Super Drawdown Calculator

Compare withdrawal strategies using 98 years of real market data. Find the approach that balances income, sustainability, and risk.

Withdrawal Strategies Explained

How you withdraw from super in retirement matters as much as how much you saved. Different strategies balance competing goals: stable income, preserving capital, and managing market risk.

Fixed Real Income

Withdraw a constant amount adjusted for inflation each year. Provides predictable income but can deplete your portfolio if returns are poor. This is what most retirees instinctively do.

Vanguard Guardrails

Set upper and lower income bounds (guardrails). If your portfolio performs well, you increase withdrawals up to the upper bound. If it performs poorly, you reduce withdrawals to the lower bound. Balances stability with flexibility.

Dynamic Safe Withdrawal Rate

Adjust your withdrawal rate each year based on portfolio value and remaining life expectancy. You always withdraw a percentage of your current balance. Income varies more, but your portfolio is nearly guaranteed to last.

Floor-Ceiling Strategy

Define a minimum income floor (typically Age Pension plus essentials) and a maximum ceiling. Withdraw within this range based on portfolio performance. Ensures you never fall below essentials.

Sequence of Returns Risk

The order of returns matters enormously in retirement. Poor returns early while withdrawing can permanently damage your portfolio, even if markets recover. Dynamic strategies help manage this by reducing withdrawals during down markets.

Historical Backtesting

This calculator uses 98 years of real Australian and international market data (1928-2025). You can test how each strategy would have performed if you retired in any historical year, including the Great Depression, 1970s stagflation, 2008 GFC, and 2020 pandemic.

Calculate Your Drawdown

⚠️ Simplified Calculation: This is a basic sustainability projection. For strategy comparison (Fixed, Guardrails, Dynamic SWR, Floor-Ceiling), historical backtesting, and Monte Carlo analysis, use the full calculator.

How much you plan to withdraw each year

Net return after inflation

Want strategy comparison? The full calculator tests Fixed, Guardrails, Dynamic SWR, and Floor-Ceiling strategies with 98 years of historical data and Monte Carlo analysis. Launch full calculator →

Test Your Drawdown Strategy

Model different withdrawal approaches across 30+ years of retirement with real market data and Age Pension integration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a super drawdown strategy?
A drawdown strategy determines how much you withdraw from super each year in retirement. Different strategies balance the competing goals of maximizing income, preserving capital, and managing sequence of returns risk.
What's the difference between fixed and dynamic withdrawal?
Fixed income withdraws a constant real (inflation-adjusted) amount each year. Dynamic strategies adjust withdrawals based on portfolio performance, reducing in down markets and increasing in good markets to manage longevity risk.
What are Vanguard Guardrails?
Vanguard Guardrails is a dynamic strategy that sets upper and lower income bounds (guardrails). If your portfolio performs well, you increase withdrawals up to the upper guardrail. If it performs poorly, you decrease withdrawals to the lower guardrail. This balances income stability with portfolio sustainability.
How does sequence of returns risk affect my retirement?
Sequence of returns risk is the danger of poor market returns early in retirement. If you experience losses in the first few years while withdrawing, your portfolio may never recover, even if markets improve later. Dynamic strategies help manage this risk by reducing withdrawals during down markets.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute financial advice. SuperCalc Pro Pty Ltd does not hold an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). Always consult a licensed financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.