How long will my 401(k) last in retirement?

How long your 401(k) lasts depends on your balance, monthly withdrawals, investment returns, and other income like Social Security. Our free calculator models all of these over time, including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73. Enter your details to get a year-by-year projection.

When should I start claiming Social Security?

You can claim Social Security as early as age 62 (with a permanent reduction) or delay up to age 70 for a larger monthly benefit. For most people born in 1960 or later, Full Retirement Age (FRA) is 67. Delaying past FRA adds 8% per year. Our SS Timing calculator shows the break-even age for your specific situation.

What is the difference between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA in retirement?

Traditional IRA (and 401k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73. Roth IRA withdrawals are tax-free in retirement and have no RMDs, making them valuable to withdraw last. This calculator models the optimal withdrawal order: taxable brokerage first, then Traditional, then Roth.

What are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?

RMDs are mandatory annual withdrawals from Traditional IRA and 401(k) accounts starting at age 73 (SECURE 2.0 Act). The amount is based on your account balance divided by an IRS life expectancy factor. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs. This calculator automatically applies RMDs to your Traditional balance.

US Retirement Calculator 2026 — How Long Will Your Money Last?

Step 1 — About You

Date of birth We use this to calculate your current age and years to retirement.

State

Marital status

Single Married or common-law Divorced or separated Widowed

Step 2 — Retirement Timing

Your retirement status

I am still working I have already retired

Target retirement age

65

Social Security start age Claiming before 67 (FRA) reduces benefits; delaying past 67 increases them 8%/year up to 70.

67

Starting at 67 (FRA) — your full estimated amount.

Estimated monthly Social Security at FRA (age 67) From ssa.gov. If unsure, leave at $1,800.

$

Part-time retirement phase Very common: work part-time for a few years, then fully stop. Part-time income reduces how much you draw from savings during that window.

I will retire fully at my target age I plan to work part-time first

Monthly part-time income (after tax) Gross income from part-time work once you step back.

$

Fully retire at age

67

Your Spouse's Social Security

Add your spouse's Social Security for a complete household picture. These are estimates — consult a financial advisor or ssa.gov for precise figures.
Note: the projection assumes your spouse is the same age as you. If there's a large age gap, household income timing may differ.

Spouse's estimated monthly Social Security at FRA At their Full Retirement Age (67). Find on ssa.gov/myaccount. Enter 0 if no SS.

$

Spouse's Social Security start age Earlier than 67 reduces benefits; delaying past 67 increases them. Set to 67 for FRA.

67

Step 3 — Your Savings

Enter current balances. Use 0 if you don't have that account.

Traditional 401(k) / IRA balance Your total Traditional 401(k) and Traditional IRA balance today

$

Roth 401(k) / Roth IRA balance Your total Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA balance today

$

Taxable brokerage / savings Stocks, ETFs, savings accounts outside 401(k)/IRA

$

Monthly employer pension Monthly employer pension, if any. Enter 0 if none.

$

Home equity / downsizing Often the largest asset retirees have. If you plan to sell and move somewhere smaller or cheaper, the net proceeds can fund retirement.

I do not plan to downsize I plan to downsize or sell my home

Net proceeds after next home / rental Sale price of current home, minus cost of smaller home or condo, realtor fees, and moving costs.

$

Age when you plan to downsize

72

Rental properties

I don't have rental properties I have rental properties

Set up your rental properties to calculate net monthly income.

Set Up Rental Income →

Step 4 — Your Spending

Housing in retirement This affects which expense categories are shown below.

Own home, mortgage-free Own home, still have mortgage Renting

Monthly retirement expenses Enter what you expect to spend each month in retirement. Some categories show or hide based on your housing choice above.

Monthly

Annual (divided by 12 automatically)

Major one-time expenses in year 1 e.g. helping kids, travel, renovations. Enter 0 if none.

$

Step 5 — Assumptions

These defaults work for most people. Expand to adjust if you'd like.

Investment & Planning Assumptions (click to expand)

Expected annual investment return

5.5%

Conservative: 3–4% | Balanced: 5–6% | Growth: 7–9%

Expected annual inflation

2.8%

Federal Reserve target: 2% | Recent average: 2.8%

Plan to age

90

Conservative planning age: 90–95. US life expectancy at 65: ~85 (average).

Will you retire in the US?

Non-US residents may owe a 30% withholding tax on Social Security benefits.

Yes — I plan to live in the US No — I plan to live abroad

What this calculator does not include: State income taxes on Social Security (varies by state), spousal benefit rules, Medicare premiums, or long-term care costs. These are simplified estimates.