The scariest unknown in retirement isn’t how big your nest egg is — it’s whether it outlasts you. This calculator spends your savings down year by year at the lifestyle you choose, accounting for Social Security and inflation, and tells you the age your money would run low.
It’s set up for someone retiring at 65 with $500,000, spending $45,000 a year. Change the balance, spending, and other income to see how the runway shifts.
What determines how long it lasts
Three things dominate: how much you spend, how much guaranteed income you have, and the returns your remaining balance earns. Spending is the lever you control most directly — trimming it even modestly can add many years, because you’re both withdrawing less and leaving more invested to grow.
Inflation quietly works against you, raising the dollar cost of the same lifestyle each year. The calculator shows everything in today’s money and inflates your withdrawals automatically, so the depletion age you see is realistic rather than rosy.
Sequence-of-returns risk
Two retirees with identical average returns can have very different outcomes if the order differs. A few bad market years right after you retire — while your balance is largest and you’re withdrawing from it — does lasting damage, because there’s less left to recover when markets rebound.
That’s why early retirees often keep a cash buffer to avoid selling investments in a downturn, and stay flexible on spending in weak years. The same nest egg lasts far longer when withdrawals flex with the market.
Making your money last longer
The highest-leverage moves are spending a little less, delaying Social Security for a bigger lifelong check, and keeping a year or two of expenses in cash so you’re never a forced seller. Part-time income early in retirement is especially powerful — it cuts withdrawals exactly when they hurt most.
Use the what-if chips above to test these on your own numbers; small, permanent changes often add a decade to the runway.
Frequently asked questions
How long will $500,000 last in retirement?
It depends on your spending and other income. Spending $45,000 a year with Social Security alongside, $500,000 can last well into your 80s or beyond. Enter your own figures above to see the projected age it runs low.
What withdrawal rate makes my money last?
A starting balance withdrawn at about 4% a year (adjusted for inflation) is generally designed to last 30+ years. Lower rates last longer; higher rates risk running out sooner. You can adjust the rate in the assumptions.
What is sequence-of-returns risk?
It’s the danger that poor market returns early in retirement — when your balance is largest and you’re drawing from it — permanently shorten how long your money lasts, even if average returns are fine. Cash buffers and flexible spending reduce it.
How can I make my retirement savings last longer?
Spend a bit less, delay Social Security for a larger benefit, keep a cash buffer to avoid selling in downturns, and consider part-time income early on. Each move meaningfully extends the runway.
Worked examples
Each scenario below is computed by the same retirement engine that powers the interactive calculator above — no hand-typed numbers.
$500k nest egg, moderate spending
Retiree at 65 with $500,000, $2,000/month Social Security, spending $65,000/year — how many years does the portfolio last?
Projected nest egg
$500,000
Required (today's $)
$943,626
Funded ratio
53%
Monthly income
$3,667/mo
$500k must cover $41,000/year after Social Security. At 5% post-retirement return, the portfolio lasts into the mid-70s — revealing an uncomfortable longevity gap.
$1.2M nest egg, lower spending
Retiree at 65 with $1.2M, $2,500/month SS, spending $70,000/year — with a generously funded plan, the money likely lasts well past life expectancy.
Projected nest egg
$1,200,000
Required (today's $)
$920,611
Funded ratio
130%
Monthly income
$6,500/mo
$1.2M covering $40,000/year net of Social Security represents a 3.3% withdrawal rate — comfortably within the 4% safe zone, with money likely lasting beyond age 90.
More retirement questions
How do I make sure I don't run out of money in retirement?
The three main strategies are: (1) enter retirement with a funded ratio above 1.0 — meaning more than you need, (2) maintain spending flexibility to reduce draws during down markets, and (3) guarantee a floor of income that covers essential spending via Social Security, pensions, or annuities. The 4% rule is a guideline, not a guarantee — a 90%+ Monte Carlo success rate is a more rigorous target.
How long does $500,000 last in retirement?
It depends on your spending and other income. At $2,000/month Social Security and $65,000/year total spending, your portfolio must cover $41,000/year. At a 5% post-retirement return, $500,000 supporting $41,000/year typically lasts 14–17 years. Enter your specific numbers in the calculator above for the exact duration.
What this calculator does — and does not — compute
Retirement projections involve inputs that come from government agencies, employers, and tax rules this tool cannot access. Here is exactly what you are providing versus what this calculator handles on its own.
- 1.Social Security is not calculated here. You enter your own monthly estimate in the “Other monthly income” field. This tool does not access your earnings record or apply Social Security benefit formulas. To get your actual personalized estimate, create a free account at ssa.gov/myaccount.
- 2.Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are not modeled. The drawdown projection shows balance depletion under your stated withdrawal rate, but it does not enforce IRS RMD schedules (which begin at age 73 for most accounts) or calculate RMD amounts from IRS life-expectancy tables. If RMDs apply to you, actual withdrawals may differ from the projection shown.
- 3.Pension income is an input you provide, not a computed output. If you have a defined-benefit pension, enter your expected monthly payment in “Other monthly income.” This tool does not compute pension formulas (FERS, CalPERS, military, state, or private plan formulas) and does not connect to any employer or government pension system.
- 4.Withdrawal tax treatment is simplified and illustrative. The projection shows gross withdrawals from your portfolio. It does not calculate federal or state income taxes on traditional 401k or IRA distributions, does not model Roth tax treatment, and does not account for RMD-driven bracket changes. Actual after-tax income will differ. For tax planning specific to your situation, consult a qualified tax professional.
- 5.Any depletion result is a projection, not a guarantee. “How long your money lasts” and similar outputs are calculated under your stated return rate, inflation rate, and spending assumptions. Actual outcomes depend on market performance, sequence of returns, unexpected expenses, and life events that cannot be modeled in advance. A projection is a planning tool, not a promise.
This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice.