The 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio annually in retirement. Historically, this sustained a 30-year retirement in most market conditions.

How long will my money last?

Depends on withdrawal rate, investment returns, and inflation. A 4% withdrawal with 6% returns typically lasts 30+ years. Higher withdrawals or lower returns shorten longevity.

Should I include Social Security?

Yes. Enter your expected monthly benefit and start age. It reduces the burden on your portfolio and extends how long savings last.

What withdrawal rate is safe?

4% is a common rule of thumb. Conservative: 3%. Aggressive: 5%+. Sequence of returns risk matters—early bad years can deplete faster.

How does inflation affect my money?

Inflation erodes purchasing power. If you increase withdrawals 3%/year for inflation, you need higher returns to sustain the portfolio.

What if I run out of money?

Reduce withdrawals, work part-time, downsize, or rely more on Social Security. Plan for flexibility—many retirees adjust.

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RETIREMENTRetirement PlanningFinance Calculator

💰

How Long Will Money Last — Retirement Withdrawal & 4% Rule

Project how long your savings last with withdrawals, investment returns, inflation, and Social Security. Plan for financial longevity.

Concept Fundamentals

40 yrs

Years Left

999

Age Runs Out

4.8%

Withdrawal Rate

$3K

Sustainable

Did our AI summary help? Let us know.

4% withdrawal with 6% returns typically lasts 30+ years. Include Social Security—it extends portfolio longevity. Sequence of returns risk: early bad years hurt more.

Key figures

40 yrs

Years Left

Key figure

999

Age Runs Out

Key figure

4.8%

Withdrawal Rate

Key figure

$3K

Sustainable

Key figure

Ready to run the numbers?

Why: Running out of money in retirement is a top fear. The 4% rule and proper projections help you plan for 30+ years.

How: Enter savings, monthly withdrawal, inflation, and investment return. Add Social Security for a complete picture. We project year-by-year until funds run out.

4% withdrawal with 6% returns typically lasts 30+ years.Include Social Security—it extends portfolio longevity.

Sources:Social Security AdministrationInvestopedia 4% Rule

Run the calculator when you are ready.

Calculate Longevity

📊 Sample Scenarios — Click to Load

Savings & Withdrawals

Current Savings ($)

Monthly Withdrawal ($)

Withdrawal Increase (%/yr)

Investment Return (%)

Age & Additional Income

Current Age

Target End Age

Social Security ($/mo)

SS Start Age

money_last.sh

CALCULATED

$ analyze --type=retirement_longevity

Years Money Lasts

40 years

Withdrawal Rate

4.80%

Total Withdrawals

$2.68M

Investment Returns

$4.21M

Money Last Calculator

Years Money Lasts

40 years

Withdrawal Rate: 4.80%

numbervibe.com

Portfolio Balance Over Time

Withdrawals vs Returns

Total Flow Breakdown

Withdrawal Rate Analysis

💡 Recommendations

Good news! Your savings are projected to last past your target age of 95.

Social Security/pension of $2K/month starting at 67 significantly extends your savings.

Investment returns of 6.00% add $4.21M over the projection period.

📝 Calculation Summary

💰 MONEY LONGEVITY ANALYSIS

Starting Savings: $1,000,000

Monthly Withdrawal: $4,000

Withdrawal Rate: 4.80%

📊 STEP 1: Withdrawal Analysis

Annual Withdrawal: $48,000

Safe 4% Withdrawal: $3,333/month

🎯 STEP 2: Projection Results

Years Money Lasts: 40 years

Age When Runs Out: Never (outlasts target)

