Annuity Payout Calculator
Calculate the maximum sustainable periodic payout from a principal balance at a chosen distribution frequency and expected rate of return, without depleting principal.
How It's Calculated
Formula
\text{Payout} = \text{Principal} \times \dfrac{r}{n}This calculator answers a specific question: given a principal balance, how much can you withdraw every period, FOREVER, without ever shrinking that balance? It withdraws only the interest the balance earns each period at your expected rate of return, leaving the principal itself untouched indefinitely — the maximum a fixed periodic distribution can sustain over an unlimited horizon. This is a generic, deterministic estimate. It does not model a fixed distribution period, mortality/life-expectancy tables, fees, taxes, or market volatility — an actual investment or annuity's sustainable withdrawal rate in practice may differ. Check with a licensed financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation; this is not investment advice.
Worked Examples
$500,000 principal, monthly distributions, 6% expected annual return
- Periodic rate = 0.06 / 12 = 0.005
- Maximum sustainable payout = 500,000 × 0.005 = $2,500/month
$200,000 principal, quarterly distributions, 4% expected annual return
- Periodic rate = 0.04 / 4 = 0.01
- Maximum sustainable payout = 200,000 × 0.01 = $2,000/quarter
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't this ask how many years I want payouts for?
Because it isn't computing a fixed-term payout — it's computing the maximum amount you could withdraw every period without ever running out, by never touching the principal itself, only its interest. There's no end date because, mathematically, this payout can continue indefinitely at the stated rate of return.
Does this account for my life expectancy?
No. This calculator has no life-expectancy or mortality-table input, so it never assumes one. It answers a purely mathematical sustainability question — the interest-only payout a balance can support forever — not a personalized retirement-income projection.
Can I actually withdraw more than this amount?
You can, but doing so means you'd be drawing down the principal balance itself, not just its interest — the balance would shrink over time rather than lasting indefinitely. This calculator specifically reports the ceiling that keeps the balance intact forever, not a maximum for any particular fixed number of years.
How is this different from the Annuity Calculator?
The Annuity Calculator starts from a starting premium and grows it over a deferral period before computing a benefit. This calculator skips the growth phase entirely and starts directly from a principal balance you already have, distributed at a frequency you choose.