to display to your visitors the correct language. The files in the language folder can be renamed if needed. For example, if you want the plugin to display in Portuguese, the .MO and .JSON files assume your site’s language setting is Portuguese (Portugal) with the locale pt_PT. But if your site is in Brazil, you’ll need to rename the plugin’s language files to use pt_BR. (2) Currently, these translations are computer-generated. A fluent speaker can edit the included .PO file and regenerate the .MO file to improve accuracy. (3) If you are willing to allow me to include your edits with the plugin, I’ll regenerate the .MO, and if needed the .JSON files for you.

I am offering many of the other calculators free-of-charge to bloggers who assist with translations.

Support

I’m happy to offer support for all my plugins. If you have a question or encounter an issue, please go to the WordPress plugin’s support forum and leave your question. Please specify if you are using the original plugin or the “Plus” plugin. Also, please provide a link to a page where you have installed the plugin. Providing a link to the page where the issue occurs may help me to resolve it faster.

Other Calculators

As of this writing, AccurateCalculators.com has seven plugins listed in the WordPress Plugin Directory with several more available on the website. All plugins have the same general feature set and are consistent in their styling and the way they work. This means you can install all these plugins and maintain a consistent look and feel for your website or blog. If you blog about money, you are encouraged to install all the plugins on your site. It’s simple. The more pages, the more opportunity.

We have two more retirement calculators to complement this plugin (all links take you to the indicated WordPress Plugin Directory page).

1. Retirement Age Calculator – answers, at what age will I be able to retire given my investment plan?
2. Retirement Savings Calculator – how much do I have to invest periodically to reach my retirement goal?

Plus there are these other plugins:

1. Auto Loan Calculator – solves for several unknowns and creates a payment schedule.
2. Loan Calculator – a general purpose loan calculator with amortization schedule and charts.
3. Mortgage Calculator – optionally incorporates points and insurance and creates a payment schedule
4. Savings Calculator – calculates the results of regular savings and investing

New Plus plugins (links take you to the AccurateCalculators.com website).

1. Auto Loan Calculator Plus Plugin – a car loan calculator with printable amortization schedule and charts. Supports international conventions. (free – with citation or review)
2. Loan Calculator Plus Plugin – a general purpose loan calculator with printable amortization schedule and charts. Supports international conventions. (free – with citation or review)
3. Mortgage Calculator Plus Plugin – a mortgage calculator with printable payment schedule and loads of configuration options. Supports international conventions. (free – with citation or review)
4. Retirement Age Calculator Plus Plugin – At what age will I be able to retire? With a printable investment schedule and charts. Supports international conventions. (free – with citation or review)
5. Retirement Nest Egg Calculator Plus Plugin – Assuming regular investing, what will be the value of my retirement account? With printable investment schedule and charts. Supports international conventions. (free – with citation or review)
6. Retirement Savings Calculator Plus Plugin – Assuming regular investing, how much will I have to invest each period to reach my retirement goal? With printable investment schedule and charts. Supports international conventions. (free – with citation or review)
7. Savings Calculator Plus Plugin – Assuming regular savings, what will be the future value? With printable savings schedule and charts. Supports international conventions. (free – with citation or review)

FAQ

Can the Retirement Nest Egg Calculator plugin be used on a commercial website?

Yes. I would be honored. Thanks.

If you’re a financial blogger, consider adding a “Calculators” or “Tools” section to your site and including all my calculators. More content equals more opportunity.

Does your plugin have any embed advertising?

Absolutely not.

Is your plugin self-contained?

Yes. 100% of the plugin is installed on your server. There are no external dependencies.

Does the plugin include any backlinks?

No, not by default. If you decide to brand the calculator with your brand and / or set the add_link option to Yes, one discreet link is added to my site. (This link is discreet and only visible when a user hovers their cursor over it.) The link is around the copyright in the lower left. ??

Is the calculator plugin responsive?

Yes. In fact, I use it on a Bootstrap responsive site.

Does the calculator support touch devices?

Yes. Users use the calculator with all types of devices. (A previous issue with some Android devices is fixed.)

Do you offer other calculator plugins?

Yes, I have six additional plugins available in the www.ads-software.com plugin directory. You can also explore my calculator plugin page, where you’ll find “Plus” versions of this and the other plugins. The “Plus” plugins will be free (with citation) for a limited time.

