Retirement Withdrawal Calculator
Estimate how long retirement savings may last under your chosen withdrawal, return, and inflation assumptions.
Inputs
Result
Visual breakdown
Formula
Each year: balance = balance · (1 + return) − withdrawal. Withdrawal grows by inflation each year. Loops up to 100 years; if balance still grows, output is "indefinite".
Example
$1M at 5% return, withdrawing $50,000/yr with 3% inflation → roughly 30 years before depletion in nominal terms.
Related: Safe withdrawal rate · FIRE · Inflation
How to use
- Use a real (after-inflation) return if you leave inflation at 0 — pick one convention.
- Try a range of returns (3%, 5%, 7%) to bracket outcomes.
- Compare against the Safe Withdrawal Rate calculator for the inverse view.
When it's useful
- Pressure-testing a retirement drawdown plan.
- Modeling early-retirement runway from a portfolio.
- Sanity-checking a withdrawal you're considering.
Common examples
Frequently asked
Does it model sequence-of-returns risk?
No — returns are constant year over year. Real markets can deplete savings faster if early returns are poor.
What's a sustainable withdrawal?
A common benchmark is the 4% rule, but lower rates (3–3.5%) are more conservative. Use the Safe Withdrawal Rate calculator to size monthly income from a portfolio.
Are taxes included?
No. Withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts are taxable; Roth withdrawals are generally not.
Why does it cap at 100 years?
A practical horizon. Balances still growing at 100 years are treated as indefinite.
People also calculate
More money & work →Educational estimate only — not financial advice. Real outcomes depend on market sequence, fees, and life events.