Retirement Income Calculator
Find out how long your savings will last or how much you can safely spend each month. Includes Social Security, pension, and tax-aware withdrawals.
Updated March 2026
Combined 401(k), IRA, and other savings
Total monthly expenses in today's dollars
Income Sources & Tax Settings
Estimated monthly benefit in today's dollars
Rental income, annuity, part-time work, etc.
Applied to traditional (pre-tax) account withdrawals
Your savings would last until age
--
Social Security
$0
/month
From Savings
$0
/month
Withdrawal Rate
0%
of portfolio/year
4% Rule Suggests
$0
/month total
Estimated safe spending
$0
per month through age 90
From Income Sources
$0
/month
From Savings
$0
/month
Withdrawal Rate
0%
of portfolio/year
4% Rule Suggests
$0
/month total
Monthly income gap: Your income sources cover $0/month. You need $0/month from savings to meet your spending goal.
Your savings could last beyond age 100. At this withdrawal rate, your portfolio growth outpaces your spending.
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Portfolio Balance Over Time
Projected values are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual results will vary.
How it works
How this retirement income calculator works
Two calculation modes
Choose "How long will it last?" to see when your savings run out at your desired spending level. Or choose "How much can I take?" to find the maximum safe monthly spending that lasts through your target age.
Income source layering
The calculator combines Social Security, pension, and other income with your portfolio withdrawals. Income sources reduce how much you need to pull from savings each month, extending the life of your portfolio.
Inflation-adjusted spending
Your monthly spending need grows with inflation each year to maintain purchasing power. A $4,000/month budget today becomes roughly $5,400/month in 10 years at 3% inflation. The calculator accounts for this in every projection year.
Tax-aware withdrawals
Set your effective tax rate to model the real cost of withdrawals from traditional (pre-tax) retirement accounts. A $4,000 monthly spending need requires roughly $5,128 in gross withdrawals at a 22% tax rate.
Fundamentals
Retirement income planning basics
Social Security
$1,976
Avg. monthly benefit (2025)
4% Rule
$20,000
/year from $500K portfolio
Income Target
70-80%
of pre-retirement income
RMD Start Age
73
Under SECURE 2.0
Sources: Social Security Administration (2025 avg. retired worker benefit). The 4% rule is based on William Bengen's 1994 research using historical market returns.
Strategies
Withdrawal strategies to consider
The 4% rule
Withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust that dollar amount for inflation each year. Research suggests this approach has sustained portfolios for 30+ years in most historical market conditions.
Bucket strategy
Divide your savings into three time-based buckets: 1-2 years of spending in cash, 3-7 years in bonds, and the rest in stocks. Draw from the cash bucket first, refilling it periodically from the growth buckets.
Guardrail method
Set upper and lower spending limits around your target withdrawal. If your portfolio grows enough, give yourself a raise. If it drops below a threshold, temporarily reduce spending. This balances enjoyment with sustainability.
Delay Social Security
Each year you delay claiming Social Security between 62 and 70, your benefit increases by roughly 7-8% per year. Claiming at 70 instead of 62 can mean 76% higher monthly payments for life, reducing portfolio pressure.
Tax-efficient ordering
Withdraw from taxable accounts first, then tax-deferred (Traditional 401(k)/IRA), then Roth accounts last. This sequence lets tax-free Roth assets compound longer while managing your annual tax bracket.
Roth conversions
Converting Traditional IRA or 401(k) funds to Roth before RMDs begin can reduce future required distributions and create tax-free income. The early retirement years between leaving work and claiming Social Security are often an ideal window for conversions.
Tips
Ways to stretch your retirement income
Delay Social Security to 70
If you can bridge the gap with savings, waiting until 70 maximizes your guaranteed monthly benefit. The 8%/year delayed retirement credit between full retirement age and 70 is difficult to replicate with any investment.
Consider part-time work
Even $1,000/month from part-time or consulting work dramatically extends portfolio life. It also provides structure, social connection, and can delay the need to draw from retirement accounts.
Downsize strategically
Moving to a smaller home or lower-cost area can both reduce monthly expenses and unlock home equity. Lower housing costs, property taxes, and maintenance all compound to extend your savings.
Review expenses annually
Retirement spending is not static. Healthcare costs tend to rise while travel and dining may decline. An annual review helps you adjust withdrawals to match actual needs rather than over-withdrawing based on initial estimates.
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