Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator
Sustainable annual retirement withdrawal amount.
Enter your values
Enter the retirement portfolio value in $.
Enter the withdrawal rate in %.
Enter the expected annual inflation in %.
Enter the years to project in years.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Year 1 annual withdrawal
- $48,000.00
- Year 1 monthly withdrawal
- $4,000.00
- Inflation-adjusted withdrawal in year 10
- $62,629.11
- Portfolio needed for this rate to fund $60k/yr
- $1,500,000.00
Quick answer
The classic 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjusting for inflation each year after, aiming to make savings last 30 years.
Annual withdrawal = portfolio value x withdrawal rate
At a glance
| What it does | Sustainable annual retirement withdrawal amount. |
|---|---|
| Category | Finance |
| Inputs needed | Retirement portfolio value, Withdrawal rate, Expected annual inflation, Years to project |
| Main output | Year 1 annual withdrawal |
| Formula | Annual withdrawal = portfolio value x withdrawal rate |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator
- 1Enter your total retirement portfolio value.
- 2Choose a withdrawal rate — 4% is the traditional benchmark, though 3-3.5% is often used for more conservative plans.
- 3See year-one withdrawal and how it grows with assumed inflation.
Inputs explained
- Retirement portfolio value($)
- Enter the retirement portfolio value in $.
- Withdrawal rate(%)
- Enter the withdrawal rate in %.
- Expected annual inflation(%)
- Enter the expected annual inflation in %.
- Years to project(years)
- Enter the years to project in years.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Retirement portfolio value1200000 $
- Withdrawal rate4 %
- Expected annual inflation3 %
- Years to project10 years
Results
- Year 1 annual withdrawal$48,000.00
- Year 1 monthly withdrawal$4,000.00
- Inflation-adjusted withdrawal in year 10$62,629.11
- Portfolio needed for this rate to fund $60k/yr$1,500,000.00
Frequently asked questions
Is the 4% rule still valid?
It's debated — some research suggests a more conservative 3-3.5% rate for very long retirements or low-return environments.
Does this guarantee my money lasts?
No — actual sustainability depends on market returns sequence, inflation and portfolio allocation over the retirement period.
What do I need to enter into the Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator?
Just 4 values: retirement portfolio value, withdrawal rate, expected annual inflation, years to project. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator work out the answer?
The classic 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjusting for inflation each year after, aiming to make savings last 30 years. It applies the formula Annual withdrawal = portfolio value x withdrawal rate and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.