How Long Will My Money Last Calculator
Enter your savings, monthly withdrawal, and rates. See the exact depletion date — or whether the money outlives you.
| Total you will withdraw | — |
| Growth earned along the way | — |
| Withdrawal in the final year | — |
The three-force race
Your balance fights withdrawals while growth replenishes it and inflation silently raises the withdrawal every year. $300,000 with $2,500/month at 5% growth and 2.7% inflation lasts about 12 years — without the inflation adjustment it would falsely promise nearly 13.5, which is why cheap calculators overestimate.
Each month: balance × (1 + growth) − inflation-grown withdrawal
The break-even withdrawal
If yearly withdrawals stay below what growth adds (roughly balance × real return), money lasts forever. $300,000 at a 5% return with 2.7% inflation sustains about $575/month indefinitely — everything above that spends principal and starts the clock. That is the line between income and drawdown.
Common uses beyond retirement
- Career break / sabbatical: how long savings fund a gap year at real monthly costs.
- Job loss runway: emergency fund ÷ true monthly burn — the number that decides how picky a job search can afford to be.
- Inheritance or windfall pacing: what monthly draw makes it last to a target date.
- Supporting a family member: pacing multi-year help without surprise depletion.
Frequently asked questions
How long will $300,000 last at $2,500 a month?
About 12 years with 5% growth and 2.7% inflation on the withdrawal. Ignoring inflation overstates it by more than a year — always include it.
How much can I withdraw so money never runs out?
Stay below the real return: balance × (growth − inflation) ÷ 12. On $300,000 at 5% growth / 2.7% inflation, about $575/month sustains indefinitely.
What return should I assume while withdrawing?
Money being spent within years belongs in conservative assets: 4–5% is a reasonable planning return for a balanced drawdown portfolio, 3–4% for a very safe one. Using stock-market 10% on money you are draining is how plans fail.
Does this account for taxes?
No — withdrawals from traditional retirement accounts are taxable income, so gross withdrawals must exceed spending needs. From regular savings, only the growth portion is taxed.
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Last updated: 2026-07-08