💵 Retirement Income Calculator

How Much Can You Spend in Retirement?

Enter your portfolio size. Find out exactly how much annual income it can sustainably generate — and how long it will last at different spending levels.

Your Portfolio

$1,000,000
4%
7%
30 years
$0
Sustainable Annual Income
$40,000
$3,333/month
From Portfolio
$40,000
4% withdrawal
Portfolio After 30 yrs
$0
Estimated balance
Lean FIRE Covered?
Yes
$40K/yr expenses
Fat FIRE Covered?
No
$100K/yr expenses
3%
$0
3.5%
$0
4%
$0
5%
$0

How Much Income Does Your Portfolio Generate?

The retirement income calculator is the reverse of the FIRE calculator. Instead of asking "how much do I need to retire?", it asks "given what I have, how much can I spend?" The answer depends on your withdrawal rate, expected returns, and how long you need the money to last.

The most widely used framework is the 4% rule: withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each subsequent year. On a $1M portfolio, that's $40,000/year. Historical research suggests this rate has a very high probability of sustaining a 30-year retirement across nearly all historical market scenarios.

Portfolio Size vs Annual Income

Portfolio Size3% ($)3.5% ($)4% ($)5% ($)
$500,000$15,000$17,500$20,000$25,000
$750,000$22,500$26,250$30,000$37,500
$1,000,000$30,000$35,000$40,000$50,000
$1,500,000$45,000$52,500$60,000$75,000
$2,000,000$60,000$70,000$80,000$100,000
$2,500,000$75,000$87,500$100,000$125,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What withdrawal rate is safest for a long retirement?
For a 30-year retirement, 4% has historically been very safe. For 40–50 year retirements common in FIRE, consider 3.5% or 3.25% for additional safety margin. If you have flexibility to spend less in bad market years, or have additional income sources, 4% is comfortable even for longer horizons.
Should I include CPP/OAS or Social Security in this calculation?
Yes — use the "additional annual income" field to add expected pension income. If you'll receive $12,000/year in CPP/OAS, add that, and your required portfolio withdrawal drops accordingly. This can significantly reduce your FIRE number or increase your spending flexibility in retirement.
What if my portfolio grows faster than I withdraw?
If your investment return exceeds your withdrawal rate — for example, 7% returns and 4% withdrawal — your portfolio actually grows over time rather than declining. This is the "perpetual portfolio" scenario. The chart above shows your estimated end balance, which may be higher than where you started if returns are strong.

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