Total Withdrawn: $2,683,260

📅 Year-by-Year Projection

Age	Start Balance	Returns	Withdrawal	End Balance
66	$1.00M	+$60K	-$48K	$1.01M
67	$1.01M	+$61K	-$25K	$1.05M
68	$1.05M	+$63K	-$27K	$1.08M
69	$1.08M	+$65K	-$28K	$1.12M
70	$1.12M	+$67K	-$30K	$1.16M
71	$1.16M	+$69K	-$32K	$1.19M
72	$1.19M	+$72K	-$33K	$1.23M
73	$1.23M	+$74K	-$35K	$1.27M
74	$1.27M	+$76K	-$37K	$1.31M
75	$1.31M	+$79K	-$39K	$1.35M
76	$1.35M	+$81K	-$41K	$1.39M
77	$1.39M	+$84K	-$42K	$1.43M
78	$1.43M	+$86K	-$44K	$1.47M
79	$1.47M	+$88K	-$46K	$1.52M
80	$1.52M	+$91K	-$49K	$1.56M
81	$1.56M	+$94K	-$51K	$1.60M
82	$1.60M	+$96K	-$53K	$1.65M
83	$1.65M	+$99K	-$55K	$1.69M
84	$1.69M	+$101K	-$58K	$1.73M
85	$1.73M	+$104K	-$60K	$1.78M
86	$1.78M	+$107K	-$63K	$1.82M
87	$1.82M	+$109K	-$65K	$1.86M
88	$1.86M	+$112K	-$68K	$1.91M
89	$1.91M	+$114K	-$71K	$1.95M
90	$1.95M	+$117K	-$74K	$1.99M
91	$1.99M	+$120K	-$77K	$2.04M
92	$2.04M	+$122K	-$80K	$2.08M
93	$2.08M	+$125K	-$83K	$2.12M
94	$2.12M	+$127K	-$86K	$2.16M
95	$2.16M	+$130K	-$89K	$2.20M

Years Money Will Last

40 \text{years}

At 4.80% withdrawal rate, your $1.00M will last approximately 40 years, outlasting your target.

For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.

💡 Money Facts

💰

4% rule: historically lasts 30+ years in 95% of market scenarios.

📊

Delaying Social Security from 62 to 70 increases benefits by 76%.

📈

Sequence of returns: poor early years hurt more than poor later years.

🏦

Withdrawal rate = (Annual Withdrawal ÷ Savings) × 100. Target 4% or less.

📋 Key Takeaways

• 4% rule — Withdrawing 4% of initial savings, adjusted for inflation, historically lasts 30+ years in 95% of market scenarios.
• Withdrawal rate = (Annual Withdrawal ÷ Savings) × 100. Target 4% or less for long-term sustainability.
• Social Security and other income dramatically extend savings. Delaying SS from 62 to 70 increases benefits by 76%.
• Sequence of returns risk — Poor returns early in retirement are far more damaging than poor returns later.

💡 Did You Know?

📊

The 4% rule was developed by William Bengen in 1994 based on historical market data from 1926–1992.

— Bengen (1994)

💰

A 4% withdrawal on $1M equals $40K/year or $3,333/month. Most retirees need 70–80% of pre-retirement income.

— Fidelity / industry

📈

Investment returns of 5–7% annually can offset withdrawals and extend portfolio longevity significantly.

— Historical market data

🏛️

Average Social Security benefit at full retirement age (67) is about $1,907/month in 2024.

— SSA.gov

⚠️

Withdrawal rates above 5% have high failure risk—money often runs out before age 90.

— Trinity Study updates

🔄

Dynamic withdrawal strategies that adjust based on portfolio performance can allow higher initial withdrawals.

— Modern retirement research

📖 How It Works

We project your savings year-by-year: apply investment returns to the balance, then subtract withdrawals. When additional income (e.g., Social Security) starts, it reduces the amount needed from savings. Withdrawals increase each year by your inflation rate. The calculation continues until savings reach zero or past your target age.

Each Year

Balance + Returns − Withdrawals = New Balance. Withdrawals grow by inflation rate annually.

Key Assumptions

Stocks 7–10% historical return; bonds 3–5%; inflation 2–3%; safe withdrawal 4%.

🎯 Expert Tips

Delay Social Security. Each year from 62 to 70 increases benefits 6–8%. At 70 you get 76% more than at 62.

