Ripper I do not claim to have magic vision - but here is how I approached this issue. I said I could withdraw somewhere in the range of 3.5 to 3.75% and adjust for inflation. Some people will say more, a few much more. In this area choices have consequences and running out of money or taking a serious income haircut above age 75 is not something I care to face. If my withdraw rate is too damn conservative great - I can buy more computers and donate money to whomever. If my withdraw assumptions are too aggressive, I will have lots of company.

You mentioned the lump sum payment assumptions I used - I am lazy. Yes your IRA contributions will happen through the year, but when that money is actually invested is another issue. There are studies that say putting money in the market at this month or that year in an election cycle gets you 0.X% more compounded return. In my view the assumptions have uncertainties, particularly out 10 years or more that greatly exceed any errors made by using annual vs monthly or even weekly payments.

Gordon
Atlanta