🧮 2026 figures: These tools use the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and the CMS 2026 Medicare premium announcement.
Free educational tools

Retirement tax calculators — see your numbers

Three quick tools built on published IRS and Medicare figures. Each takes under a minute, runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you enter is stored or transmitted.

1

RMD Estimator

Under SECURE 2.0, Required Minimum Distributions begin at age 73 (born 1951–1959) or 75 (born 1960 or later). Estimate your first RMD and see how forced withdrawals grow.

Your RMD start age
First RMD year
Estimated first-year RMD
YearAgeProjected balanceEstimated RMD

Assumes IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (spouse not more than 10 years younger), year-end balances, and steady growth. Educational estimate only — your actual RMD is calculated from the prior December 31 balance each year.

2

2026 IRMAA Tier Checker

Medicare's income surcharge uses a 2-year lookback: your 2024 MAGI sets your 2026 premiums. Every threshold is a cliff — $1 over triggers the full tier.

Your 2026 tier
Part B / month / person
Part D surcharge / month
Extra cost / year

2026 figures per CMS (announced Nov 14, 2025): standard Part B $202.90/mo. Surcharge applies per person. MAGI = AGI + tax-exempt interest. Married filing separately uses different thresholds not shown here.

3

Widow Tax Penalty Estimator

When one spouse passes, the survivor typically keeps most of the household income — but files in single brackets with half the standard deduction. See the penalty in dollars.

Federal tax as a couple (MFJ)
Survivor's tax filing single
The Widow Tax Penalty / year

Uses 2026 federal brackets (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32) applied to taxable income; a surviving spouse may generally use MFJ brackets in the year of death and, with a dependent child, for two more years — this tool shows the ongoing single-filer years. State taxes, the senior deduction, and Social Security recalculation not included.

4

Social Security Tax Torpedo

How much of your Social Security gets dragged into taxation depends on "provisional income" — thresholds set in 1983/1993 and never indexed for inflation. Includes an optional stress test of the projected 2032 funding gap.

Provisional income
SS subject to income tax
Share of benefits taxed

Provisional income = AGI (excluding SS) + tax-exempt interest + 50% of benefits. Thresholds: $25,000/$34,000 single, $32,000/$44,000 MFJ — unindexed since enactment. Up to 85% of benefits can be taxable. Stress test reflects the 2026 Trustees Report projection that the OASI fund depletes in late 2032, after which payroll taxes cover ~78% of scheduled benefits absent Congressional action; Congress has historically acted before such cuts occurred. The OBBBA senior deduction (2025–2028) may offset tax owed but does not change how much SS counts as taxable.

Free 2-minute self-assessment

Numbers are the symptoms. Get the diagnosis.

The Retirement Tax Readiness Score connects RMDs, IRMAA, and the Widow Tax Penalty into one picture of your exposure — in 13 questions.

Get My Score →

These calculators are educational tools based on publicly available IRS and CMS figures. Results are estimates from your inputs, are not verified, and do not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice or a recommendation of any product or strategy. Consult qualified professionals regarding your individual situation. IRS Circular 230: any tax information on this page is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.