How long will $1 million last in retirement?

At a $4,000/month withdrawal ($48,000/year) with a 6% annual return, $1 million lasts approximately 37 years. At $5,000/month it lasts about 27 years. At $3,333/month (the 4% rule), it lasts indefinitely in most scenarios. Inflation reduces real purchasing power over time.

What is the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals?

The 4% rule states that you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year, and historically have a 95%+ chance of your money lasting 30 years. For a 30-year retirement, $1 million supports roughly $40,000/year in withdrawals.

How does inflation affect retirement savings?

Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. At 3% annual inflation, $4,000 today will require $5,376 in 10 years to buy the same goods. Retirees who don't account for inflation risk running out of money even when nominal balances look adequate.

What withdrawal rate is safe for retirement?

Most financial planners consider 3.5-4% annually as a safe withdrawal rate for a 30-year retirement. For longer retirements (35-40 years), consider 3-3.5%. At very low rates (under 3%), a balanced portfolio historically sustains withdrawals indefinitely.

How Long Will My Money Last? 2026

Last updated: September 2026 · 2026 IRS & state tax rates

Enter your current savings balance, monthly withdrawal amount, and expected investment return. See exactly when (or if) your money runs out.

Current Savings / Portfolio Balance

Monthly Withdrawal

Expected Annual Return

Conservative: 4-5% | Moderate: 6-7% | Aggressive: 8-10%

Annual Inflation Rate

37 yrs

Money Lasts Until Age

Balance depleted around year 2062

6.0%

Annual Return

$1,667

4% Rule Safe Monthly

$2,500

Forever Threshold

Starting Balance$500,000

Monthly Withdrawal (Year 1)$2,500

Annual Withdrawal (Year 1)$30,000

Withdrawal Rate6.0%

Inflation-Adjusted Monthly (Yr 20)$4,515

Years Until Depletion37 years

The 4% Rule Explained

The 4% rule comes from the Trinity Study (1998), which found that a portfolio of 50-75% stocks could sustain a 4% initial withdrawal rate (inflation-adjusted) for 30 years with over 95% success historically. For a $500,000 portfolio, this means $20,000/year or about $1,667/month.

What Can Make Your Money Last Longer

Delay Social Security to age 70 — replaces $1,000-$2,000+/month of withdrawals
Part-time income even for 5-7 years cuts the portfolio draw dramatically
Flexible spending — reduce withdrawals in down-market years
Bond/cash buffer — keep 1-2 years of expenses in cash to avoid selling stocks in downturns
Payroll Taxes Guide
Overtime Rules
Tax Withholding Guide

How Long Will My Retirement Savings Last?

The most important question in retirement planning: at your current withdrawal rate, how long will your savings last? This depends on three variables: your portfolio balance, your annual withdrawal amount, and your portfolio's rate of return.

The 4% Rule

The most widely cited retirement withdrawal guideline is the 4% rule: withdraw no more than 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year. Research shows this approach has historically provided a 95%+ probability of a 30-year portfolio survival. On a $1 million portfolio, the 4% rule = $40,000/year ($3,333/month).

Portfolio Survival by Withdrawal Rate

Annual Withdrawal	$500k Portfolio Lasts	$1M Portfolio Lasts
$20,000/yr (4%)	30+ years	30+ years
$30,000/yr (6%)	~22 years	30+ years
$40,000/yr (8%)	~16 years	~26 years

Annual Withdrawal

$500k Portfolio Lasts

$1M Portfolio Lasts

$20,000/yr (4%)

30+ years

$30,000/yr (6%)

~22 years

30+ years

$40,000/yr (8%)

~16 years

~26 years

Assumes 5% annual investment return and 3% annual withdrawal increase for inflation. Social Security income significantly extends portfolio survival — a $2,000/month Social Security benefit reduces your portfolio withdrawal need by $24,000/year.