CalcLibrary

Savings Withdrawal Calculator

Estimate how long your savings last when you start drawing from them every month. Set a starting balance, monthly withdrawal, expected return, optional annual step-up, start month, and an optional target horizon.

Currency
Drawdown setup
$
$
Return and step-up
%
%
Calendar and step-up
Optional target horizon
Examples

A two-year break funded from savings with modest portfolio growth and flat spending.

Time until depletion
2y 4m
Depletion month
April
Depletion year
2028
Balance at target horizon
$16,248.17
Total withdrawn by target horizon
$108,000.00
Total growth by target horizon
$4,248.17

Projection only — results depend entirely on your return and withdrawal assumptions. Not financial, tax, or retirement advice.

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Examples

How It Works

Formula

Bt=Bt−1×(1+r12)−WtB_t = B_{t-1} \times \left(1 + \frac{r}{12}\right) - W_t

Wt=W0×(1+g)⌊t−112⌋W_t = W_0 \times (1 + g)^{\left\lfloor \frac{t-1}{12} \right\rfloor}

Variables

BtB_t

Balance after month t(currency)

Bt−1B_{t-1}

Balance at the end of the previous month(currency)

rr

Expected annual return rate(%)

WtW_t

Withdrawal taken in month t(currency/month)

W0W_0

Starting monthly withdrawal(currency/month)

gg

Annual withdrawal increase rate(%)

Enter your savings balance, monthly withdrawal, expected annual return, optional annual withdrawal increase, and a start month and year. The calculator then projects the balance forward one month at a time so the result stays honest in flat-return, negative-return, and rising-withdrawal scenarios.

Month-by-month drawdown method:

  1. Start with the current balance.
  2. Apply one month of growth: Bt−1×(1+r/12)B_{t-1} \times (1 + r/12).
  3. Subtract that month’s planned withdrawal.
  4. If you entered an annual withdrawal increase, raise the monthly withdrawal once every 12 months.
  5. Repeat until the balance reaches zero or the model reaches 100 years.

If you enter a target duration, the calculator also records the balance or shortfall at that checkpoint without hiding the full depletion result.

Frequently Asked Questions

01How does the calculator decide when the money runs out?
It runs a month-by-month simulation. Each month the remaining balance earns that month’s growth, then the withdrawal is taken out. The loop stops when the balance reaches zero or below, or when the 100-year model cap is reached.
02What does the annual withdrawal increase do?
It increases the monthly withdrawal once every 12 months. A 2% step-up means month 13 onward uses 102% of the starting withdrawal, month 25 onward uses 104.04%, and so on.
03Why does the calculator show month and year instead of an exact date?
This is a planning tool for runway questions, not a day-precision cash ledger. The model anchors the answer to a start month and year because “around March 2031” is usually the useful decision point.
04What if the balance does not run out within the modeled horizon?
The calculator says so directly instead of inventing a depletion date. In that case, the assumptions you entered keep the balance above zero throughout the 100-year cap.
05How should I use the optional target duration?
Use it as a checkpoint. You still get the full depletion answer, but the target horizon also tells you whether the plan survives to that point and, if not, how large the shortfall is by then.

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