US Retirement Calculators 2026
Plan a secure retirement with free tools for 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, Social Security and Required Minimum Distributions. Updated with 2026 IRS contribution limits and SECURE 2.0 rules.
All Retirement Calculators
- 401(k) CalculatorMost Popular
Model employer match, Roth vs Traditional, salary growth and inflation-adjusted projections.
- Retirement Calculator
Project total retirement savings from all accounts and compare to spending goals.
- Roth IRA Calculator
Compare Roth IRA tax-free growth against Traditional IRA based on current vs future tax rates.
- IRA Calculator
Project Traditional IRA growth, tax deductions and Required Minimum Distributions.
- Social Security Calculator
Estimate your Social Security retirement benefit at different claiming ages.
- RMD Calculator
Calculate Required Minimum Distributions from tax-deferred accounts starting at age 73.
Retirement Planning in the US: 2026 Guide
Retirement planning in the US centres around tax-advantaged accounts: 401(k) through your employer, and Traditional or Roth IRAs that you open independently. Each has distinct tax treatment, contribution limits and withdrawal rules.
401(k) key facts for 2026: Employee deferral limit of $23,500. Catch-up contributions of $7,500 for ages 50–59 and 64+. Enhanced super catch-up of $11,250 for ages 60–63 (SECURE 2.0). Employer match contributions are essentially free money — always capture the full match first.
IRA key facts for 2026: Annual contribution limit of $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+). Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible depending on income and whether you have a workplace plan. Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
The 4% Rule: A popular retirement income guideline suggesting you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjust for inflation each subsequent year, with a high probability of not outliving your money over a 30-year retirement. Use our retirement calculator to model your specific scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions to help you use this calculator confidently.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k) in 2026?
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How much should I contribute to my 401(k) in 2026?
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At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match — that's an immediate 50–100% return. For 2026, the employee deferral limit is $23,500 ($31,000 if age 50–59 or 64+; $34,750 for ages 60–63 under SECURE 2.0 super catch-up). Aim to gradually increase contributions to 15% of gross income including the employer match.
Should I choose a Roth or Traditional 401(k) or IRA?
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Should I choose a Roth or Traditional 401(k) or IRA?
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If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than today, choose Roth (pay tax now at a lower rate). If you expect to be in a lower bracket in retirement, choose Traditional (defer tax until later). Most financial planners recommend tax diversification — contribute to both types over your career.
At what age do RMDs start in 2026?
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At what age do RMDs start in 2026?
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Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, Required Minimum Distributions must begin at age 73 for Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s and most other tax-deferred accounts. The RMD amount is calculated by dividing your prior year-end balance by the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table factor for your age.
What is the best age to claim Social Security benefits?
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What is the best age to claim Social Security benefits?
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Delaying Social Security beyond your full retirement age (FRA) increases your benefit by 8% per year up to age 70. Claiming at 62 permanently reduces benefits by 25–30%. The break-even point for delaying is typically around age 78–82. Health, spouse benefits and other income sources should factor into this decision.
How much do I need to retire comfortably in the US?
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How much do I need to retire comfortably in the US?
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A common guideline is 25× your expected annual retirement spending (the 4% rule). For $60,000/year in expenses, that's $1.5 million. However, actual needs depend on Social Security income, healthcare costs, location, lifestyle and longevity. Use our retirement calculator to model your specific situation.
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