How Long Will My Money Last?
The retirement question that matters most: at your withdrawal pace, when does the money run out? This calculator simulates your balance month by month, growing it at your assumed return and increasing withdrawals with inflation.
Illustrative only, based on the assumptions you enter — not a quote, an offer, or financial advice. Rates and rules change; verify current figures with a licensed professional before acting.
How this calculator works
Each simulated month, the balance earns one month of growth and then pays out your withdrawal; once a year the withdrawal steps up by your inflation assumption. The result is the point where the balance hits zero — or "100+ years" if growth keeps up.
The initial withdrawal rate shown alongside is a useful benchmark: research behind the well-known "4% rule" suggests that inflation-adjusted withdrawals starting around 4% of the portfolio have historically survived 30-year retirements, though past results guarantee nothing.
One steady return is a simplification. Real portfolios earn lumpy returns, and bad years early in retirement (sequence-of-returns risk) can exhaust a portfolio faster than any average suggests.
Frequently asked questions
What is a safe withdrawal rate?
The traditional rule of thumb is around 4% of the starting balance, adjusted annually for inflation, for a 30-year horizon. Longer retirements, heavy fees, or conservative portfolios argue for less; guaranteed income like an annuity can justify more from the rest.
Why does a small change in return change the answer so much?
Compounding cuts both ways. When withdrawals are close to what growth replaces, the balance erodes slowly and small differences compound into decades.
How can I make savings last for life?
Only pooled products do that mechanically — a lifetime annuity keeps paying however long you live, which is exactly the risk this calculator shows you cannot diversify away on your own.
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This tool is for general education only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Results are illustrations based on your inputs — not quotes or guarantees. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions about annuities, settlements, or retirement accounts.