Savings Withdrawal Calculator
Drawing down savings is a race between withdrawals and interest. Enter your numbers to see how many years the balance survives — and the withdrawal level at which it never runs out.
$100,000 earning 4% supports a $1,000/month withdrawal for about 10 years 2 months. Keep the withdrawal at or below the interest ($333/mo at 4%) and the balance never depletes.
- $100k, 4%, $1,000/mo≈ 10 yr 2 mo
- $100k, 4%, $600/mo≈ 20 yr 4 mo
- Never-depletes thresholdbalance × rate ÷ 12
- At $100k / 4%$333/mo
Standard amortization math, monthly compounding; the calculator shows your exact case.
How long $100,000 lasts
| Monthly withdrawal | at 2% | at 4% | at 6% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | 20 yr 4 mo | 27 yr 7 mo | forever (interest covers it) |
| $750 | 12 yr 7 mo | 14 yr 9 mo | 18 yr 5 mo |
| $1,000 | 9 yr 2 mo | 10 yr 2 mo | 11 yr 7 mo |
| $1,500 | 5 yr 11 mo | 6 yr 4 mo | 6 yr 10 mo |
| $2,000 | 4 yr 5 mo | 4 yr 7 mo | 4 yr 10 mo |
Monthly compounding, withdrawals at month-end, rate constant. Notice the pattern: at high withdrawal rates the interest rate barely matters — you’re spending principal too fast for compounding to fight back.
Frequently asked questions
How long will $100,000 last at $1,000 a month?
About 9–11.5 years depending on the rate (9 yr 2 mo at 2%, 11 yr 7 mo at 6%). At $500/month it stretches past 20 years — and at 6% it never runs out.
What withdrawal makes savings last forever?
Anything at or below the monthly interest: balance × annual rate ÷ 12. $200,000 at 4% sustains $667/month indefinitely — before inflation, which erodes what that withdrawal buys.
Is this the same as the 4% rule?
Related but different: the 4% rule is a historical-market guideline for diversified portfolios with inflation-adjusted withdrawals. This calculator is exact math for a fixed rate — right for CDs, HYSAs, and fixed annuity-like balances.
Are withdrawals from savings taxed?
Withdrawing your own after-tax savings isn't taxed, but the interest it earns is ordinary income. Retirement-account withdrawals are a different story — see the retirement withdrawal calculator.
Sources & methodology
Sources: NumberBench methodology.
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not financial advice.