Last Updated: May 2026
Retirement Planning Guides
The rules behind the calculators — written in plain English, sourced from IRS and SSA guidance, and updated for 2026.
A calculator gives you a number. These guides explain where the number comes from, which exceptions apply to your situation, and what the IRS does if you get it wrong. Each one is written to be read start to finish rather than skimmed for a definition.
Required Minimum Distributions
RMDs are where most retirement plans meet the IRS. These three guides cover the full picture.
What Is an RMD? Age, Rules, and Deadlines
The starting age by birth year, the April 1 first-year deadline and the double-RMD trap, which accounts are exempt, and four ways to shrink future distributions.
Read guide2026 RMD Tables: Every IRS Divisor
Complete Uniform Lifetime factors for ages 72 through 114 and Single Life factors for inherited accounts, with withdrawal percentages and dollar examples.
Read guideInherited IRA Distributions and the 10-Year Rule
Who the SECURE Act 10-year rule applies to, when annual distributions are also required, the subtract-one method, and the year-ten tax trap.
Read guideSocial Security
The claiming decision is worth more than most portfolio choices. These guides cover both sides of it.
When to Take Social Security
What each claiming age from 62 to 70 actually pays on 2026 figures, the break-even math, taxation of benefits, and who should claim early.
Read guideSpousal and Survivor Benefits
The 50% spousal benefit, the 100% survivor benefit, divorced-spouse eligibility, dependent benefits, and the standard strategy for couples.
Read guideRoth Conversions and IRA Limits
Tax-free money is built in the years before RMDs start. Here is how the rules and thresholds work.
The Roth Conversion Ladder
Sizing annual conversions to your bracket, the separate five-year clock on each conversion, and the IRMAA, ACA, and capital gains cliffs.
Read guide2026 Roth IRA Income Limits
Phase-out ranges, contribution caps, Traditional IRA deduction limits, and how the backdoor Roth works around the pro-rata rule.
Read guideHow We Write These Guides
Every figure traces back to a primary source: IRS Publication 590-B for distribution rules and life expectancy tables, IRS Notice 2025-67 for 2026 contribution limits, and the Social Security Administration for benefit and claiming figures. Where the law changed recently — and RMD law changed in 2020, 2023, and again for inherited accounts in 2025 — we say which version applies to which year.
We do not publish estimates dressed up as rules. When a situation genuinely depends on facts we cannot see, such as state taxation or a specific plan document, the guide says so rather than guessing.
More guides covering safe withdrawal rates, sequence-of-returns risk, and Medicare IRMAA planning are in progress.
All Retirement Planning Tools
Everything you need to plan and optimize your retirement — from savings projections to RMD compliance.
FIRE Calculator
Find your number for financial independence. Lean FIRE, Regular FIRE, Fat FIRE, and Coast FIRE scenarios.
Open calculatorRMD Calculator
Calculate your 2026 Required Minimum Distribution using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. RMDs begin at age 73.
Open calculatorRoth Conversion Analyzer
Should you convert to Roth in 2026? See the tax cost now versus the tax savings in retirement.
Open calculatorSocial Security Break-Even
Compare claiming at 62, 67, or 70. Find the exact age when delayed claiming pays off.
Open calculator401(k) Growth Calculator
Project your 401k balance with employer match and 2026 catch-up contributions included.
Open calculatorRetirement Income Calculator
How long will your savings last? Model monthly withdrawals and see your money timeline.
Open calculatorInherited IRA RMD Calculator
Beneficiary distributions under the SECURE Act 10-year rule, using the IRS Single Life Expectancy Table.
Open calculatorProjections are estimates based on your inputs and assumed rates of return. Actual investment performance, tax rates, and Social Security benefits will differ. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized retirement planning.