SWP Withdrawal Calculator
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) Calculator works out Sustainable withdrawal each period and Sustainable withdrawal a year from Balance available, Expected annual return and Annual inflation. The default figures on this page give years the money lasts of 13.40 years; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
4 steps
- Real rate per period = 0.00643403011000343
- Growth alone supports 80000 a year at this balance
- n = -ln(1 - r x balance / withdrawal) / ln(1 + r) = 160.77989621790223 periods
- That is 13.398324684825186 years at 12 withdrawals a year
Year-by-year balancetable
| year | withdrawn | growth | closingBalance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120,000 | 75,661.14 | 955,661.14 |
| 2 | 120,000 | 72,114.03 | 907,775.16 |
| 3 | 120,000 | 68,283.15 | 856,058.31 |
| 4 | 120,000 | 64,145.8 | 800,204.11 |
| 5 | 120,000 | 59,677.46 | 739,881.57 |
| 6 | 120,000 | 54,851.66 | 674,733.23 |
| 7 | 120,000 | 49,639.79 | 604,373.03 |
| 8 | 120,000 | 44,010.98 | 528,384.01 |
| 9 | 120,000 | 37,931.86 | 446,315.86 |
| 10 | 120,000 | 31,366.4 | 357,682.27 |
| 11 | 120,000 | 24,275.72 | 261,957.98 |
| 12 | 120,000 | 16,617.77 | 158,575.76 |
| 13 | 120,000 | 8,347.2 | 46,922.95 |
| 13.4167 | 47,804.46 | 881.51 | 0 |
Figures from IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Notice 2022-6), 2022 edition and IRS life expectancy tables, 2022 edition, checked 31 August 2026. Its 5 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed · how reference data is kept current
Sources and references
5 sources
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Save it, change one figure, then compare the two
The calculation stays free. Save this scenario, adjust one assumption, save that too, and put them side by side to see exactly what the change costs you. A free account keeps 5 scenarios and 2 comparisons; Personal makes both unlimited and adds exports and private links. Nothing is saved unless you press Save.
What the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) Calculator calculates
Works out the level withdrawal a retirement pot can support, how many years a pot lasts at a chosen withdrawal rate, a section 72(t) series of substantially equal periodic payments under any of the three IRS methods, and the income tax, 10% additional tax and withholding on an early distribution.
How to use this Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) Calculator
Enter Balance available, Expected annual return, Annual inflation and Withdrawal frequency. Sustainable withdrawal each period updates as you type. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Sustainable withdrawal each period, Sustainable withdrawal a year and Years the money lasts.
The method follows IRS Notice 2022-6, Substantially equal periodic payments under section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv), Treas. Reg. 1.401(a)(9)-9, Life expectancy and distribution period tables (T.D. 9930), IRC 72(t)(1) - 10% additional tax on an early distribution from a qualified retirement plan, IRC 3405(c)(1) - 20% mandatory withholding on an eligible rollover distribution and Ordinary annuity relations: W = B r / (1 - (1+r)^-n) and n = -ln(1 - r B / W) / ln(1+r).
What you can compare
Change one input at a time to see how it affects Sustainable withdrawal each period, Sustainable withdrawal a year and Years the money lasts. The inputs you can vary are Balance available, Expected annual return, Annual inflation, Withdrawal frequency, Withdrawals are taken and Years the money must last.
Understanding Sustainable withdrawal each period, Sustainable withdrawal a year and Years the money lasts
Whether a distribution is permitted, whether any exception to the 10% additional tax applies, and what a series of substantially equal periodic payments must look like to avoid the recapture tax of IRC 72(t)(4) are tax determinations this tool does not make. The withdrawal projections assume a constant rate of return, which no real portfolio delivers. Confirm your position with a qualified tax adviser before acting.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
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Frequently asked questions
Which SWP plan is best?
Works out the level withdrawal a retirement pot can support, how many years a pot lasts at a chosen withdrawal rate, a section 72(t) series of substantially equal periodic payments under any of the three IRS methods. On the figures this page opens with — balance available 500,000, expected annual return 5% and annual inflation 0% — the years the money lasts is 13.4 years. Put your own figures in their place and the working updates beside the result.
Is SWP 100% safe?
It needs Balance available, Expected annual return, Annual inflation, Withdrawal frequency, Withdrawals are taken and Years the money must last. Nothing else is required, and the figures stay in your browser.
What is the 4% rule in SWP?
On the figures this page opens with — balance available 500,000, expected annual return 5%, annual inflation 0% and withdrawal each period 30,000 — the years the money lasts is 13.4 years. No single number fits everyone: change any figure above and the answer updates as you type, with each step of the arithmetic beside it.
What is the return of SWP in 10 years?
The result gives Sustainable withdrawal each period, Sustainable withdrawal a year, Years the money lasts, Months the money lasts, Age when the money runs out and Total withdrawn, each labelled with its unit so the figure can be read on its own.
What information do I need for the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) Calculator?
You need Balance available, Expected annual return, Annual inflation, Withdrawal frequency, Withdrawals are taken, Years the money must last, Withdrawal each period and Your age now. The page opens with default figures that give years the money lasts of 13.40 years, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) Calculator show?
It shows Sustainable withdrawal each period, Sustainable withdrawal a year, Years the money lasts, Months the money lasts, Age when the money runs out, Total withdrawn, Investment growth over the period and Balance left at the end, with the working and any warnings for your entries.