---
title: "What Is safe withdrawal rate? | Seek First Glossary"
description: "A safe withdrawal rate is the share of your portfolio you plan to spend each year in retirement. The name is a label only. No rate is guaranteed to last."
url: https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/safe-withdrawal-rate
publisher: Seek First
phone: +1-866-398-4044
contact: https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/contact
---

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Retirement

# safe withdrawal rate

A safe withdrawal rate is the share of your portfolio you plan to spend each year in retirement. The name is a label only. No rate is guaranteed to last.

A safe withdrawal rate is the share of your savings you plan to spend each year in retirement, such as a set percent of the starting balance, adjusted for inflation. The word "safe" is a label from planning research. It is not a promise. No spending rate is guaranteed to last, because markets, taxes, health costs and lifespans all vary.

**A round example.** For example, if a couple holds $1,000,000 and plans to spend 3% in year one, that is $30,000. In year two they adjust for inflation. These numbers are for illustration only and are not a recommendation.

**What changes the answer.** Your age, other income such as Social Security, taxes on each account, giving plans and the order of market gains and losses all matter. A plan that tests several cases is more useful than one fixed number.

**Why it matters to your plan.** A family that gives generously needs to know how much it can give and still meet its own needs. A written spending plan helps you decide that with a clear head. See our [retirement planning page](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/retirement-planning).

[Read nextChristian retirement planning: turn what you saved into income you can live on and give from](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/retirement-planning)

## Related terms

-   [sequence of returns risk](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/sequence-of-returns-risk)
-   [required minimum distribution](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/required-minimum-distribution)
-   [Social Security claiming strategy](https://seekfirst.multisites.ai/glossary/social-security-claiming-strategy)

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