The 4% Rule — explained

Withdrawal Mode

You've built the wealth. Now here's how to live off it forever — without ever touching the principal.

Your portfolio

Total portfolio value today

This is the total invested portfolio you have right now — not including property or super unless accessible. Enter today's value, not a projected future one — the "years until you start withdrawing" setting below already grows it forward for you.

Assumptions

Annual investment return

Withdrawal rate

Years until you start withdrawing

25 yrs

Expected inflation rate

The 4% rule is based on decades of research showing a 4% annual withdrawal has historically never depleted a diversified portfolio over 30+ years.

Your annual income

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from your portfolio — without touching the principal

Monthly

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Fortnightly

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Weekly

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The magic of this

This year, your portfolio earns —

You withdraw — to live on

— stays invested and keeps growing

This year, step by step

Start of year—

↓ Investment returns—

↓ Income paid to you—

End of year—

Looking further ahead

Portfolio in 10 years —

Portfolio in 20 years —

Your portfolio journey

The line shows portfolio value through retirement, on your current settings.

Will your money last?

This first grows your portfolio for the years you said you'll keep working, then models a fixed real withdrawal over a 30-year retirement from that point — the standard test behind the 4% rule. The withdrawal grows with inflation each year to keep the same buying power. This is a different (usually harder) test than the percentage-of-portfolio numbers above.

Confidence

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After 30 years

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On your current settings

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With 2% stronger returns

Reading your numbers...

What if I spend more?

Same portfolio. Different withdrawal rates. See the trade-off between income and growth.

Your takeaway

These numbers assume your portfolio grows at the rate you've chosen — capital gains, dividends, everything combined. Real returns vary and depend on what you're invested in. Educational only — not financial advice.