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How Long Will My Savings Last?

See how long your KiwiSaver or savings will last on top of NZ Super, and the most you can take each month for it to last.

$

What you have now

$

On top of NZ Super

More options· Investment return, inflation and how long it should last
%

A year

%

Withdrawals rise by this

Age

Your money lasts

21 years 7 months

To about age 86, taking $1,000 a month, rising with prices

Most you can take to last to 95
$788/mo
The 4% rule would give
$667/mo

What this means

To make your money last to age 95, take about $788 a month, $212 less than now. The 4% rule is a common starting point: take 4% of your savings in the first year, then raise it with prices.

KiwiSaver withdrawals after 65 are tax-free, because tax is paid on the returns as they’re earned.

Next step

Year by year

AgeTaken in the yearLeft
66$12,000$197,677
67$12,300$194,931
68$12,608$191,731
69$12,923$188,047
70$13,246$183,848
71$13,577$179,098
72$13,916$173,763
73$14,264$167,803
74$14,621$161,180
75$14,986$153,849
76$15,361$145,768
77$15,745$136,888
78$16,139$127,160
79$16,542$116,531
80$16,956$104,946
81$17,380$92,347
82$17,814$78,671
83$18,259$63,854
84$18,716$47,828
85$19,184$30,520
86$19,663$11,854
87$12,003$0

Ways to make it last longer

  • Take 10% less ($900 a month): lasts 24 years 10 months, to age 89.
  • Earn 1% more a year, for example with lower fees: lasts 24 years 10 months, to age 89.
  • Count NZ Super: it’s paid from 65 whatever your savings, so your savings only need to cover the extra.
Assumptions in this estimate
  • The return and inflation stay the same every year. Real returns go up and down, and a fall early in retirement makes money run out sooner.
  • Withdrawals are before any tax, and taken at the start of each month.
Spotted a mistake? Tell us

How the calculator works

  1. KiwiSaver or savings: what you have now.
  2. Monthly withdrawal: what you’ll take each month on top of NZ Super. It rises with inflation each year, so it buys the same.
  3. Result: how long the money lasts, and the most you can take for it to last to the age you choose (95 to start with).

Example

$200,000, taking $1,000 a month from age 65, with a 5% return and 2.5% inflation:

Result
Lasts 21 years 7 months, to 86
Most you can take to last to 95 $788 a month
The 4% rule $667 a month
Taking 10% less ($900) Lasts 24 years 10 months

Making your money last

  • Pick a fund that fits: after 65 you may still need your money for 20 or 30 years, so a very cautious fund can grow too slowly.
  • Keep fees low: 1% a year in fees can cut years off how long your money lasts.
  • Think about your home: many retirees’ biggest asset is their home, and downsizing can free up savings.

Still saving? The KiwiSaver calculator shows what you could have by retirement.

Last updated

Frequently asked questions

How long will $200,000 last in retirement?

Taking $1,000 a month on top of NZ Super, rising with prices, and earning 5% a year, it lasts about 21 years and 7 months. To make it last 30 years, take about $788 a month.

Should I count NZ Super?

Yes, but not in this calculator. NZ Super is paid from 65 whatever your savings, so enter only what you need from KiwiSaver and savings on top of it.

Are KiwiSaver withdrawals taxed?

No. Tax is paid on KiwiSaver returns as they’re earned, so money you take out after 65 isn’t taxed again.

What is the 4% rule?

Take 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement, then raise the amount with prices each year. It comes from US market history, so treat it as a starting point. On $200,000, it’s $8,000 a year, or about $667 a month.