How Long Will My Money Last Calculator
See how many years or months your nest egg lasts at a fixed monthly withdrawal, with optional return and inflation. Planning tool—not financial advice.
FAQ for this calculator
- Does this include taxes?
- No—withdrawals are gross. Tax on IRA/401(k) or capital gains would shorten runway in real life.
- What if returns vary each year?
- We use a constant average return. Bad early years (sequence risk) can deplete funds faster than this model shows.
- Can money last forever?
- If withdrawals are small relative to returns, the model shows 100+ years—meaning the portfolio may not deplete.
- Is this financial advice?
- No—use for rough planning only and consult a qualified advisor.
How to use the money last calculator
Each month the balance earns return, pays a withdrawal, and the withdrawal grows with inflation—until the balance hits zero or 100 years pass.
- Enter total savings or portfolio value.
- Set monthly spending in today’s dollars.
- Add expected return and inflation rates.
When to use this calculator
- Testing the 4% rule with your actual balance and spending.
- FIRE planning: how long a $500k portfolio lasts at $3k/month.
- Seeing whether lower spending extends runway dramatically.
Examples & walkthrough
- $500,000, $3,000/mo, 5% return, 2.5% inflation → often ~15–20 years (varies).
- Zero return and $4,000/mo on $400,000 → about 100 months.