See how much income a lump sum can pay. This free annuity calculator estimates your monthly payout, total payout and interest earned from a starting amount over any number of years.
Your annuity
$
%
Monthly payout
— /mo
Enter an amount, rate and years
Total payout
—
Interest earned
—
Annual payout
—
Payout period
—
Results update automatically as you type. A fixed-period payout estimate — actual annuity products vary.
Use this free annuity calculator to see how much income a lump sum can pay out over time. Enter your starting amount, an interest rate and a payout period to find your monthly income, total payout and interest earned.
What this annuity calculator shows you
An annuity calculator turns a lump sum into a stream of income. Enter your starting amount, the interest rate it earns and how many years you want it to last, and it returns your monthly payout, annual payout, total payout and the interest earned while the balance is drawn down.
It’s useful for planning retirement income — working out how much a savings pot could safely pay you each month over a set number of years.
How annuity payouts are calculated
Payment = P × i ÷ [ 1 − (1 + i)−n ]
Where P is your starting amount, i is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of monthly payments. The remaining balance keeps earning interest, which is why total payouts exceed your original principal. A $500,000 sum at 5% over 20 years pays about $3,300 a month.
How to use the annuity calculator
Enter your starting amount. The lump sum you’ll draw income from.
Add the annual interest rate. What the balance earns while being paid out.
Set the payout period in years. How long you want the income to last.
Read your result. Monthly payout and totals update instantly.
Types of annuities
Fixed annuity — pays a guaranteed, steady amount.
Variable annuity — payouts vary with investment performance.
Immediate annuity — income begins right after you pay in.
Deferred annuity — money grows first, with income starting later.
Annuity terms glossary
Term
What it means
Annuity
A financial product that pays a regular income.
Principal
The lump sum you start with.
Payout period
How long the income payments last.
Annuitization
Converting a lump sum into a stream of payments.
Fixed vs variable
Guaranteed payouts versus market-linked ones.
Annuity Calculator FAQ
How is an annuity payout calculated?
It uses Payment = P × i ÷ [1 − (1 + i)−n], where P is your starting amount, i is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of monthly payments. The remaining balance keeps earning interest as it's paid out.
How much does a $500,000 annuity pay per month?
It depends on the rate and period. At 5% over 20 years, a $500,000 lump sum pays roughly $3,300 a month. A longer payout period or lower rate reduces the monthly amount.
What is the difference between a fixed and variable annuity?
A fixed annuity pays a guaranteed, steady amount, while a variable annuity's payments rise and fall with the performance of underlying investments.
What is annuitization?
Annuitization is the process of converting a lump sum into a stream of regular income payments over a set period or for life.
Why is the total payout more than my principal?
Because your remaining balance continues earning interest while it's being paid out, so the total of all payments is larger than the amount you started with.
Is the annuity calculator free to use?
Yes, this annuity calculator is completely free, needs no sign-up, and gives instant results directly in your browser.