How Long Will Your Nest Egg Last?

BlackRock has a useful chart on its web site that can give you a quick and dirty read on whether you’re planning to spend too much in retirement. Choose an estimated investment return, match it to a withdrawal rate from your nest egg, and it shows how long your money will last. It’s interesting to see how much faster your nest egg is spent down when your contribution rate is increased by only one percentage point.

Keep in mind this is a rough estimate. For example, it assumes your investment return is s steady rate every year. You’re more likely to earn a variable, and that could make the actual experience better or worse.