How Long Will My Savings Last? (2026 Calculator)

If you are living off savings, or planning to, one question matters most: how long will the money last? The answer is not your balance divided by your monthly spending, because unspent money keeps earning a return. Try the free Savings Longevity Calculator, then read on.

How long will $250,000 last at $2,000 a month?

At a 5% annual return with no yearly increase in withdrawals, $250,000 lasts 177 months, or 14 years and 9 months, running out in July 2041 if you start in November 2026. Total withdrawn over that period is $353,874.70, which is more than the starting balance because investment growth adds about $103,875 along the way.

That gap is the whole point. Dividing $250,000 by $2,000 gives 125 months, but the simulation gives nearly 15 years, because each month the balance grows before the withdrawal comes out. Early on, growth replaces a big chunk of every withdrawal.

How do you calculate how long savings will last?

You simulate it month by month: each month, multiply the balance by one twelfth of the annual return, then subtract the monthly withdrawal, and repeat until the balance reaches zero. If withdrawals rise each year, increase the monthly amount by the annual percentage after every 12 months. The month the balance hits zero is your answer.

This beats a single formula because it handles the two things that change over time: a shrinking balance that earns less each month, and a withdrawal that may grow with inflation. The Savings Longevity Calculator runs this simulation, capped at 1,200 months, with a year-end balance table.

What is a safe monthly withdrawal from savings?

A widely used rule of thumb is 4% of your starting balance per year, adjusted for inflation, which research suggests lasts about 30 years. On $250,000, that is $10,000 a year, or about $833 a month. A $2,000 monthly withdrawal is 9.6% a year, which is why it lasts under 15 years.

The right withdrawal depends on how long the money must last. A higher rate is fine for a 5-year bridge to a pension or Social Security, but a 30-year retirement needs something near 4% or below. If the calculator says under 10 years and you need 20, either the withdrawal must fall or the balance must grow first. The Savings Goal Calculator helps you set the target balance first.

Does inflation change how long my savings last?

Yes, and more than most people expect. A 2% annual increase on a $1,500 monthly withdrawal turns a balance that lasts about 7 years with flat withdrawals into one that runs out in 6 years. That yearly growth compounds: by year six you withdraw about $1,657 a month instead of $1,500.

The fix is to model inflation explicitly. Set the annual withdrawal increase to 2% or 3%: if the money still lasts long enough, your plan has a margin of safety. If not, spend less, accept leaner later years, or save more first. Ignoring inflation makes every plan look better on paper than in real life.

What return should I assume for my savings?

Use a cautious, after-fee figure, not the best year you remember. A balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds has historically returned around 5% to 7% a year before inflation, and less after fund fees and taxes. A 5% assumption is a reasonable middle ground for planning, while 3% to 4% gives a deliberately conservative test of the same plan.

Never assume a high return every year with no down years. Real markets fall, and withdrawing during a fall, known as sequence risk, shortens savings beyond what a smooth average suggests. Test two scenarios: a central case at 5% and a stress case at 3%. If it works at 3%, the plan is robust; if it only works at 8%, it is a hope, not a plan.

How can I make my savings last longer?

Cutting the monthly withdrawal is the most powerful lever, because every dollar not withdrawn stays invested and keeps earning. Dropping from $2,000 to $1,500 a month on a $250,000 balance at 5% stretches the money by several extra years. Delaying withdrawals helps twice over: the balance grows untouched, and the drawdown period shortens.

Other income changes the picture completely: enter only the gap your savings must fill after Social Security, a pension, or part-time work. The 50/30/20 Budget Calculator shows where spending can be trimmed, and the Coast FIRE Calculator tells you when you can stop saving and let compounding finish the job.

What else should I know about savings longevity?

Four points come up again and again: other income must be subtracted before you run the numbers, taxes are not included, a result under 10 years is a warning worth acting on, and a 100-plus-year result means your withdrawals are covered by the return itself.

Should I count Social Security or a pension in this calculator?

No, not directly. Enter only the monthly amount your savings must supply after other income is subtracted. If you spend $3,000 a month and a pension covers $1,200, your savings withdrawal is $1,800. Running the calculator on the full $3,000 would understate how long your money lasts.

Are taxes included in the result?

No. Withdrawals from traditional retirement accounts are generally taxed as income, which effectively raises your real withdrawal. For a cleaner answer, enter an after-tax monthly figure, or add your expected tax rate to the withdrawal before you run the numbers.

What if my savings last less than 10 years?

The calculator flags any result under 10 years, and that flag deserves attention rather than panic. Options include a smaller withdrawal, a later start, part-time income, or a planned lower-spending phase later on. What rarely works is assuming a much higher return to make the numbers fit.

What does “lasts 100+ years” mean?

It means the balance never reached zero in the 1,200-month simulation, which happens when the return covers or exceeds each withdrawal. In practice your savings are self-sustaining at that rate, though real markets will not deliver a smooth return every single year.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Results are estimates based on a smooth average return and exclude taxes, fees, market volatility, and one-off costs. Your actual outcome will differ. Consult a qualified financial adviser before making retirement or withdrawal decisions.