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401(k) Spend It or Save It Calculator

There are several ways to manage your 401(k) balance when you leave an employer. The most fundamental of which is should you spend it or save it? Depending on your age and tax bracket, making the wrong decision can cost you thousands of dollars both in taxes and lost earnings. This calculator helps illustrate the difference.
By changing any value in the following form fields, calculated values are immediately provided for displayed output values. Click the view report button to see all of your results.



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401(k) Spend It or Save It?
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**FIG_GRAPHTITLE** Column Graph: Please use the calculator's report to see detailed calculation results in tabular form.
**FIG_GRAPHTITLE** Column Graph: Please use the calculator's report to see detailed calculation results in tabular form.

Definitions

Current age

Your current age.

Age at retirement

Age you wish to retire. The tool calculates the ending balance at retirement for each of your rollover options.

Federal income tax rate

Consult the table below to determine your federal tax bracket. If you are unsure, the calculator will choose 25%. Please note that state taxes are entered in a separate entry field. Use the ‘Filing Status and Federal Income Tax Rates on Taxable Income’ table to assist you in estimating your federal tax rate.

Filing Status and Federal Income Tax Rates on Taxable Income for 2025*
Tax RateMarried Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er)SingleHead of HouseholdMarried Filing Separately
10%$0 - $23,850$0 - $11,925$0 - $17,000$0 - $11,925
12%$23,850 - $96,950$11,925 - $48,475$17,000 - $64,850$11,925 - $48,475
22%$96,950 - $206,700$48,475 - $103,350$64,850 - $103,350$48,475 - $103,350
24%$206,700 - $394,600$103,350 - $197,300$103,350 - $197,300$103,350 - $197,300
32%$394,600 - $501,050$197,300 - $250,525$197,300 - $250,500$197,300 - $250,525
35%$501,050 - $751,600$250,525 - $626,350$250,500 - $626,350$250,525 - $375,800
37%Over  $751,600Over  $626,350Over  $626,350Over  $375,800
*Caution: Do not use these tax rate schedules to figure 2024 taxes. Use only to figure 2025 estimates. Source: Rev. Proc. 2024-40

State income tax rate

The current state marginal tax rate you expect to pay on any additional income (or taxable distributions).

Current 401(k) balance

The starting balance or current amount you have invested or saved in your 401(k).

Annual rate of return

The annual rate of return for your 401(k) account. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) for the 10 years ending December 31st 2024, had an annual compounded rate of return of 14.9%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1, 1970 to December 31st 2024, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500®, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 11.2% (source: www.spglobal.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009). Savings accounts at a financial institution pay less but carry significantly lower risk of loss of principal balances.

It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return noted above does not reflect sales charges and other fees that investment funds and/or investment companies may charge.


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Information and interactive calculators are made available to you only as self-help tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment or tax advice. We cannot and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal finance issues.