Home / Calculators / How Long Will My Money Last

How Long Will My Money Last?

Enter your balance and withdrawal amount to see exactly how many years your savings will last — not a rule of thumb, the real math.

📉 Withdrawal math 💵 Inflation-adjusted 📊 Scenario comparison
💰
Your savings & withdrawals
$
$
📈
Growth & inflation assumptions
4-6% is a common assumption for a balanced portfolio during retirement — more conservative than growth-focused accumulation.
💵 Adjust withdrawals for inflation
Keep the same real purchasing power each year
🎂
Your age (optional)
🎯 Show the age your funds run out
Adds a concrete age instead of just a duration
Your money will last
—
Estimated duration
—
Age when funds run out
—
Initial withdrawal rate
—
—
—
How long your money lasts by return assumption
Return scenarioMoney lasts
📍
Projected balance over time

Disclaimer: Estimates only, based on the assumptions you enter. Actual investment returns and inflation will vary year to year, and this calculator doesn't account for taxes. For informational purposes only — not financial advice. Consult a financial professional for personalized guidance.

📖
How to use this calculator
1
Enter your current balance and monthly withdrawal
Include all accounts you plan to draw from combined.
2
Set your expected return and inflation assumptions
A more conservative return gives a more cautious, realistic estimate.
3
Add your age for a concrete answer
Turns "22 years" into "runs out at age 87" — easier to plan around.
4
Check the scenario comparison
See how sensitive your result is to a conservative vs. optimistic return before relying on one number.
💡 Pro tip: If your withdrawal rate is above 4-5%, consider whether a part-time income, delaying withdrawals, or trimming expenses could meaningfully extend how long your money lasts.
❓
FAQs
Take your current balance, subtract your monthly withdrawal, add investment growth for that month, and repeat until the balance hits zero. This calculator runs that math month by month using your expected return and withdrawal amount, rather than a rough back-of-envelope estimate.
The traditional benchmark is 4% of your starting balance in year one, adjusted for inflation each year after — designed to last roughly 30 years for a balanced portfolio. Rates above 5–6% deplete savings considerably faster, especially in a below-average market.
If you want your withdrawals to maintain the same purchasing power every year, yes — this is the standard assumption behind most retirement withdrawal research, including the 4% rule. If you're comfortable with your spending power gradually shrinking, you can turn this off to see how much longer a fixed dollar amount lasts.
Most retirees shift to a more conservative mix than during their working years, so 4–6% is a common range for a balanced stock-and-bond portfolio, versus 7%+ often used for growth-focused accumulation. Use the scenario comparison to see how sensitive your result is to this assumption.
The 4% rule assumes a specific starting withdrawal rate and return profile. If your monthly withdrawal is a higher percentage of your balance than 4% annually, or your expected return is more conservative than the rule assumes, your money will deplete faster than the traditional 30-year benchmark.
🎯
Not sure what withdrawal rate to use? See our 4% rule explainer for where it comes from and where it breaks down.

Related guides:

How This Calculator Works

This calculator projects your balance forward month by month: each month, your remaining balance grows by your expected investment return, then your withdrawal is subtracted. If you've turned on inflation adjustment, your withdrawal amount increases each year to maintain the same real purchasing power. The projection continues until your balance reaches zero, or until 100 years have passed — at which point we treat your savings as effectively lasting indefinitely at that withdrawal rate.

Why the Scenario Comparison Matters

A single result based on one assumed return rate can be misleading, since actual market returns vary widely year to year. The scenario table shows how long your money lasts under a conservative, moderate, and optimistic return assumption, so you can see the real range of outcomes rather than anchoring on a single number that depends heavily on an assumption you can't control.

How This Differs From a Retirement Savings Calculator

A retirement savings calculator typically answers "will I have enough by the time I retire" — a question about accumulation. This tool answers a different question: once you're actually withdrawing from a balance you already have, how long will it realistically last at a specific dollar amount per month. If you're still building savings toward retirement, our retirement savings calculator is the better starting point.