Retirement Withdrawal Calculator
How long will your portfolio last? Use the 4% rule (withdraw 4% of initial balance, adjust for inflation) or a fixed dollar amount. See a year-by-year projection.
Example: $1M at 4%, 6% return, 2.5% inflation
Years Until Depleted
52
Annual Withdrawal (Year 1)
$40,000
Monthly (Year 1)
$3,333.33
A $1,000,000 portfolio with 4% initial withdrawal ($40,000/year), 6% return, and 2.5% inflation lasts approximately 52 years.
Source: FinCalc server-rendered example using the same formulas as the interactive calculator.
Inputs
Results
Years Until Depleted
52
Monthly Withdrawal (Year 1)
$3,333.33
Annual Withdrawal (Year 1)
$40,000
Effective Withdrawal Rate
4.00%
Projection (first 15 years)
| Year | Start Balance | Withdrawal | End Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000,000 | $40,000 | $1,017,600 |
| 2 | $1,017,600 | $41,000 | $1,035,196 |
| 3 | $1,035,196 | $42,025 | $1,052,761.26 |
| 4 | $1,052,761.26 | $43,075.62 | $1,070,266.77 |
| 5 | $1,070,266.77 | $44,152.52 | $1,087,681.11 |
| 6 | $1,087,681.11 | $45,256.33 | $1,104,970.27 |
| 7 | $1,104,970.27 | $46,387.74 | $1,122,097.49 |
| 8 | $1,122,097.49 | $47,547.43 | $1,139,023.06 |
| 9 | $1,139,023.06 | $48,736.12 | $1,155,704.16 |
| 10 | $1,155,704.16 | $49,954.52 | $1,172,094.62 |
| 11 | $1,172,094.62 | $51,203.38 | $1,188,144.71 |
| 12 | $1,188,144.71 | $52,483.47 | $1,203,800.92 |
| 13 | $1,203,800.92 | $53,795.55 | $1,219,005.69 |
| 14 | $1,219,005.69 | $55,140.44 | $1,233,697.16 |
| 15 | $1,233,697.16 | $56,518.95 | $1,247,808.90 |
AI explains your result
FinCalc AI
Ask about this calculator
FinCalc AI
Suggested questions:
The 4% Rule and Methodology
The Trinity Study showed that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjusting that dollar amount for inflation each year, had a high success rate over 30-year retirements. We project your balance year by year: start balance minus withdrawal, plus growth. The portfolio is depleted when balance reaches zero.
Lower withdrawal rates (3–3.5%) improve safety for longer horizons. This calculator uses deterministic projections; actual returns vary, so treat results as planning estimates.
Sources
Data and assumptions align with official publications. For verification and current figures:
- Trinity Study — 4% safe withdrawal rate research
Frequently asked questions
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule (Trinity Study) suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjusting that dollar amount for inflation each year. Historically this had a high success rate over 30 years. Many use 3–3.5% for longer retirements or more caution.
How long will my portfolio last?
It depends on your withdrawal rate, investment return, and inflation. At 4% initial withdrawal with 6% return and 2.5% inflation, a $1M portfolio often lasts 30+ years. Use the calculator to see a year-by-year projection for your assumptions.
Should I use a fixed dollar amount or percentage withdrawal?
The 4% rule uses a percentage of initial balance, inflated each year—predictable and historically sustainable. A fixed dollar amount is simpler but may deplete the portfolio sooner if returns are low. The calculator supports both.
What's Next?
Advertisement
What to calculate next
View all calculators →Retirement Savings
Project your retirement savings with compound interest, employer matching, and inflation adjustment. Based on the 4% withdrawal rule.
FIRE Calculator
Financial Independence, Retire Early. Your FIRE number, years to FIRE, savings rate, and year-by-year projection.
Coast FIRE Calculator
Calculate how much you need saved now so you can stop contributing and still retire through compound growth.
Barista FIRE Calculator
Estimate the portfolio needed to leave full-time work, cover expenses with part-time income, and withdraw the remaining gap.
Social Security Benefits Estimator
Compare Social Security benefits at 62, 67, and 70 with lifetime totals and break-even ages.
401(k) Early Withdrawal Calculator
Estimate tax and 10% penalty on 401(k) early withdrawal. Federal, state, and net you keep by state and income.