Base case
Use the monthly withdrawal you expect to need most months and a conservative return assumption.
Savings withdrawal calculator
How Long Will My Money Last? Savings Withdrawal Calculator
Estimate how long a savings balance may last when you take fixed monthly withdrawals. The calculator applies an assumed monthly return, subtracts the withdrawal, and shows when the balance may run out under the inputs you choose.
Updated: June 10, 2026
Estimate savings duration
Estimated duration—
Total withdrawn—
Final balance—
Live withdrawal scenario comparison
Flexible withdrawal—
Current inputs—
Stress withdrawal—
Drawdown breakdown insight
This insight updates to compare withdrawals, remaining balance, and depletion risk.
Total withdrawn—
Final balance—
How this savings withdrawal calculator works
The calculator starts with your entered balance, applies the assumed annual return as a monthly rate, subtracts the fixed monthly withdrawal, and repeats the cycle until the balance reaches zero or the model reaches a 100-year cap. The result answers a narrow question: under a steady return and fixed withdrawal, about how long could the starting balance support the withdrawal?
This makes the page useful for quick “how long will my money last calculator” scenarios, but the simplicity is also the main limitation. Real accounts can have uneven returns, different tax treatment, fees, changing spending, and required distribution rules that this tool does not attempt to reproduce. Inflation can also make a fixed nominal withdrawal feel larger or smaller over time, even when the monthly number stays the same.
Scenario examples
Stress case
Lower the return or raise the withdrawal to see how quickly the estimate changes.
Flexible case
Reduce discretionary withdrawals for a few years to see whether flexibility meaningfully extends the balance.
Formula and method
For each month, the model uses this sequence:
- Monthly return rate = annual return ÷ 12.
- Updated balance before withdrawal = prior balance × (1 + monthly return rate).
- New balance = updated balance − monthly withdrawal.
- The loop repeats until the remaining balance is depleted.
If the monthly return generated by the starting balance is enough to cover the monthly withdrawal, the calculator may show “May not deplete.” That only means the simplified steady-rate model does not run out; it does not mean the money is guaranteed to last forever.
Worked example: fixed monthly withdrawals
Suppose a savings balance starts at $50,000, the planned withdrawal is $1,000 per month, and the assumed annual return is 2%. The calculator applies about 0.1667% monthly return, then subtracts each withdrawal. Because the withdrawal is much larger than the monthly earnings, the balance gradually declines until it reaches zero.
Changing one input can move the result quickly. A larger withdrawal shortens the duration. A lower return shortens the duration. A higher starting balance extends the duration. For retirement-style questions, it is usually better to run several scenarios instead of relying on one precise-looking answer.
How to interpret the duration
The estimated duration shows how long the starting balance may support the fixed monthly withdrawal under the return assumption entered. It can help compare scenarios, such as $800 versus $1,200 per month, or 0% versus 3% assumed annual return.
A longer duration is not automatically “safe,” and a shorter duration is not automatically “wrong.” The output needs context: emergency reserves, flexible spending, inflation, taxes, account type, and other income sources can all change what the number means. Treat the result as a cash-flow illustration and compare it with the how long will my money last guide before using it in a larger plan.
If you are comparing cash savings with money market or CD alternatives, start with the yield pages first and then come back here for the drawdown question. The money market calculator, money market interest calculator, and APR to APY calculator can help you confirm the rate assumption before you model withdrawals.
Withdrawal scenarios to test
Base spending
Use the monthly amount you expect to withdraw most months. This creates a neutral reference case.
Stress case
Increase the withdrawal or lower the return to see what happens if expenses rise or returns disappoint.
Flexible spending case
Lower discretionary withdrawals for a few years to understand how spending flexibility may extend the estimate.
If the stress case collapses quickly, the balance may only be sustainable with a smaller withdrawal, a different asset mix, or a lower spending plan. If the flexible case extends the duration a lot, then monthly spending is probably the biggest lever in the estimate.
