How Long Will My Money Last Calculator (2024)

You work hard for your money but will it last into retirement? Use this calculator to find out if you're saving enough.

How Long Will My Money Last Calculator (1)

How Long Will My Money Last Calculator

Our calculator provides a quick estimate of how long your money will last. But it's not the whole story.

Many different variables can take a toll on your savings. This includes investment returns, inflation, world events, and surprise expenses.

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Keep reading for smart ways to make your money last longer.

How long will a lump sum last?
If your money's not earning any interest, just enter 0% for the annual rate of return. Then you'll see how much your lump sum will stretch.

How long will my money last using the 4% rule?

The 4% rule shows you how to withdraw your retirement savings at a safe, sustainable rate.

Here's how it works:

  • Invest at least 50% of your money in stocks and the rest in bonds
  • Figure out how much you need for basic expenses, like housing and food
  • Make sure you can cover these expenses with guaranteed income, such as Social Security, bond ladders or an annuity
  • During retirement, withdraw 4% out of your savings the first year
  • With each successive year, take out that same dollar amount plus an inflation adjustment

The 4% rule remains a safe withdrawal rate even during the worst market downturns. This strategy was based on research by William Bergen. He tested his theory across different recessions, even the Great Depression, and discovered 4% was a safe withdrawal rate.

The 4% rule can help your money last even longer than 30 years of retirement. Since you don't have to sell stocks during markets, your savings can last for the long haul.

What about inflation?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a common measure of inflation. From 1925 to 2020, the long-term inflation rate averaged 2.9% annually. For 2020, the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the CPI as 1.2%. This rate will affect your distribution's purchasing power.

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When will your money run out?

In the next three examples, let's assume the following:

  • You'll withdraw $3,000 every month
  • Your federal marginal tax bracket is 25%
  • The annual rate of return on your savings is 8%
  • You may increase your withdrawal amount by 4% per year
  1. How long will $500,000 last in retirement?
    Your money is projected to last approximately 16 years with monthly withdrawals totaling $828,251.
  2. How long will $800,000 last in retirement?
    Your money is projected to last approximately 30 years with monthly withdrawals totaling $2,024,574.
  3. How long will $1,500,000 last in retirement?
    Your money is projected to stretch beyond 30 years and you'll be able to make monthly withdrawals beyond $4,000,000.

How to Stretch Your Nest Egg

  1. Protecting your assets with a life insurance policy
  2. Consider delaying retirement to maximize your Social Security
  3. Make modest cuts in spending
  4. Downsize your living situation, if possible
  5. Consolidate your investments to cut down on fees (review our recommended brokerages)

How confident are you in your long-term financial plan?

Retirement readiness checklist

The average retirement age is 65. But everyone's timeline is different.

Do you want to leave your corporate job for something more flexible? Focus on hobbies? Or travel the world and work in spurts?

Here are a few smart money moves that'll help you reach your goals - no matter what they look like.

  1. Determine your retirement spending needs
    You can use a free tool from Empower to find out. Their Retirement Planner aggregates your spending history and portfolio to forecast how likely you'd be able to afford that lifestyle in the future.
  2. Get tax benefits with a Roth IRA
    With a Roth IRA, your withdrawals are tax-free after you turn 59 ½. Savers over age 50 can contribute $7,000 per year instead of the $6,000 limit.

    Keep in mind if your account is less than 5 years old, withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.

  3. Assess risk tolerance vs. investment goals
    Make sure your investments line up with your time horizon and risk tolerance. To manage your money, consider opening a self-managed brokerage account. Ally Invest has no account minimums and offer commission-free trades for stocks and ETFs. Plus, they're known for high customer satisfaction ratings.

    If you want more conservative investments, consider putting away your money in bonds, CDs and high-yield savings accounts.

  4. Protect your assets
    As you approach retirement, make sure your money will go towards the right place. Creating a will gives you control over who gets your property if you're no longer here. This includes any bank accounts, real estate, and other assets you own.

    You'll also name a legal guardian if you have any children. Otherwise, the government decides how your finances are distributed.

Take the Guesswork Out of Choosing a Financial Adviser

  • Get matched with a financial advisor in 3 minutes
  • Connect with a financial advisor based on your preferences and financial profile.
  • Consult for free with no obligation
  • All advisors are registered with the SEC.

Click Here to Get Started

Bottom line

The average retirement savings is $172,000. As life expectancy continues to increase, this amount won't go as far as it used to.

As you approach your golden years, it's important to gauge how far your existing savings will take you. Bookmark this page to check in on your retirement accounts every couple of years. It'll give you peace of mind and a game plan for your retirement years.

