Retirement savings longevity calculator (how long will it last)

Estimate how many years your savings could last based on spending, income, return, and inflation. Free drawdown projection (not a guarantee).

Your inputs

About this calculator

See whether savings can cover annual spending after other income. Use your best estimates for balance, spending, and returns.

Your information

Enter your best estimates below.

Your age when retirement spending starts.
Cash and investments available for retirement spending.
Total yearly spending you need from savings (after Social Security, pension, etc.).
Other yearly income (Social Security, pension, work) that reduces what savings must cover.

Examples: CPP, OAS, Social Security, pension, annuity, rental income.

How we run the estimate

Change return and inflation below. Other rules define how we test whether your money lasts.

Expected average yearly growth on remaining savings.
5.0%
How much spending and other income rise each year.
3.0%
How long we project
Through age 92
Each year
The gap between spending and other income comes out of savings, then returns are applied
Three scenarios shown
Pessimistic (return 2% lower, inflation 1% higher), most likely (your inputs), optimistic (return 2% higher, inflation 1% lower)
Taxes
Not included — amounts are before taxes
When we say savings ran out
Balance of $1 or less

Your results

Runway risk

What it means

Your savings may run out within 15 years at the spending and return levels you entered.

How we chose it

Same year-by-year test. This tag is red when the balance hits zero within 15 years of your starting age.

Estimated retirement runway

13 years

Your savings may run out around age 73 using these assumptions.

Pessimistic

Age 71

Most likely

Age 73

Optimistic

Age 76

How long your savings last depends on actual market performance. The three tiles above are pessimistic, most likely, and optimistic scenarios—real life may land somewhere in between.

Your retirement runway

Runway risk

What it means

Your savings may run out within 15 years at the spending and return levels you entered.

How we chose it

Same year-by-year test. This tag is red when the balance hits zero within 15 years of your starting age.

A simple projection based on your current assumptions.

Savings

$500,000

First-year gap

$42,000

Runway

13 years

Final balance

$0

6061626364656667686970717273$0$150K$300K$450K$600K

Beyond this calculator

Runway depends on more than a single return assumption

This scenario tests whether savings cover spending after other income. A complete Retirelens plan also tests:

  • When Social Security starts and how much it replaces
  • Rising healthcare and long-term care costs in later years
  • Tax on withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts
  • Spending adjustments when investment returns are weak

Free to startNo credit card required

Interpretation

What this means

Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.

With $500,000 saved and a first-year income gap of $42,000, your savings may last about 13 years, until around age 73. Small changes in spending, inflation, and guaranteed income can materially change the result.

This is not the full retirement picture. Use this as your money snapshot, then plan the rest of your life around health, purpose, relationships, and legacy.

Methodology

How this calculator works

The rules and math behind this estimate.

The calculator starts with your current savings, subtracts the gap between your annual spending and retirement income, then applies your selected investment return.

Each year, spending and income increase by your selected inflation rate. The result is a planning estimate, not a guarantee or financial advice.

Help

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to common questions about this calculator.

How much money do I need to retire?

It depends on how much you spend, other income, taxes, health costs, and how long you live. There is no one number for everyone.

Is $500,000 enough?

It can be enough with low spending and other income (Social Security, pension, part-time work). It may not be enough for a costly lifestyle or very early retirement.

What withdrawal rate should I use?

Many people start around 3–4% of savings in year one. Your age, investments, and flexibility matter. Use this tool to test your own numbers.

Should I count my home?

Only if you plan to sell, downsize, or borrow against it. For day-to-day spending, focus on money you can actually spend (savings, income).

Your full retirement picture

Retirement is more than money

Free to startNo credit card required

A good retirement plan covers money, health, how you spend your time, people you care about, and what you pass on. That is how Retirelens looks at the full picture.

Finance

Know where you stand and what to do next with your money.

74% of planners reported satisfaction with retirement income vs. 43% of non-planners (Goldman Sachs)

Health

Secure solid coverage, stay ahead with preventive care and healthy habits a staple.

68% of adults ages 50–64 said they were concerned that federal policy changes could affect their health insurance coverage. (University of Michigan)

Purpose

Shape days you look forward to, with steps to get there.

Research shows that a stronger sense of purpose is associated with lower mortality risk among adults over age 50. (American Medical Association)

Connections

Strengthen relationships and build a support circle.

A longitudinal study of adults aged 65+ found that older adults with more diverse social networks had a lower risk of death and better cognitive and physical function than those with less diverse networks. (Chico Health Aging Project)

Legacy

Organize your assets and document so your family isn't left guessing.

Without a proper estate plan, more than half of families experience disputes or have assets end up under court control. (LegalShield)