What this estimate excludes
This tool does not include investment volatility, sequence-of-returns risk, inflation-adjusted withdrawals, taxes, account fees, required distributions, early-withdrawal penalties, emergency withdrawals, pension income, Social Security, employer plan rules, or changing living costs. It also does not recommend a withdrawal rate or decide whether a withdrawal plan is appropriate.
For more context, read savings withdrawal concepts, compare accumulation with the retirement savings calculator, and use the inflation calculator to see how purchasing power can change over time.
Common mistakes when asking how long savings will last
- Treating a steady return as if it will happen every month.
- Ignoring inflation when the withdrawal period may last many years.
- Forgetting that taxes, account fees, and penalties can reduce spendable cash.
- Using one optimistic return assumption instead of testing lower-return cases.
- Leaving no buffer for medical, housing, family, or emergency expenses.
- Using a calculator result as a personalized retirement plan.
Related tools and guides
Use the retirement savings calculator to estimate savings before withdrawals begin, the compound interest calculator for growth before drawdown, the savings goal calculator for contribution targets, the how long will my money last guide for scenario interpretation, and savings withdrawal concepts for risk and assumption context.
FAQ
How long will my money last if I withdraw monthly?
It depends on the starting balance, withdrawal amount, return assumption, and whether expenses change. This calculator estimates the duration for a fixed monthly withdrawal and steady monthly return.
Does this calculator include inflation?
No. The withdrawal stays fixed in nominal dollars. If your spending rises with inflation, run higher-withdrawal scenarios or compare the result with the inflation calculator.
Is this the same as a retirement withdrawal calculator?
It can illustrate a retirement-style drawdown, but it is not a full retirement calculator. It does not model taxes, market volatility, Social Security, pensions, account rules, or professional planning considerations.
What does “May not deplete” mean?
It means the fixed withdrawal is less than or equal to the modeled monthly return in this simplified scenario. It is not a guarantee because real returns and account rules can change.
Should I use a high return assumption?
Use conservative and stress-test assumptions as well as any baseline case. A high return can make money appear to last longer, but it may hide volatility, fees, inflation, or spending risk.
How to read this estimate
The result is an educational estimate based only on the inputs shown on this page. It is useful for comparing assumptions, spotting sensitivity to spending, and understanding the formula, but it is not a recommendation or a guarantee.
Before using a result for a real decision, compare it with account statements, official plan documents, tax rules, fees, inflation expectations, and any professional guidance that applies. See How We Calculate and the Disclaimer for more context.
Scenario comparison
Withdrawal duration estimates are most useful when they are compared side by side. The live comparison above keeps your starting balance and return assumption the same, then compares a lower flexible withdrawal, your current input, and a higher stress withdrawal. This makes the result less dependent on a single precise-looking number.
Use the flexible case to see how much time could be added by trimming discretionary spending. Use the stress case to see how quickly the estimate can shrink if expenses rise, a household income gap lasts longer than expected, or irregular costs become monthly withdrawals. If a small withdrawal change moves the result by several months or years, the plan is sensitive to spending assumptions.
Flexible withdrawal
Tests a lower monthly withdrawal to show how reducing spending can extend the estimate.
Current inputs
Uses the exact monthly withdrawal and annual return entered in the calculator form.
Stress withdrawal
Tests a higher withdrawal to show how faster spending can shorten the drawdown period.
Result quality checklist
- The monthly withdrawal includes realistic recurring expenses, not only ideal spending.
- At least one lower-return or 0% return scenario has been checked.
- Inflation, taxes, account fees, penalties, and required distribution rules are reviewed outside this simple model.
- The result is compared with the how long will my money last guide before being used in a larger plan.
- Short-term cash reserves and long-term retirement drawdowns are not treated as the same risk profile.
Related calculators
Use the retirement savings calculator for accumulation before withdrawals, the compound interest calculator for general growth assumptions, the inflation calculator for purchasing-power context, and the money market calculator for cash-yield scenarios before drawdown begins.
Why compare lower and higher withdrawal cases?
Because the withdrawal amount is usually the most controllable input. Testing both directions shows whether the estimate is stable or highly sensitive to monthly spending.