Educational Purpose Only
This website, its calculator, and all content are provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing on this website constitutes financial, investment, tax, insurance, or legal advice. Results should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial decision.
WillMyRetirementSavingsLast.com is an educational tool designed to help individuals understand concepts related to retirement savings longevity. It is not a licensed financial planning service, and it does not provide personalized financial advice.
Always consult with a qualified, licensed financial advisor, insurance professional, tax advisor, or attorney before making any decisions about your retirement savings, income, or financial future.
Calculator Methodology
The retirement calculator on this website uses the following data sources and assumptions to generate illustrative projections:
Life expectancy data
Life expectancy estimates are derived from the Social Security Administration's 2024 Period Life Tables, which provide average remaining years of life by age and sex. The calculator uses the average of male and female life expectancy at your planned retirement age as a baseline projection horizon. Actual individual lifespans will vary significantly based on health, genetics, lifestyle, and other factors.
Safe withdrawal rates
The calculator uses safe withdrawal rates derived from the following academic research:
- Bengen (1994): William Bengen's landmark study, "Determining Withdrawal Rates Using Historical Data," published in the Journal of Financial Planning, which established that a 4% annual withdrawal rate (inflation-adjusted) from a balanced portfolio had historically sustained a 30-year retirement.
- The Trinity Study (1998): Cooley, Hubbard, and Walz's "Retirement Savings: Choosing a Withdrawal Rate That Is Sustainable," published in the AARP Journal, which further analyzed portfolio survival rates at various withdrawal rates and asset allocations.
Withdrawal rates applied by risk tolerance in this calculator:
- Conservative: 3.5% annually
- Moderate: 4.0% annually
- Aggressive: 4.5% annually
Investment return assumptions
The calculator applies the following real (inflation-adjusted) annual return assumptions by risk tolerance:
- Conservative: 2.0% real annual return
- Moderate: 4.0% real annual return
- Aggressive: 5.5% real annual return
These figures are based on long-run historical averages for blended stock and bond portfolios and are not predictions of future performance.
Inflation assumption
The calculator applies a 2.5% annual inflation rate to model the rising cost of living in retirement. This is close to the long-run historical average U.S. inflation rate. Actual future inflation may be higher or lower.
How the simulation works: The calculator runs a year-by-year simulation beginning at your planned retirement age. Each year, it applies the expected portfolio return, subtracts your inflation-adjusted annual withdrawal (monthly expenses minus Social Security), and tests whether the balance reaches zero before your projected life expectancy. The result is an illustrative projection — not a guarantee.
Limitations of the Calculator
The calculator is a simplified model. It does not account for many real-world factors that affect retirement outcomes, including:
- Sequence of returns risk (poor market performance early in retirement has an outsized negative effect)
- Variable spending patterns across different phases of retirement
- Healthcare costs and long-term care expenses
- Tax implications of withdrawals from different account types (traditional IRA, Roth IRA, taxable accounts)
- Changes in Social Security benefits or eligibility rules
- Inheritance, gifts, or other unexpected income or expenses
- Changes in marital status, dependents, or household size
- Individual health conditions affecting life expectancy
- State income taxes on retirement income
For a complete retirement plan that accounts for these factors, consult with a licensed financial planner or retirement specialist.
No Guarantee of Results
Past performance of stock and bond markets does not guarantee future results. The withdrawal rates and return assumptions used in this calculator are based on historical data. Future market conditions, inflation rates, and economic environments may differ materially from historical averages.
A projection showing that your savings will "last through age X" is not a promise or guarantee. It is an illustration based on the assumptions described above. Actual results will vary.
Fixed Indexed Annuity Disclosures
This website discusses Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs) as one potential strategy for retirement income planning. The following disclosures apply:
- Fixed Indexed Annuities are insurance products, not securities or investments
- FIAs are regulated by state insurance departments, not the SEC or FINRA
- FIA products vary significantly by carrier, contract terms, caps, participation rates, and surrender charge schedules
- Guarantees associated with FIAs are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company
- FIAs are not FDIC insured and are not bank products
- Surrender charges may apply if you withdraw funds beyond the free withdrawal amount during the surrender period
- This website does not sell, endorse, or recommend any specific annuity product or carrier
Any discussion of annuity products on this website is general and educational in nature. Specific product illustrations, rates, and suitability determinations should be obtained from a licensed insurance professional in your state.
Licensing Disclosure
WillMyRetirementSavingsLast.com and Determined Solutions are not registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, insurance companies, or licensed financial planning firms. This website does not provide personalized investment advice and is not subject to the fiduciary standards applicable to registered investment advisers.
Licensed professionals who may contact you as a result of submitting your information through this website are independently licensed and regulated in their respective states. Their advice and recommendations are their own and are not endorsed by this website.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Disclaimer or the methodology behind our calculator, please contact us at:
Determined Solutions
Email: seo@determinedsolutions.com
Website: WillMyRetirementSavingsLast.com