What withdrawal rate should I use in retirement?

Many people test scenarios around 3% to 4%, but the right withdrawal rate depends on retirement age, portfolio mix, market returns, taxes, longevity, and willingness to adjust spending.

Does this calculator include taxes or RMDs?

No. It does not include taxes, required minimum distributions, account types, Social Security, pensions, healthcare costs, fees, or sequence-of-returns risk.

Does the calculator adjust withdrawals for inflation?

Yes. The calculator increases the annual withdrawal by your inflation assumption each year after the first year.

Retirement Income Withdrawal Calculator: How Long Will Savings Last?

Q: How long will my retirement savings last?

It depends on your starting balance, withdrawal amount, investment returns, inflation, taxes, fees, and spending flexibility. This calculator provides a simplified year-by-year estimate.

Published: June 19, 2026 · Updated: June 19, 2026 · Maintained by: WealthScope Hub Editorial Team

How this calculator works

The calculator runs a simplified year-by-year retirement withdrawal simulation. Each year, the balance grows by the expected return you enter, then the annual withdrawal is subtracted. After the first year, the withdrawal increases by your inflation assumption.

year-end balance = starting balance x (1 + return) - annual withdrawal

next withdrawal = current withdrawal x (1 + inflation)

Worked example

If you start with $1,200,000 and withdraw $48,000 in the first year, your first-year withdrawal rate is 4%. If withdrawals rise by 2.5% per year and the portfolio earns 5% per year, the calculator estimates whether the balance lasts through the selected scenario length.

What this does not model

This is intentionally simple. It does not model taxes, Social Security, pensions, account order, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, healthcare costs, long-term care, investment fees, market volatility, or bad-return years early in retirement. Those details can materially change the real result.

Related tools & guides

Withdrawal framework: How to withdraw money in retirement
Pre-retirement target: Retirement Savings Goal Calculator
Account choices: Roth vs Traditional IRA Calculator

Frequently asked questions

How long will my retirement savings last?

It depends on your starting balance, withdrawals, investment returns, inflation, taxes, fees, and spending flexibility. This tool is only a rough scenario model.

What withdrawal rate should I use?

Many people test 3% to 4% scenarios, but there is no universal rate. A lower rate is more conservative but requires more savings or lower spending.

Does this include taxes or RMDs?

No. It excludes taxes, RMDs, account types, Social Security, pensions, fees, healthcare costs, and sequence-of-returns risk.

Does it adjust withdrawals for inflation?

Yes. After year one, withdrawals increase annually by the inflation assumption you enter.

Important note

This page is educational only and is not financial, investment, retirement, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Retirement income planning can be affected by tax law, RMD rules, Social Security claiming, pensions, healthcare costs, market volatility, inflation, and household needs. Consider testing multiple assumptions and consulting a qualified professional before making major retirement decisions.