How it works

Each month your pot earns a return and then you take a withdrawal out of it. The calculator steps through month by month — balance = balance × (1 + monthly return) − withdrawal — until the money is gone, so growth and drawdown are handled together rather than with a rough average.

If your monthly growth already covers the withdrawal, the pot never shrinks and it lasts indefinitely — shown as “Forever.”

Worked example

A $500,000 pot earning 5% a year while you withdraw $3,000 a month lasts about 24 years. Lowering the withdrawal or raising the return can push it to “Forever.”

Frequently asked questions

What does 'Forever' mean?
It means the return your savings earn each month is at least as large as your withdrawal, so the balance holds steady or grows and never runs out.

Does it account for inflation?
No — withdrawals are held constant. To account for rising costs, re-run it periodically with a higher withdrawal, or pair it with the inflation calculator.

Is this financial advice?
No. It's a planning estimate. Real returns vary year to year, so treat the result as a guide, not a guarantee.