Withdrawal Longevity Calculator
See how long your savings could last at a given monthly withdrawal, with inflation and returns included.
Rises each year with inflation, matching real spending.
Longevity estimate
Your savings could last about
21 yr 7 mo
Withdrawing $4,000/month (a 6.4% initial rate) with 5.5% returns, the balance reaches zero around age 87.
- Initial withdrawal rate
- 6.4% / year
- Withdrawal in year 10 (inflated)
- $5,120/mo
- Depletion age
- About 87
Balance over time
View data table
| Balance | |
|---|---|
| Age 65 | $750K |
| Age 66 | $743K |
| Age 67 | $735K |
| Age 68 | $724K |
| Age 69 | $712K |
| Age 70 | $698K |
| Age 71 | $682K |
| Age 72 | $663K |
| Age 73 | $642K |
| Age 74 | $618K |
| Age 75 | $591K |
| Age 76 | $562K |
| Age 77 | $529K |
| Age 78 | $492K |
| Age 79 | $452K |
| Age 80 | $408K |
| Age 81 | $360K |
| Age 82 | $307K |
| Age 83 | $250K |
| Age 84 | $187K |
| Age 85 | $119K |
| Age 86 | $45K |
| Age 87 | $0 |
What this may mean for you
An initial rate above ~5.5% leans hard on strong markets. Testing the conservative tab matters here — and small trims to the monthly amount buy disproportionate years.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and may not reflect your complete financial or tax situation.
Understanding this calculator
This is the question behind every retirement plan: at the rate I'm spending, when does the money run out? The simulation withdraws your monthly amount, grows what's left at your assumed return, and bumps the withdrawal each year for inflation — the pattern that actually drains portfolios, because the withdrawals that felt safe at 65 have grown 60% larger by 85.
Watch how sensitive the answer is to small changes. Trimming a $5,000 withdrawal to $4,600, or earning one extra point of return, can add many years. That sensitivity is why advisers obsess over withdrawal rates — and why the scenario tabs here are worth a look before you trust any single number.
Assumptions and methodology
- Monthly simulation: balance earns your annual return ÷ 12, then the withdrawal is subtracted; withdrawals rise by inflation once per year.
- "Lasts 50+ years" means the balance was still positive after 50 simulated years.
- Returns are steady — real markets zigzag, and bad early years (sequence risk) can shorten results versus this smooth model.
- Taxes on withdrawals are not modeled; treat the withdrawal as your gross need.
Last reviewed August 30, 2026. Year-specific figures show their tax or data year in the tool; data is reviewed when the IRS, SSA, and CMS publish annual updates.
Common questions
Is a steady-return model realistic?
It's a fair first approximation but flatters volatile portfolios: a market drop early in retirement hurts more than the same drop later. Treat the result as a midpoint, not a floor.
What starting withdrawal rates do planners discuss?
Historical withdrawal-rate research (like Bengen's 4% studies) is a common reference point — about $3,333/month per $1,000,000 initially. It's a starting point for discussion, not a guarantee: results vary with allocation, fees, taxes, retirement length, market sequence, and spending flexibility.
Keep going
- Retirement IncomeSee how much monthly income your savings could support in retirement, and how it compares with what you plan to spend.Calculator
- Income GapCompare your expected retirement expenses with your guaranteed income and see how much your savings need to cover.Calculator
- Pension: Lump vs. MonthlyWeigh a one-time lump sum against a lifetime monthly pension using break-even math and implied returns.Calculator
- The Retirement Income ChecklistTurn a pile of accounts into a monthly paycheck — one step at a time.Guide
- Preparing for Your First Year of RetirementThe twelve-month runway: money moves, paperwork, and the parts nobody mentions.Guide
- What the 4% Rule Actually Says — and What It Never Promised6 min readArticle
Want a second set of eyes on this?
If you'd like to talk through what these numbers mean for your situation, you can schedule a free, no-pressure conversation. No products, no pitch — just questions answered.