Retirement Withdrawal Calculator
The order you withdraw matters. Taxable first (long-term capital gains, taxed at 0/15/20% by bracket), then 401(k)/IRA (ordinary income), then Roth (tax-free). See your year-by-year withdrawal schedule and total tax paid.
Total Tax Paid
$471,344Initial Withdrawal Rate
4.4%IRMAA Years
0Depletion Age
100+Optimal order: taxable (long-term capital gains, 0/15/20% by bracket) → tax-deferred (ordinary income) → Roth (tax-free). RMDs begin at 73.
| Age | Taxable WD | 401k WD | Roth WD | SS | Tax | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $80,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,823,200 |
| 68 | $55,401 | $0 | $0 | $30,750 | $0 | $1,954,342 |
| 71 | $59,661 | $0 | $0 | $33,114 | $0 | $2,131,380 |
| 74 | $63,341 | $63,754 | $0 | $35,661 | $6,928 | $2,192,944 |
| 77 | $0 | $74,647 | $0 | $38,403 | $8,515 | $2,372,722 |
| 80 | $0 | $87,646 | $0 | $41,355 | $10,376 | $2,545,868 |
| 83 | $0 | $101,592 | $0 | $44,535 | $13,018 | $2,706,053 |
| 86 | $0 | $117,211 | $0 | $47,960 | $17,095 | $2,845,315 |
| 89 | $0 | $132,559 | $0 | $51,647 | $21,161 | $2,959,657 |
| 92 | $0 | $145,814 | $0 | $55,618 | $24,820 | $3,048,220 |
| 95 | $0 | $154,159 | $0 | $59,895 | $27,455 | $3,117,353 |
| 98 | $0 | $152,601 | $0 | $64,500 | $27,974 | $3,194,374 |
Retirement withdrawal FAQs
What is the most tax-efficient retirement withdrawal order?
There is no universal order. Taxable assets, tax-deferred accounts, Roth accounts, Social Security, RMDs, capital-gain brackets, and IRMAA interact. A common starting strategy spends taxable assets while selectively filling low ordinary-income brackets with IRA withdrawals or Roth conversions.
Do required minimum distributions change the plan?
Yes. Once RMDs begin, the required amount must leave tax-deferred accounts each year and is generally ordinary income. Earlier withdrawals or Roth conversions can reduce later balances, but they can also raise current tax and Medicare MAGI.
How do withdrawals affect Social Security taxation?
Taxable IRA and 401(k) withdrawals increase provisional income. Depending on filing status and other income, up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be included in federal taxable income.
Does the calculator guarantee an optimal withdrawal strategy?
No. It models assumptions entered by the user and a defined withdrawal sequence. Future returns, tax law, spending, account basis, state tax, healthcare costs, and estate goals can make a different strategy preferable.
Sources
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