Account-Based Pension Drawdown Calculator
Project how long an account-based pension balance will last given your drawdown rate and assumed investment return.
Your results
Balance appears sustainable well beyond 60 years at these settings.
Projected balance (capped at 40 years shown)
| Year | Balance |
|---|---|
| 1 | $394,800 |
| 2 | $389,668 |
| 3 | $384,602 |
| 4 | $379,602 |
| 5 | $374,667 |
| 6 | $369,797 |
| 7 | $364,989 |
| 8 | $360,244 |
| 9 | $355,561 |
| 10 | $350,939 |
| 11 | $346,377 |
| 12 | $341,874 |
| 13 | $337,429 |
| 14 | $333,043 |
| 15 | $328,713 |
| 16 | $324,440 |
| 17 | $320,222 |
| 18 | $316,059 |
| 19 | $311,951 |
| 20 | $307,895 |
| 21 | $303,893 |
| 22 | $299,942 |
| 23 | $296,043 |
| 24 | $292,194 |
| 25 | $288,396 |
| 26 | $284,647 |
| 27 | $280,946 |
| 28 | $277,294 |
| 29 | $273,689 |
| 30 | $270,131 |
| 31 | $266,619 |
| 32 | $263,153 |
| 33 | $259,732 |
| 34 | $256,356 |
| 35 | $253,023 |
| 36 | $249,734 |
| 37 | $246,487 |
| 38 | $243,283 |
| 39 | $240,120 |
| 40 | $236,999 |
Calculation breakdown
- Yearly step
- balance = (balance − balance × drawdown rate) × (1 + return)
Worked example
A $400,000 balance drawn at 6% a year with 5% investment returns lasts a little over 30 years.
Assumptions
- Minimum drawdown percentages are set by regulation and not built in — confirm your minimum with the ATO or your fund.
- Assumes constant drawdown rate and return each year.
How this calculator works
This calculator projects an account-based pension balance year by year, applying investment earnings and your chosen annual drawdown, to estimate how many years the balance is likely to last. It builds a year-by-year table so you can see the balance trajectory.
Rates sourced from the Australian Taxation Office for the 2026–27 financial year. Last reviewed 01/07/2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is an account-based pension?
It's a retirement income stream paid from your super balance, where you choose a drawdown rate (subject to the ATO minimum) and the balance stays invested.
What happens when the balance runs out?
The projection stops when the balance reaches zero; from then you would rely on other savings or the Age Pension, subject to eligibility.
Is the minimum drawdown rate built in?
No, minimum drawdown percentages are age-based and set by regulation, so enter your own chosen or required rate — check the minimum pension payment calculator or the ATO for current minimums.
Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.
Rates and thresholds are configured for the 2026–27 Australian financial year and should be reviewed when government settings change.