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Amber Kong is a content specialist at CreditDonkey, a personal finance comparison and reviews website. Write to Amber Kong at amber.kong@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

Empower Personal Wealth, LLC (“EPW”) compensates CREDITDONKEY INC for new leads. CREDITDONKEY INC is not an investment client of Personal Capital Advisors Corporation or Empower Advisory Group, LLC.

How Long Will My Money Last Calculator (2024)

FAQs

How long will $1000000 last you? ›

Around the U.S., a $1 million nest egg can cover an average of 18.9 years worth of living expenses, GoBankingRates found. But where you retire can have a profound impact on how far your money goes, ranging from as a little as 10 years in Hawaii to more than than 20 years in more than a dozen states.

How long will $200,000 last me? ›

How long will $200k last in retirement?
Retirement ageLength of time covered by the $200k (assuming a life expectancy of 80 years)
4535 years
5030 years
5525 years
6020 years
3 more rows

How long will 900k last? ›

$900k can last you for over 25 years in retirement if your annual spending remains around $50,000, following the 4% rule. However, it will depend on your age at retirement and spending needs as a retiree.

How long will $800,000 last in retirement? ›

With $800k initially saved, you could withdraw $40k-60k annually and still have your portfolio last between 19-28 years. The higher your spending amount, the faster your savings get depleted. Assessing your specific retirement costs and life expectancy is key to determining withdrawal rate.

Can I retire at 45 with $3 million dollars? ›

And, while life expectancy can be estimated, no one knows for certain how long they will live. As a result, they can only approximate how long their nest egg will need to last. Retiring at age 45 with $3 million is quite feasible if you already have the money and your post-retirement income needs are not excessive.

How many people have $2000000 in savings? ›

Relatively few households with enough assets

Among the 47 million households headed by someone age 60 or older, 7% had household investable assets of at least $2 million, Drinkwater said. Only 6% of the 89 million households in the U.S. headed by someone 40 to 85 years old has that amount, Drinkwater said.

Can I retire at 62 with 300k? ›

The short answer to this question is "Yes". If you've managed to save $300k successfully, there's a good chance you'll be able to retire comfortably, though you will have to make some compromises and consider your plans carefully if you want to make that your final figure.

Can I retire at 62 with $200,000? ›

Retiring on $200,000 a year is achievable, but it takes discipline, planning, and making smart financial decisions. Starting early, living below your means, starting a business, and exploring passive income opportunities are all vital strategies to help you reach this financial goal.

How long will $500,000 last in retirement? ›

According to the 4% rule, if you retire with $500,000 in assets, you should be able to withdraw $20,000 per year for 30 years or more. Moreover, investing this money in an annuity could provide a guaranteed annual income of $24,688 for those retiring at 55.

Can I retire at 67 with 300k? ›

$300k is sufficient for many people to retire, in part because you can avoid some of the biggest tax hurdles that may arise for more wealthy retirees. That said, whether or not it's enough depends on your circ*mstances (spending levels, location, health, and more).

Can 3 million dollars last a lifetime? ›

Can I guarantee myself a suitable ongoing income by correctly managing my money? – $3 million should be more than enough to give yourself a continual income until your death, especially if you organize your savings wisely and invest, for instance, in ​​an annuity with a lifetime income rider.

Can $1 million last 30 years? ›

Retirement can often last 25 years or more, according to Fidelity, but in states with high costs of living, $1 million may not be enough to cover your expenses for that long.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k? ›

If you have $400,000 in the bank you can retire early at age 62, but it will be tight. The good news is that if you can keep working for just five more years, you are on track for a potentially quite comfortable retirement by full retirement age.

Can I retire on $4,000 a month? ›

Bottom Line. With $800,000 in savings, you can probably cover $4,000 in monthly living costs. However, retirement accounts alone cannot safely sustain that spending for a 25- or 30-year retirement.

Can I retire at 62 with $800,000? ›

If you have substantial income from sources like a pension and Social Security, an $800,000 portfolio could last for many years. That's especially true if your expenses are low and you don't have significant health care expenses.

Can I live off the interest of $1000000? ›

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

Can you retire comfortably with $1 million? ›

The personal finance site calculates that this amount, plus Social Security benefits, would be enough to cover costs for necessities like groceries, housing, utilities, car expenses, discretionary spending and savings over a 25-year retirement.

Can you retire comfortably on $1000000? ›

According to Schwab, even if you invested in your annuity on the day of your retirement, with $1 million you can potentially collect $6,000 per month or more for the rest of your life. All of which is to say that with $1 million, you can certainly collect a comfortable amount of money in your retirement.

How much monthly income will 1 million generate? ›

At the current Treasury rate of 4.3%, a $1 million portfolio would generate about $43,000 per year, or roughly $3,500 per month. With your Social Security payments that would generate about $6,000, again enough to live comfortably in most places.

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