Retirement Withdrawal Calculator
Enter your retirement savings, how much you plan to withdraw each year (as an amount or a percentage), your expected return and inflation. See how many years the money lasts, the largest withdrawal that lasts your planning horizon, and the balance year by year.
The classic “4% rule”: 4% of savings in year one, then raised with inflation.
Used for the maximum sustainable withdrawal.
How to use the Retirement Withdrawal Calculator
- Enter your savings and, optionally, your age at retirement.
- Choose how you withdraw: a fixed yearly amount or a percentage of the starting balance.
- Set the expected return and inflation, and whether withdrawals rise with inflation.
- Read how long the money lasts and the maximum withdrawal for your planning horizon.
- Review the chart and table to see the balance each year, and download it as CSV.
How long will my retirement savings last?
The calculator runs your savings month by month. At the start of each month it takes one twelfth of the yearly withdrawal, then the remaining balance earns the monthly equivalent of your annual return, (1 + annual return)1/12 − 1. If you choose to keep pace with inflation, the yearly withdrawal is raised each year: withdrawaly = first withdrawal × (1 + inflation)y−1.
When the return is steady and withdrawals are fixed, there is a closed form: the money lasts n = −ln(1 − r × B ÷ W) ÷ ln(1 + r) periods. With inflation raises the calculation is done step by step, which is what this tool does.
Example: $1,000,000 with $50,000 withdrawn in the first year, raised 3% a year, and a 5% return lasts about 25 yrs 7 mo.
How long $1,000,000 lasts at different withdrawal rates
Initial withdrawal as a % of savings, raised 3% a year for inflation, monthly withdrawals, constant returns.
| Initial withdrawal rate | 3% return | 5% return | 7% return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | 33 yrs 9 mo | 54 yrs 5 mo | 100+ yrs |
| 3.5% | 28 yrs 11 mo | 42 yrs 3 mo | 100+ yrs |
| 4% | 25 yrs 4 mo | 34 yrs 8 mo | 87 yrs 1 mo |
| 5% | 20 yrs 3 mo | 25 yrs 7 mo | 38 yrs 8 mo |
| 6% | 16 yrs 10 mo | 20 yrs 4 mo | 27 yrs |
The 4% rule and its limits
The “4% rule” comes from research on historical US stock and bond returns (notably William Bengen's 1994 study): withdrawing 4% of the starting balance and then raising the dollar amount with inflation survived every 30-year period in the data. It is a starting point, not a guarantee. Real returns vary from year to year, and a bad market early in retirement (sequence-of-returns risk) shortens how long money lasts even when the average return is the same. This calculator uses a constant return, so test a lower return to see a cautious case, and revisit your plan regularly. Taxes on withdrawals are not included.
Frequently asked questions
How long will $1 million last in retirement?
It depends on how much you withdraw and your return. Withdrawing $40,000 a year (4%), raised 3% a year for inflation, with a steady 5% return lasts about 34 years 8 months. At $60,000 a year it lasts about 20 years 4 months. Enter your own numbers above.
What is the 4% rule?
Withdraw 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement, then increase the dollar amount by inflation every year. Based on historical US market returns it lasted at least 30 years in every period studied, but it is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
Should withdrawals be adjusted for inflation?
If you want the same buying power each year, yes. Without raises, a fixed withdrawal loses value: at 3% inflation, $50,000 buys about what $27,700 does today after 20 years. Uncheck the box to see the fixed-amount case.
What return should I use?
Use a realistic long-term return for your mix of investments after fees. Many planners test a cautious figure such as 3% to 5% for a balanced portfolio, because returns vary and early losses hurt more.
What is the maximum sustainable withdrawal?
It is the largest first-year withdrawal that brings the balance to exactly zero at the end of your planning horizon, given your return and inflation settings. Withdrawing less leaves money at the end.
Does this include Social Security, pensions or taxes?
No. Enter only what you need to draw from savings, after other income. Taxes on withdrawals from pre-tax accounts are not modeled, so plan your withdrawal before or after tax consistently.
Is my information stored?
No. All calculations run in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.