I like your plugin and I’d like to contribute something but I notice you don’t have a link for contributions, why not?

Thank you. That’s very kind of you. Actually, you can contribute, and it won’t cost you a cent. Please stop by my website and check it out. In addition to providing some very advanced calculators, I think that I’m the only one that provides free support via a public forum. Take a look, and if you like what you see, please spread the word. That’s better than any monetary compensation.

Reviews

Great Service

mariongroup1 April 21, 2020

I experienced a minor issue and received a prompt response and resolution. The calculators work beautifully and look great.

Contributors & Developers

Changelog

1.5.4.2

• Fixed bug that had prevented calculation. (Fixed in less than 10 hours after having been released to www.ads-software.com)
• Fixed name as it appears on WordPress’ Plugin page. Rebranded from “FC” to “AC’s”.

1.5.4.1

• Added schema.org microdata markup. This enhancement may improve your SEO.
• Replaced missing “assets” folder in project (screenshots).

1.5.4

• Changed all references to author’s website from financial-calculators.com to AccurateCalculators.com.

1.5.3

• Fixed issue impacting some IOS devices preventing users from entering decimal precision. Example, users could only enter 4%, not 4.25%.

1.5.2

• Fixed problem initializing calculator when site selected a currency convention that uses ‘,’ as the decimal separator.

1.5.1

• Not released.

1.5.0

• Added initial support for language translations
• Change in the minimum required WordPress version to v5.0 (requires i18n support)
• Added documentation how site owners can hide or disable an input from visitors near the top of source file: en/calulator.gui.php
• Renamed file js/interface.RETIRE-NESTEGG-WIDGET.min.js to js/interface.RETIRE-NESTEGG-WIDGET.js (the file is still minified)

1.4.4

• Fixed a style which made the calculator way too tall on some themes (specifically Neve Theme by Themeisle).
• Resolved a calculation issue where not all prior values were cleared in the chart.
• Fixed PHP 7.4.x error: Deprecated: unparenthesized ternary operator (completely broke the calculator on sites using v7.4)

1.4.3

• Fixed a display bug that only impacted some sites if they installed plugin via a sidebar.
• Tweaked styling to make it cleaner.

1.4.2

• Fixed a bug that prevented your website users from selecting a currency of their choice in some situations.
• Added support for Nigeria’s Naira currency symbol

1.4.1

• Fixed a bug that prevented website owners from having a period or comma in the branded name.

1.4.0

• Added currency sign support for 80 plus additional currencies.
• Added three additional date styles.
• Now the first time a visitor tries the calculator, the calculator will detect their browser’s currency symbol and date style and use them.
• Website owner has the ability to set a preferred currency sign and date format for all first time visitors.
• Website owner can give the visitor an option to select their preferred currency symbol and date format.
• IMPROVEMENT: on mobile devices calculator opens numeric keyboard by default.
• UPDATE: some layout and style settings
• BUG FIX: Fixed an input issue on Android devices that required a long press to input numbers for some Android users.

1.3.0

• Slight style changes
• Tweaks to work better with WordPress 5.0
• Switched from Bootstrap v3 to Bootstrap v4 utilities. If your site is built using Bootstrap 3, this may cause conflicts. Test on a dev machine.
• Since there are no user enhancements, I would only upgrade if you have experienced a style issue.

1.2.0

• Multiple fc calculators can now be used on a single web page.
• On a few sites, the text in the dropdowns was cut off – fixed.
• Previously, if site had opted to allow backlinks, 2 had been inserted. Now one is inserted.

1.1.2

• Updated the CSS so as to resolve a few reported compatibility issues with some sites.
• Improved layout of international date and currency selection dialogue.

1.1.1

• Fixed – some installations the currency / date dialogue was not accessible because the background overlay was on top of the dialogue.
• Fixed – some installations the Help text was visible on the main page and not just when the Help button was clicked
• Fixed – missing “+” “-” signs for the optional resizing feature

1.1

• Improved styling
• Converted project to use a single file CSS regardless of calculator size selected. Single file will be compatible across all AccurateCalculators.com plugins so site owners can modify style once and copy to all other plugins.
• Fixed – plugin did not recognize all saved settings in WordPress’s widgets page administration area
• Fixed – plugin did not recognize all saved settings passed in option array to show_fcretireage_plugin()

1.0

• First release