Retirement Drawdown Calculator
See how long your retirement savings last under a yearly withdrawal that rises with inflation, at your expected return.
Want to understand the concept, not just the number? Read The Retirement Planning Guide and more below.
| Year | Balance remaining |
|---|---|
| 1 | $997,500 |
| 2 | $993,300 |
| 3 | $987,268 |
| 4 | $979,263 |
| 5 | $969,137 |
| 6 | $956,732 |
| 7 | $941,881 |
| 8 | $924,406 |
| 9 | $904,121 |
| 10 | $880,827 |
| 11 | $854,312 |
| 12 | $824,356 |
| 13 | $790,721 |
| 14 | $753,159 |
| 15 | $711,406 |
| 16 | $665,183 |
| 17 | $614,195 |
| 18 | $558,131 |
| 19 | $496,659 |
| 20 | $429,433 |
| 21 | $356,084 |
| 22 | $276,223 |
| 23 | $189,438 |
| 24 | $95,297 |
| 25 | $0 |
How it's calculated
This runs your retirement balance forward one year at a time. Each year you take out your withdrawal, and what is left grows at your expected return. The withdrawal rises with inflation so your spending power stays the same, which means you take out more dollars every year. The calculator counts how long the balance holds up.
Take the default. A $1,000,000 balance with a $50,000 first-year withdrawal, a 5 percent return, and 3 percent inflation lasts 25 years. Starting at age 65, the money runs out around age 90, after paying out about $1.82 million in total as the withdrawals grow with inflation. A 5 percent starting withdrawal is on the aggressive side, which is why it does not last forever here.
Two levers change everything. A lower withdrawal or a higher return makes the money last much longer, and past a certain point the balance grows faster than you spend it, so it lasts for life. The classic 4 percent rule aims for exactly that over a 30 year retirement. Use the FIRE Number calculator to size the portfolio a target withdrawal needs.
Assumptions
- Each year the withdrawal is taken first, then the remaining balance grows at the expected return. The withdrawal rises with inflation.
- This uses one steady return every year. Real market swings, and the order they arrive in, would change the outcome. The retirement calculators with a Monte Carlo mode show that range.
Last updated: 2026-08-08
These assumptions follow our general methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How long will my retirement savings last?
It depends on how much you withdraw, what the money earns, and inflation. Enter your numbers above to see the years. As a guide, withdrawing 4 percent of your starting balance and adjusting for inflation has historically lasted at least 30 years.
What is a safe withdrawal rate?
The classic figure is 4 percent of your starting balance in year one, rising with inflation after that. Lower rates like 3 to 3.5 percent are more cautious and suit longer retirements. Higher rates run a real risk of running out.
Does this account for inflation?
Yes. Your withdrawal grows each year by the inflation rate you set, so the dollar amount rises while the spending power stays level. That is why the total withdrawn is much larger than the years times the first withdrawal.
What does it mean if my money lasts indefinitely?
It means your return outpaces your withdrawals, so the balance grows rather than shrinks. When the projection reaches its long horizon without running out, the money effectively lasts for life. Lower your withdrawal or expect a higher return to reach that point.