Retirement Withdrawal Longevity Estimator (2025)
Estimate how long your retirement savings will last based on withdrawal rate, investment growth, and inflation, and find your sustainable spending level.
What This Calculator Does
This estimator helps retirees and pre-retirees determine how long their retirement savings will last based on spending patterns, investment returns, and inflation.
It's designed to help you identify a safe withdrawal rate that sustains income through your lifetime.
The 4% Rule Explained
The "4% rule" suggests you can withdraw 4% of your savings annually, adjusted for inflation, without running out of money for at least 30 years.
However, real-world longevity, inflation, and market volatility mean this number often needs fine-tuning, this tool visualizes that balance.
Factors That Affect Your Longevity
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Investment Return | Higher returns extend longevity |
| Inflation | Reduces real spending power |
| Withdrawal Rate | Biggest determinant of sustainability |
| Social Security / Pension | Reduces dependency on savings |
| Unexpected Costs | Health care, home repairs, family support can shorten runway |
Average Retirement Costs (U.S., 2025)
| Expense Type | Average Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,650 | Rent/mortgage, maintenance |
| Healthcare | $950 | Medicare + out-of-pocket |
| Food & Essentials | $850 | |
| Travel & Leisure | $450 | |
| Miscellaneous | $350 | |
| Total (Typical Couple) | $4,300–$5,200 | Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2025) |
Example Scenarios
- • 5% return, 3% inflation
- • $750,000 savings
- • $4,500 expenses
- → Savings last 27.8 years
- • 3% return, 3% inflation
- • Same inputs
- → Savings last only 21.5 years
- • 6% vs 2% inflation
- → Longevity = 35.2 years
How to Extend Retirement Savings
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What's a "safe" withdrawal rate?
A: Historically 4%, but 3.5% is safer for long retirements or low-return environments.
Q2: Does this calculator adjust for inflation?
A: Yes, it factors inflation into real spending power over time.
Q3: What if I receive Social Security?
A: You can include it in the "pension income" field to extend longevity.
Q4: Should I include investment growth?
A: Yes, realistic return assumptions (3–6%) provide a more accurate projection.