Reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to seismic excitation resist lateral-load by undergoing inelastic deformations in their critical regions. This results in the accumulation of low-cycle fatigue damage in reinforcing bars and increases the likelihood of premature failure in future earthquakes and aftershocks. Therefore, this paper investigates the combined effect of bar buckling and low-cycle fatigue damage on the remaining life of RC bridge piers. For this purpose, a numerical model capable of simulating the seismic response of RC bridge piers is developed and non-linear time history analysis is carried out. A suite of ground motions representing the seismicity in Wellington CBD is adopted for numerical analysis. Reinforcing bar strain histories are extracted from the numerical analysis, and accumulated damage in the plastic hinge regions of the column is evaluated. Further, a novel fatigue life model that incorporates the effect of bar buckling on fatigue life of reinforcing bars is implemented and effect of bar buckling on the remaining life of a typical RC bridge pier is analytically evaluated. Comparative evaluation of the numerical results is carried out and effect of ground motion intensity and transverse reinforcement detailing (represented by the bar buckling length) on the remaining life of RC bridge piers is quantified.