Withdrawal Plan Calculator
Find out how long your savings last with a regular monthly withdrawal and ongoing returns.
- Total withdrawn
- €495,199.32
| Year | Balance |
|---|---|
| 1 | €293,889 |
| 2 | €287,529 |
| 3 | €280,909 |
| 4 | €274,020 |
| 5 | €266,851 |
| 6 | €259,389 |
| 7 | €251,623 |
| 8 | €243,541 |
| 9 | €235,129 |
| 10 | €226,375 |
| 11 | €217,264 |
| 12 | €207,782 |
| 13 | €197,914 |
| 14 | €187,644 |
| 15 | €176,955 |
| 16 | €165,830 |
| 17 | €154,253 |
| 18 | €142,204 |
| 19 | €129,664 |
| 20 | €116,613 |
| 21 | €103,030 |
| 22 | €88,894 |
| 23 | €74,182 |
| 24 | €58,870 |
| 25 | €42,935 |
| 26 | €26,351 |
| 27 | €9,091 |
Capital until depletion
Show details table
| Year | Balance |
|---|---|
| 1 | €293,888.77 |
| 2 | €287,528.56 |
| 3 | €280,909.22 |
| 4 | €274,020.20 |
| 5 | €266,850.51 |
| 6 | €259,388.72 |
| 7 | €251,622.92 |
| 8 | €243,540.73 |
| 9 | €235,129.26 |
| 10 | €226,375.10 |
| 11 | €217,264.27 |
| 12 | €207,782.26 |
| 13 | €197,913.94 |
| 14 | €187,643.56 |
| 15 | €176,954.76 |
| 16 | €165,830.47 |
| 17 | €154,252.97 |
| 18 | €142,203.78 |
| 19 | €129,663.68 |
| 20 | €116,612.69 |
| 21 | €103,029.97 |
| 22 | €88,893.88 |
| 23 | €74,181.86 |
| 24 | €58,870.45 |
| 25 | €42,935.23 |
| 26 | €26,350.78 |
| 27 | €9,090.66 |
Planning capital in retirement
A withdrawal plan answers the central question of retirement planning: how long will my capital sustain a given monthly withdrawal? What matters is the ratio of withdrawal to return. If the withdrawal stays below the ongoing earnings, the capital is preserved indefinitely.
The calculator simulates month by month: it credits the return, subtracts the withdrawal and shows when the capital is exhausted – or that thanks to sufficient earnings it is never depleted at all.
The tipping point: withdrawal versus return
As long as the monthly withdrawal is smaller than the ongoing interest income, you live off the earnings and the capital stays untouched. Once the withdrawal exceeds the earnings, you draw on the substance – and the further above, the faster the capital shrinks.
Even small changes to the withdrawal amount shift the duration considerably. It is therefore worth trying several withdrawal amounts to see from which point the capital becomes sustainable.
Worked example: €300,000 in retirement
With €300,000 of capital and a 4% return, around €1,000 of interest income arises per month. If you withdraw exactly that amount, the capital is preserved indefinitely in theory.
If instead you withdraw €1,500 a month, you fund the difference from the substance – the capital then lasts just under 28 years. At €2,000 a month the duration shortens to around 17 years. The calculator shows this duration for your specific values.
Limits of the model
The calculator assumes a constant return and uses nominal values. In reality, earnings fluctuate and inflation erodes the purchasing power of your withdrawal. Over 20 years the same amount can be worth considerably less in real terms.
To preserve purchasing power, adjust the withdrawal to inflation regularly or use a lower real return. The withdrawal plan is a planning tool and does not replace individual advice.
Frequently asked questions
When does my capital last "indefinitely"?
If the ongoing return is at least as high as your monthly withdrawal, the capital is preserved or even grows. The calculator detects and reports this case.
What return is realistic in retirement?
During the withdrawal phase, money is often invested more conservatively. Assumptions between 2 % and 5 % per year are common – run several scenarios.
Is inflation accounted for?
The calculator uses nominal values. To preserve purchasing power, adjust the withdrawal to inflation regularly or use a lower real return.
What is the 4 percent rule?
A well-known rule of thumb says that an annual withdrawal of around 4 % of the initial capital is highly likely to last over long periods. It comes from US studies, but is only a rough guide and depends heavily on returns and inflation.
What happens with fluctuating returns?
The calculator uses a fixed average return. In practice, early loss years are particularly unfavourable because less capital then benefits from the later recovery (sequence-of-returns risk). Plan with a buffer accordingly.
Can I calculate without any return?
Yes. Set the return to 0 %, and the calculator simply divides the capital by the monthly withdrawal. That gives the minimum duration without any earnings.