Flexible withdrawals. Reduce by 10–20% during market downturns to dramatically improve longevity.

Part-time work. Even $1,000/month can extend savings by 5–10 years.

Downsize housing. Freeing home equity can add 5+ years to retirement.

⚖️ Withdrawal Rate Comparison

Withdrawal Rate	Risk Level	Typical Outcome
≤ 4%	Low	Lasts 30+ years in most scenarios
4–5%	Moderate	Higher failure risk in bad sequences
> 5%	High	Money often runs out before age 90

❓ FAQ

What is the 4% rule?

Withdraw 4% of your initial retirement savings in year one, then adjust that dollar amount for inflation each year. Historically, this lasted 30+ years in 95% of market scenarios (Bengen 1994).

Should I use 4% or less?

Many advisors now suggest 3–3.5% for extra safety, especially with low interest rates or 40+ year retirements. Use 4% as a starting point and adjust based on your situation.

How does Social Security affect the calculation?

Social Security reduces the amount you need from savings. The calculator subtracts SS from your withdrawal need once it starts, extending how long your portfolio lasts.

What is sequence of returns risk?

Poor returns early in retirement (e.g., 2000–2002) force you to sell more shares when prices are low, accelerating depletion. Good returns early let your portfolio grow despite withdrawals.

How can I make my money last longer?

Delay Social Security, reduce withdrawals in down years, keep 2–3 years expenses in cash, consider part-time work, and be willing to cut spending if needed.

What if my money runs out before my target age?

Reduce monthly withdrawal to the 4% safe level, delay Social Security, work longer, downsize, or increase investment returns (with appropriate risk).

Safe withdrawal rule

30+

Years at 4% (historical)

76%

SS increase 62→70

$1,907

Avg SS at 67 (2024)

📚 Official Sources

Social Security Administration — Benefits & planning Investopedia — 4% Rule explained Bureau of Labor Statistics — Inflation data

⚠️ Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Withdrawal sustainability depends on market returns, inflation, and your specific situation. Consult a financial advisor for personalized retirement planning.

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⬅️Jump in and explore the concept!

How Long Will Money Last — Retirement Withdrawal & 4% Rule

📊 Sample Scenarios — Click to Load

Savings & Withdrawals

Age & Additional Income

Portfolio Balance Over Time

Withdrawals vs Returns

Total Flow Breakdown

Withdrawal Rate Analysis

💡 Recommendations

📝 Calculation Summary

📅 Year-by-Year Projection

Years Money Will Last

💡 Money Facts

📋 Key Takeaways

💡 Did You Know?

📖 How It Works

Each Year

Key Assumptions

🎯 Expert Tips

⚖️ Withdrawal Rate Comparison

❓ FAQ

What is the 4% rule?

Should I use 4% or less?

How does Social Security affect the calculation?

What is sequence of returns risk?

How can I make my money last longer?

What if my money runs out before my target age?

📚 Official Sources

⚠️ Disclaimer

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How Long Will Money Last — Retirement Withdrawal & 4% Rule

📊 Sample Scenarios — Click to Load

Savings & Withdrawals

Age & Additional Income

Portfolio Balance Over Time

Withdrawals vs Returns

Total Flow Breakdown

Withdrawal Rate Analysis

💡 Recommendations

📝 Calculation Summary

📅 Year-by-Year Projection

Years Money Will Last

💡 Money Facts

📋 Key Takeaways

💡 Did You Know?

📖 How It Works

Each Year

Key Assumptions

🎯 Expert Tips

⚖️ Withdrawal Rate Comparison

❓ FAQ

What is the 4% rule?

Should I use 4% or less?

How does Social Security affect the calculation?

What is sequence of returns risk?

How can I make my money last longer?

What if my money runs out before my target age?

📚 Official Sources

⚠️ Disclaimer

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Checkbook Balancer Calculator

Cost Of Living Comparison Calculator

Current Cash Flow Calculator

Emergency Fund Calculator

Historical Inflation Calculator

Inflation Impact Calculator

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