SWP Calculator — Simulate Withdrawals & Remaining Corpus
Enter corpus, expected return, withdrawal amount and duration. Choose frequency: monthly, quarterly or yearly.
What is an SWP and why use a calculator?
How this calculator models real life
This tool works period-by-period. If you choose monthly frequency, it divides the year into months, applies a periodic return, then withdraws the amount you entered. It continues for the chosen duration or stops early when the corpus becomes zero. This method closely mirrors mutual fund behavior where returns accumulate and then you redeem units to take money out.
Why frequency matters
Frequency changes how quickly your corpus compounds and how often money leaves. Monthly withdrawals mean more frequent redemptions but smaller period growth. Quarterly and yearly withdrawals give the corpus more time to grow between redemptions. Use the calculator to compare frequency options and choose what best matches your cash flow needs.
Simple example
Suppose you have 22,00,000 invested and expect 12% annual return. You withdraw 16,348 each month for 10 years. The calculator simulates 120 months, adding 1% monthly growth (12%/12) before each withdrawal. You will see total withdrawals and final corpus. If withdrawals are too high, it will show the exact period when the corpus is exhausted — this helps you adjust the plan before you start withdrawing in real life.
Taxes and withdrawals
Each SWP withdrawal includes some principal and some gains. Tax is typically charged only on the gains portion and depends on the fund type and holding period. Equity funds have different tax rules compared to debt funds. Fixed deposits are taxed as regular income, often making SWP more tax-efficient for long-term withdrawals. Always consider post-tax returns when planning withdrawals.
How to choose withdrawal size
A safe withdrawal rate depends on your horizon and risk tolerance. For perpetual income, many financial advisers suggest 4–6% of the corpus per year. For a fixed term like 10 years, you can choose a higher rate because the goal is to exhaust the corpus in that period. Use this calculator to test different withdrawal amounts and pick one that keeps your final corpus at an acceptable level.
Practical tips
- Keep 6–12 months of emergency cash separate to avoid selling investments during market drops.
- Consider hybrid or balanced funds to reduce volatility if you need steady income.
- Review your withdrawal and returns annually and adjust as needed.
- Factor inflation into long-term plans — withdrawing the same amount will buy less over time.
SWP vs FD — short comparison
Fixed deposits (FD) give guaranteed returns and safety, but over long periods their real returns (after tax and inflation) can be low. SWP from equity or hybrid funds carries market risk but can give higher long-term growth and better inflation protection. A common strategy is to keep a portion in safe assets for short-term needs and use SWP from growth funds for long-term income.
Use this calculator to simulate realistic scenarios and choose a withdrawal plan that fits your goals and comfort with risk.