🇺🇸 United States drawdown calculator
How should I withdraw from my 401(k), IRA, and Roth in retirement?
Drawing in the wrong order can cost you tens of thousands in unnecessary tax. This calculator plans year-by-year across your taxable, traditional, and Roth accounts. It handles the IRS forced withdrawals at age 73, the way Social Security gets taxed once your income crosses certain levels, and the Medicare premium surcharges that kick in for higher-income retirees.
Account types we model
How we calculate this
- Federal income tax uses the IRS 2026 brackets. Forced withdrawals (RMDs) at age 73 use the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
- Social Security taxation: depending on your other income, 0%, 50%, or 85% of your benefit becomes taxable (IRS Publication 915 method).
- Investment income surtax (NIIT, 3.8%) applies once your modified income passes $200K single / $250K married filing jointly.
- Medicare premium surcharges (IRMAA) start at age 65 and kick in at higher income levels — modeled using 2026 CMS brackets.
- State income tax applied for CA, NY, FL, TX, NV, WY, TN, WA, CO, IL, MA (others default to 0%).
Frequently asked
What's the optimal withdrawal order for retirement accounts in the US?
The textbook 'conventional wisdom' is taxable → traditional → Roth. The tax-efficient approach fills the 12% bracket with traditional withdrawals first to avoid larger RMDs later, then uses taxable with 0% LTCG rates, and saves Roth for last. Savings vs the textbook order are typically $30,000-$100,000 over 30 years for a typical FI retiree.
Do I have to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?
Yes — Traditional IRA and 401(k) accounts require RMDs starting at age 73 (SECURE 2.0 Act). The amount is your balance divided by a life-expectancy divisor (26.5 at age 73, shrinking each year). Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime. Roth 401(k)s had RMDs before 2024 but no longer do.
How is Social Security taxed?
Up to 85% of your Social Security can be taxable, based on 'combined income' = AGI + tax-exempt interest + 50% of SS. Single: 0% taxable below $25K combined, up to 50% between $25K-$34K, up to 85% above $34K. Married filing jointly: thresholds are $32K and $44K.
What is IRMAA and how do I avoid it?
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) adds $83-$498/mo to Medicare Part B+D premiums once MAGI exceeds $106K single / $212K MFJ (2026). It's a cliff — crossing a bracket by $1 triggers the full surcharge. The calculator models this so you can see which withdrawal mix keeps you below each threshold.
Should I do Roth conversions in retirement?
Often yes — particularly in low-income years (before Social Security starts, before RMDs). Filling the 12% or 22% bracket with conversions can reduce your lifetime tax dramatically. For a focused tool just for this decision, see our Roth Conversion Planner — it shows three scenarios side-by-side (do nothing, fill 12%, fill 22%).
Quick glossary
Plain-language definitions for the acronyms used above. Tap any term to expand.
RMD (Required Minimum Distribution)
The minimum amount the IRS forces you to withdraw from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) each year starting at age 73. The amount is your balance divided by a life-expectancy number from an IRS table — about 1/26.5 of the balance at 73, rising each year. Roth IRAs have no RMDs.
NIIT (Net Investment Income Tax)
A 3.8% extra tax on investment income (capital gains, dividends, interest) for higher earners. Kicks in once your modified income passes $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.
IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount)
An income-based surcharge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums once you turn 65. Five income brackets, each adding $83 to $498 per month. It's a cliff — crossing a bracket by $1 triggers the full surcharge.
MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income)
Your adjusted gross income with certain deductions added back. Used to determine NIIT and IRMAA thresholds. For most retirees, MAGI ≈ ordinary income + capital gains + the taxable portion of Social Security.
MFJ (Married Filing Jointly)
A US filing status for married couples who file one joint tax return. Most thresholds (NIIT, IRMAA, tax brackets) are roughly double the single-filer numbers.
LTCG (Long-Term Capital Gains)
Profit from selling an investment you held more than a year. Taxed at favorable rates (0%, 15%, or 20%) instead of ordinary income rates — a big reason to use taxable accounts strategically.
Bracket-filling
The strategy of withdrawing just enough from a Traditional IRA each year to use up the cheap tax brackets (10%, 12%) without spilling into more expensive ones. Avoids larger forced withdrawals and higher rates later.
Compare with other countries
Related tools
Want this drawn against your real portfolio?
Sign in to plug in your actual balances, save plans across scenarios, and watch how a market crash or unexpected expense changes the optimal order.