Stax

SWP Calculator

Calculate Systematic Withdrawal Plan returns. See final balance, total withdrawn, and how long your corpus lasts.

What is a SWP calculator?

A SWP calculator simulates monthly withdrawals from an investment that continues to earn returns on the remaining balance. It tells you how much corpus is left after the chosen tenure — or whether the corpus exhausts before the tenure ends.

SWP for retirement planning

SWPs are the standard income strategy for retirees in India. Park your retirement corpus in a balanced or hybrid fund (returns: 8–10%) and withdraw 5–6% annually. Done right, the corpus can last 25–30 years while still providing inflation-adjusted income. The calculator helps you size the corpus and pick a sustainable withdrawal rate.

SWP vs annuity

Annuities give guaranteed lifetime income but historically poor returns (5–6% pre-tax). SWP from mutual funds gives you control, higher expected returns, and your heirs inherit the residual — but requires discipline and survives only as long as your corpus does. Most retirees use a hybrid: 30% in annuity for floor income, 70% in SWP for upside.

Frequently asked questions

What is a SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan)?
An SWP is a feature offered by mutual funds that lets you withdraw a fixed amount monthly from your investment, while the remaining balance continues to earn returns. It's the inverse of an SIP and is widely used for retirement income.
How is SWP different from FD interest payout?
FD payouts pay only the interest — your principal is locked in until maturity. SWP withdrawals come from both growth and principal, meaning you can withdraw a higher monthly amount but your corpus eventually depletes if returns can't keep up.
What is the 4% safe withdrawal rate?
A retirement-planning rule of thumb: withdraw 4% of your initial corpus annually (adjusted for inflation), and historically the corpus survives a 30-year retirement at typical equity/debt mixes. For India, given higher returns and inflation, the equivalent rate sits around 5–6%.
How does taxation work on SWP?
Each SWP withdrawal is treated as a redemption. For equity funds: STCG (15%) if held <12 months, LTCG (12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh/yr) if held >12 months. For debt funds (post-April 2023): always slab rate. Only the gain portion of each withdrawal is taxed, not the principal.
When does my corpus run out?
If your monthly withdrawal exceeds the monthly return rate × current corpus, the principal starts depleting. The calculator shows the final balance — if it hits zero before your tenure ends, you've withdrawn more than the corpus could sustain at that return rate.

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