See how long your savings really last
Test withdrawal rates, Social Security timing, and part-time income in a year-by-year projection. No signup. No data leaves your browser.
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Year-by-Year Projection
| Year | Age | Expenses | SS Income | Part-Time | From Savings | Balance |
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How to use this simulator
Enter your starting point
Type in your current retirement savings and the annual spending you expect once you stop working. If you're not sure about expenses, start with 80% of your current take-home pay as a rough estimate.
Set your Social Security timing
Pick the age you plan to claim. The simulator adjusts your monthly benefit automatically: claiming at 62 gives you about 70% of your full benefit, while waiting until 70 gives you roughly 124%. You can override the monthly amount if you know your actual estimate.
Test different withdrawal rates
Use the presets to compare conservative (3.5%), moderate (4%), and aggressive (5%) withdrawal rates. The chart shows exactly when your balance hits zero under each scenario. Even a half-percent change can add years.
Save, share, or print
Your settings are saved in your browser automatically. Copy a share link to send to a spouse or advisor. Print the summary to bring to a meeting. Come back each year to update your actual balance and adjust assumptions.
Common mistakes people make
Ignoring healthcare costs
Healthcare is often the biggest surprise in retirement. Fidelity estimates a 65-year-old couple may need around $315,000 for medical expenses in retirement. If your expense number doesn't include a buffer for this, your projection will be too optimistic.
Not adjusting for inflation
At 3% inflation, your expenses double roughly every 24 years. A $45,000 budget today becomes about $60,000 in 10 years. The simulator includes inflation by default, but you can raise the rate to stress-test your plan.
Claiming Social Security too early
Many people claim at 62 because the money feels urgent. But every year you wait (up to 70) increases your monthly benefit permanently. For someone with a $2,000 full benefit, claiming at 62 means $1,400 per month. Waiting until 70 means about $2,480. That difference compounds over decades.
Assuming a straight-line return
This simulator uses a fixed annual return. Real markets go up and down. A bad sequence of returns in early retirement can drain savings faster than expected. That's why conservative withdrawal rates matter, especially in the first decade.
Forgetting about taxes
Withdrawals from traditional 401(k) and IRA accounts are taxed as ordinary income. Social Security may also be partially taxable. The simulator doesn't model taxes, so your actual available income will be lower than the gross numbers shown.
Not planning for a spouse
When one spouse dies, Social Security drops to the higher of the two benefits (the lower one disappears). If you're modeling for two people, make sure your expense number accounts for this potential reduction later on.
Frequently asked questions
What withdrawal rate should I use?
The old rule of thumb was 4% per year. Many planners now suggest 3.5% to be safer, especially if you retire early. Try the conservative preset (3.5%) and the moderate preset (4%) to see the difference in how long your savings last.
Why does claiming Social Security later help so much?
Benefits increase roughly 6-8% per year you delay past full retirement age, up to age 70. That larger monthly check means you pull less from savings each year, which can add years to how long your money lasts.
Does this account for inflation?
Yes. The default is 3% annual inflation, which increases your expenses each year. You can adjust this in the advanced settings. Healthcare inflation is often higher, so consider adding 1-2% if you want to stress-test.
Can I save my scenario?
Your inputs are saved automatically in your browser. You can also copy a share link that encodes all your settings in the URL, or print a summary to bring to an advisor meeting.
What if my savings run out before I expect?
The table highlights the year your balance hits zero. Try lowering your withdrawal rate, delaying Social Security, adding part-time income, or reducing expenses. Even small changes can add several years.
Is this a replacement for a financial advisor?
No. This is a scenario-testing tool to help you ask better questions. It doesn't model taxes, market volatility, or complex situations like pensions, rental income, or spousal benefits. Use it to prepare for a conversation with a fee-only financial planner.
What about Roth conversions?
Roth conversions can reduce future required minimum distributions and tax bills, but this simulator doesn't model them. If you're considering a conversion ladder, test the after-tax withdrawal amount in the simulator to see how it affects longevity.
Assumptions and limitations
This simulator uses a simplified model. It assumes a fixed annual return, fixed inflation, and constant Social Security benefits. It does not account for taxes, market volatility, required minimum distributions, pensions, rental income, or changes in spending patterns. The results are projections, not guarantees. Review your plan with a qualified financial advisor before making decisions. Last updated: 2026.