Retirement Withdrawal Drawdown Calculator
Estimate how a retirement pot may last under annual withdrawal, return, inflation, and withdrawal-growth assumptions.
Drawdown planner
Withdrawal assumptions
Projected result
Portfolio drawdown
Estimated depletion
Year 33
Total withdrawn
£1,075,242
Real ending value
£0
Balance path
This is a simple deterministic drawdown estimate. It does not model tax, pensions, annuities, sequence risk, fees, benefits, guaranteed income, or personalised financial advice.
About This Retirement Withdrawal Drawdown Calculator
This retirement withdrawal drawdown calculator projects a portfolio balance after yearly withdrawals. Enter a starting pot, first-year withdrawal, expected return, inflation assumption, withdrawal increase, and projection length.
The result shows whether the pot lasts through the projection period, the estimated depletion year if it runs out, total withdrawals, ending balance, and an inflation-adjusted ending value. It is designed for rough planning rather than pension advice.
The model is deterministic: it applies the same return and withdrawal-growth assumptions each year. It does not simulate market volatility, tax, pension rules, benefits, annuities, fees, guaranteed income, or sequence-of-returns risk.
How the drawdown projection works
Each year starts with the opening balance, subtracts the planned withdrawal, applies the expected return to the remaining balance, and then increases the next year's withdrawal.
The inflation-adjusted ending value discounts the final balance back into today's spending-power terms.
If the portfolio reaches zero before the end of the projection, the calculator reports the estimated depletion year.
Retirement drawdown example
A GBP 500,000 pot with a GBP 22,000 first-year withdrawal and a 5% annual return may last through a long projection if withdrawals rise modestly.
Raise withdrawals, lower returns, or increase inflation-linked withdrawal growth, and the depletion year can move forward quickly.
This sensitivity is the main value of the calculator: it helps you test assumptions before treating a withdrawal level as comfortable.
Important drawdown limits
The model uses a steady annual return. Real markets do not behave that neatly, and poor early returns can damage a drawdown plan.
It does not calculate pension rules, tax, state benefits, required distributions, annuities, fees, or guaranteed income.
Use the output as a rough planning estimate and check real retirement decisions against provider figures and qualified advice.
What this retirement withdrawal drawdown calculator covers
This page should target retirement withdrawal calculator, retirement drawdown calculator, how long will my retirement money last, and portfolio depletion searches.
It projects a retirement pot from entered withdrawal, return, inflation, and horizon assumptions. It does not calculate pension rules, tax, benefits, annuities, guaranteed income, or personalised retirement advice.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1
Enter your starting pot
Use the retirement balance you want to test before withdrawals begin.
- 2
Set the first withdrawal
Enter the first-year withdrawal before any annual increases.
- 3
Add return and inflation assumptions
Use conservative assumptions if you want a stress-test style result.
- 4
Review depletion risk
Check whether the balance survives the horizon and how the ending value looks after inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this include tax or pension rules?
No. It is a simple drawdown model and does not calculate tax, pension allowances, required withdrawals, benefits, or annuity income.
Does it model market crashes?
No. It uses one steady annual return. Real portfolios can experience volatile returns, which can materially affect drawdown outcomes.
What does withdrawal increase mean?
It is the annual percentage increase applied to the withdrawal amount. Many people set it near inflation when modelling spending that rises over time.
Does this model sequence-of-returns risk?
No. It uses one steady return assumption. Sequence risk needs a year-by-year or simulation model.
Can I model inflation-linked withdrawals?
Yes. Set withdrawal increase to your inflation assumption if you want withdrawals to rise with estimated prices.