Retirement Income Calculator
How long will your pension pot last? Enter the starting pot, your monthly drawdown, expected investment return, and a horizon — see whether the pot is sustainable or when it depletes.
How is this calculated?
Year-by-year simulation: subtract the annual drawdown from the balance, then apply the expected return on the average balance during the year. Continues until the horizon ends or the pot falls below €1. This is a sustainability check — it doesn’t model tax, sequence-of-returns risk, or inflation explicitly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a sustainable withdrawal rate?
The classic '4% rule' suggests withdrawing 4% of your starting pot annually, adjusted for inflation, with a 30-year horizon. For Irish retirees, a 3.5%–4% rate is a reasonable starting point, but it depends heavily on asset allocation, fees, tax, and life expectancy.
Should I use ARF or annuity?
An ARF (Approved Retirement Fund) keeps your pot invested and lets you withdraw flexibly — but you bear the investment risk. An annuity converts your pot into a guaranteed income for life — but locks in current rates and removes flexibility. Many retirees split the pot between both.
How does the State Pension factor in?
The State Pension (Contributory) provides a guaranteed weekly income (€295.80/week in 2026 at the full rate). Treat it as a baseline that reduces how much you need to draw from your private pension. Use the State Pension Checker to estimate your entitlement.
What return should I assume?
Conservative for retirees: 3–5% real (after inflation, after fees) on a balanced portfolio. Lower if you're heavily in cash/bonds; higher only if you can stomach big year-to-year volatility late in life. The calculator's return field is nominal — subtract your inflation assumption mentally.
What's the difference between this and the pension projection calculator?
The pension projection calculator forecasts the pot at retirement. This calculator picks up where that one ends — it tells you how long the pot will last in drawdown. Use both: project to retirement, then test sustainability with this calculator.
Last updated: May 2026 · Rates sourced from Revenue