SWP Calculator (Systematic Withdrawals)
Will you outlive your money? Input your retirement nest egg, monthly living expenses, and expected return to find out exactly how long your portfolio will last before hitting zero.
Last updated: March 2, 2026
Adjust your withdrawal amount in the calculator. A reduction of just $500 per month can often extend the life of a retirement portfolio by 10 to 15 years.
Is The 4% Rule Still Safe?
The famous "Trinity Study" established the 4% withdrawal rule in the 1990s. But modern retirees need to understand the nuances of systematic withdrawals before trusting a rule of thumb.
The Perpetual Motion Machine
If your withdrawal rate is strictly lower than your real, after-inflation return rate, your money technically lasts forever. For instance, withdrawing 3% from a portfolio that consistently earns 5% means your principal continues to grow even while you take an income. This is the ultimate goal of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement.
The Danger of Flat Averages
This calculator assumes a constant return rate every year. In reality, markets fluctuate. If a severe recession occurs in the first 3 years of your retirement, you may run out of money much faster than the calculator predicts, because you are depleting shares at low prices. To be safe, test your plan with a conservative expected return rate (e.g., 4% to 5% rather than a historical 8% average).
Frequently Asked Questions
Help Someone Plan Their Retirement
Share this systematic withdrawal calculator with friends or family planning to retire soon so they can run the numbers on their own savings.
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