Savings Withdrawal Impact Calculator
See how a one-off withdrawal from an Australian savings account affects long-term growth compared with leaving the balance untouched.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Future value lost
- Future value lost = withdrawal amount × (1 + annual rate)^years
Worked example
Withdrawing $5,000 from savings earning 5% p.a. that would otherwise sit for 10 years costs about $8,144 in future value — $3,144 more than the cash withdrawn today.
Assumptions
- Assumes the withdrawn amount would otherwise have remained invested at the stated rate for the full period.
- Excludes tax on the interest that would have been earned.
How this calculator works
Withdrawing from savings doesn't just reduce your balance today, it also reduces the interest that balance would have earned over time. Enter your current balance, a planned withdrawal amount, interest rate and time horizon to see the future value lost by making that withdrawal now.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a withdrawal cost more than its face value?
Because the withdrawn amount stops earning compound interest, so its true cost over time is higher than the amount taken out today.
Does the time horizon matter?
Yes, the longer the money would have been left to grow, the larger the lost future value from an early withdrawal.
Should this stop me from using an emergency fund?
No, emergency funds exist to be used when needed; this calculator simply shows the growth trade-off so withdrawals are a considered choice.
Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.