Retirement Withdrawal Longevity Calculator
How many years your savings last at a given annual withdrawal and return.
Every calculation runs locally in your browser. Real returns vary year to year and inflation erodes a fixed withdrawal's purchasing power — this models a constant return and constant nominal withdrawal, not real-world sequencing risk.
Current withdrawal rate
4%
This balance never depletes.
At this withdrawal amount, investment growth covers the withdrawal every year — the balance holds steady or grows instead of shrinking.
For informational and educational purposes only — not financial, investment, or tax advice, and not a substitute for consulting a qualified professional about your specific situation. TrueMeasureKit is not liable for decisions made based on these results. See our Terms of Service.
Where the "4% rule" comes from
The widely cited 4% withdrawal rate comes from historical research suggesting a portfolio withdrawing 4% of its starting balance annually (adjusted for inflation) has historically lasted 30 years across most market conditions. It's a rule of thumb calibrated to worst-case historical sequences, not a guarantee — a higher withdrawal rate depletes savings faster, and a lower one leaves more room for market downturns. To work in the other direction — how much you'd need saved to support a given withdrawal — see the retirement savings calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does this account for market volatility during retirement?
No — it assumes a constant annual return, so it won't capture sequence-of-returns risk (the danger of a market downturn early in retirement). Treat the result as a simplified estimate, not a guarantee your savings will last exactly that long.
What withdrawal rate keeps money lasting indefinitely?
Roughly, a withdrawal rate at or below your assumed annual return (after inflation) can theoretically sustain the balance indefinitely, since growth replaces what you withdraw — this calculator shows exactly how the numbers play out for your inputs.