Retirement Planning Calculators
12 tools in this collection — free, instant, and private in your browser.
Retirement planning requires balancing two competing uncertainties: how long your money needs to last, and how much it will grow between now and the day you stop working. This collection of calculators addresses every major phase of that journey, from early accumulation through the distribution years when you are drawing down savings.
The first step for most people is choosing an account type. The Roth vs. Traditional calculator compares after-tax wealth under different assumptions about your current versus future tax rate. If you are self-employed, the SEP-IRA calculator shows how much of your net profit you can shelter each year. Employees at nonprofits or schools should explore the 403(b) calculator, which mirrors a 401(k) but has unique contribution rules. If you are closer to retirement and behind on savings, the catch-up contribution calculator quantifies the boost available to savers aged 50 and older.
Mid-career planners often gravitate toward FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) concepts. The Coast FIRE calculator answers a specific question: if you stop contributing today, will your existing balance grow enough to fund retirement at a conventional age? The savings rate to retire calculator works backward from a target retirement date to show what percentage of income you must save each month. The retirement shortfall calculator compares your projected balance against your projected spending needs, surfacing the gap while there is still time to close it.
In the distribution phase, the required minimum distribution (RMD) calculator handles IRS-mandated withdrawals from pre-tax accounts starting at age 73. The retirement withdrawal calculator models sustainable spending rates so your portfolio does not run dry. For those weighing a pension or annuity offer, the pension lump sum vs. annuity calculator and the annuity payout calculator let you compare lifetime income streams against a one-time transfer of capital.
Finally, the Social Security benefit estimate calculator projects your monthly benefit at different claiming ages, which can shift your strategy significantly since delaying from 62 to 70 can increase benefits by 76 percent or more.
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| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| 403(b) Calculator | Project the future value of your 403(b) retirement plan from your salary, contribution rate, employer match, and expected return. |
| Annuity Payout Calculator | Calculate the monthly income a fixed annuity or lump sum can pay over a set period at a given interest rate. |
| Catch-Up Contribution Calculator | See your total retirement contribution limit including the age-50 catch-up amount for 401(k), IRA, and similar plans. |
| Coast FIRE Calculator | Find your Coast FIRE number — the portfolio that, left untouched, grows into full financial independence by your target retirement age. |
| Pension Lump Sum vs Annuity Calculator | Compare a pension lump-sum offer against the lifetime annuity by discounting the monthly payments to their present value. |
| Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Calculator | Estimate your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. |
| Retirement Shortfall Calculator | Compare the nest egg you'll need against what your current savings and contributions are projected to grow to, and see any retirement shortfall. |
| Retirement Withdrawal Calculator | Calculate how much you can withdraw from your retirement portfolio each year and month using the 4% safe-withdrawal rule. |
| Roth vs Traditional Calculator | Compare the after-tax retirement value of a Roth vs a Traditional (pre-tax) contribution based on your tax rates now and in retirement. |
| SEP-IRA Calculator | Estimate your maximum SEP-IRA contribution from your compensation and contribution rate, with the IRS compensation cap and dollar limit applied. |
| Savings Rate to Retire Calculator | Find the share of your income you need to save each year to hit your retirement target by your chosen age. |
| Social Security Benefit Estimate Calculator | Estimate your monthly Social Security benefit from your average indexed earnings and claiming age using the SSA bend-point formula. |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Coast FIRE and regular FIRE?
- Regular FIRE targets a portfolio large enough to fund withdrawals indefinitely right now. Coast FIRE targets a smaller balance that, left untouched, will compound to a full FIRE number by conventional retirement age. Coast FIRE lets you stop contributing aggressively while still working enough to cover current expenses.
- When must I start taking required minimum distributions?
- Under current law (SECURE 2.0), the RMD starting age is 73 for most people born between 1951 and 1959, and 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs during the owner's lifetime, but inherited Roth IRAs generally are.
- Should I take my pension as a lump sum or as monthly payments?
- The answer depends on your health, investment confidence, and whether survivors need income after your death. A lump sum gives control and potential upside but puts longevity risk on you. Monthly payments provide a guaranteed income floor and are often the safer choice for those without strong investment backgrounds or with health concerns suggesting a long life expectancy.