Stack Social Security, pension, and portfolio withdrawals to see your real monthly retirement income.
A free retirement-income planner that combines guaranteed income (Social Security, pension) with portfolio withdrawals at your chosen safe withdrawal rate, then subtracts taxes so you see what actually lands in your account each month.
Direct answers to the most common questions, in plain language. Skim if you're in a hurry; dig deeper below.
Stack Social Security + pension + portfolio withdrawals, then subtract taxes.
Your monthly retirement income is the sum of Social Security, any pension, other guaranteed sources (annuities, rentals), and a sustainable withdrawal from your portfolio — typically 4% per year. Subtract your effective tax rate to get the take-home number that actually shows up in your account.
70–80% of your pre-retirement income is the standard target.
Most planners aim to replace 70–80% of pre-retirement income, because some expenses (commute, payroll taxes, retirement contributions) disappear. High earners may need less; renters or those with health issues may need more. The calculator shows your current ratio so you can compare.
Withdraw 4% of your starting balance, adjusted for inflation each year.
The 4% rule, from the Trinity study, suggests a 4% initial withdrawal rate has historically supported 30+ years of retirement across most market conditions. Many planners now use 3.5–4% as a conservative starting point. Bump it to 4.5–5% if you have flexibility to cut spending in down markets.
Yes, partially — up to 85% of benefits can be federally taxed.
Depending on your combined income, 0%, 50%, or 85% of Social Security benefits are federally taxable. Pension income and traditional 401(k)/IRA withdrawals are usually fully taxable. Roth withdrawals are tax-free. The tax-rate input lets you estimate the after-tax number.
The mechanics in short answers — no jargon, no upsell.
Social Security, pension, and any other monthly income that arrives no matter what the market does. This is the floor of your retirement paycheck.
A 4% safe withdrawal rate on a $500,000 balance equals $20,000/year, or about $1,667/month. The calculator does this conversion for any balance and rate you pick.
Add guaranteed income and portfolio withdrawal to get pre-tax monthly income. This is what most calculators show — and it’s only half the story.
Apply your effective tax rate to the pre-tax total. The after-tax monthly figure is what you can actually spend on food, housing, healthcare, and life.
Designed so anyone can model their situation in under a minute, with or without a finance background.
Social Security, pension, annuities, rentals, and portfolio withdrawals in one combined monthly number.
Most calculators stop at gross income. We subtract your tax rate so you see what actually lands in your account.
Compare your projected monthly income to what you earned while working — the most honest readiness check.
Try 3%, 4%, or 5% and see how much spending flexibility you really have without running out.
Knowing how much of your monthly need is covered by Social Security and pension changes everything.
A small shortfall today is a few more working years or a higher savings rate — both fixable in advance.
Everything you might ask before, during, or after using this tool.
A common target is 70–80% of your pre-retirement gross income. If you earned $100,000/year, plan for $5,800–$6,700/month in retirement. Adjust upward if you plan to travel heavily, support family, or have health concerns; downward if you’ll have a paid-off home and lower fixed costs.
The average retired-worker benefit is roughly $1,950/month in 2026, and the maximum at full retirement age is around $4,000/month. Your exact number depends on your 35 highest-earning years and the age you claim. Pull your statement at ssa.gov for the most accurate input.
Claiming at 62 gives you a permanently smaller check (about 70–75% of your full benefit). Waiting until 70 grows your benefit by roughly 8% per year past full retirement age. If you expect to live past 80 and have other income to bridge the gap, delaying usually wins. If you need the income or have health issues, claiming early can be the right call.
Multiply your portfolio balance by your withdrawal rate, then divide by 12 for the monthly amount. A $750,000 balance × 4% = $30,000/year, or $2,500/month. The calculator above does this instantly and shows it alongside your guaranteed income.
Yes, in most cases. Federal pensions and most private pensions are fully taxable as ordinary income. A handful of states (Florida, Texas, Nevada, and others) don’t tax pension income; some states partially exempt it. Use a blended effective rate of 15–25% for a rough first estimate.
You have four levers: save more, work a year or two longer, plan to spend less, or take on a bit more market risk in retirement. Working two extra years often improves both sides — more savings going in, fewer drawdown years, and a higher Social Security benefit. The calculator lets you test all four quickly.
Not in the portfolio balance for this calculator — home equity isn’t producing monthly income unless you downsize, rent it out, or take a reverse mortgage. If you plan to do one of those, you can convert the proceeds to an estimated monthly amount and add it under “other guaranteed income.”
It remains the most-studied benchmark, but recent research suggests 3.5–4% is a more durable starting point given today’s valuations and longer life expectancies. Retirees who stay flexible — willing to trim 10–15% in a bear market — can usually run 4.5%. The calculator lets you compare both extremes.
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The standard answer is 70–80% of pre-retirement income, and it holds up well for most middle-income households. The reasoning: you stop paying payroll taxes, you stop saving for retirement, your commute and work-clothes costs disappear, and your mortgage is often gone.
High earners ($200k+) sometimes need only 60–65% because so much of their pre-retirement income was being saved. People who plan to travel a lot, support adult children, or have major healthcare exposure should target 85–95%. There is no universally correct number; what matters is that you pick one and aim at it.
Social Security is partially taxable based on your "combined income," which is your AGI + nontaxable interest + half your SS benefits. Below $25k (single) or $32k (married), none of it is taxed. Above $34k or $44k, up to 85% of your benefit gets included in federal taxable income — though it’s still taxed at your ordinary rate, not at 85%.
Thirteen states also tax Social Security in some form, with thresholds and exemptions that vary widely. If you’re considering retirement relocation, the state tax treatment of SS, pensions, and 401(k) withdrawals can swing your after-tax income by thousands per year.
Claiming at 62 locks in roughly 70–75% of your full retirement age benefit, for life. Claiming at full retirement age (66–67) gives you 100%. Waiting until 70 grows the benefit by about 8% per year past FRA — a guaranteed, government-backed inflation-adjusted return that’s hard to match anywhere else.
The "right" claiming age is mostly a longevity bet. The breakeven between claiming at 62 and claiming at 70 is usually around age 80. If you expect to live past 82–85, delaying almost always wins on lifetime dollars. If your health is poor or family longevity is short, claiming earlier is often the better call. A spouse with a lower benefit can also claim early while the higher earner delays — a common dual-strategy move.
Two short notes worth reading before you trust any number on this page.
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Results are not financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before any decision about your loan, investments, or personal finances. Actual loan terms and charges depend on your bank and individual circumstances.
