SOLVED: Will My Savings Run Out in Retirement?
How to make sure your money will last.
If you withdraw 4% of your personal savings during your first year in retirement and adjust subsequent withdrawals to compensate for inflation, you're virtually assured of never outliving your money over a 30-year retirement.
That's a conservative rule of thumb, but it would protect you even if you happen to retire during a bear market and end up having to withdraw funds from a dwindling balance.
See How Much is Enough? for more information. And use Kiplinger.com's calculators to estimate yourretirement target, Social Security benefits and how bigger contributions to retirement accounts can add up.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Row 0 - Cell 0 | Fresh Ideas for Retiring Rich |
Row 1 - Cell 0 | Three Simple Ways to Reach Your Number |
Row 2 - Cell 0 | What to Ask Before Buying an Annuity |
Go back to our main list for more problems solved
Go to our slide show for other helpful tips
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Social Security New Rule: Overpayments Must Be Paid Back 100%. Why It Matters
As of March 27, the SSA will require beneficiaries who have been accidentally overpaid to repay 100% of the money, reversing a previous policy that allowed for only 10% recoupment.
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
Medicare and Medicaid Employees Offered New Buyouts: What You Need to Know
Federal HHS workers who inspect food, research diseases and administer Medicare and Medicaid are offered $25,000 buyouts
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should Know
Healthy Living on a Budget Medicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
By Donna LeValley Published
-
15 Reasons You'll Regret an RV in Retirement
Making Your Money Last Here's why you might regret an RV in retirement. RV-savvy retirees talk about the downsides of spending retirement in a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel or other recreational vehicle.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025
Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025. That's good news for state and local government employees
By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated
-
13 Smart Estate Planning Moves
retirement Follow this estate planning checklist for you (and your heirs) to hold on to more of your hard-earned money.
By Janet Kidd Stewart Last updated
-
Medicare Basics: 11 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
-
The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkids
inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
By David Rodeck Last updated
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 in 2024 and $70,000 in 2025..
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated