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.

Definitions

Current age Your current age. Age of retirement Age you wish to retire. We calculate 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. Filing Status and Income Tax Rates 2011 Caution: Do not use these tax rate schedules to figure 2010 taxes. Use only to figure 2011 estimates. Tax rate Married filing jointly or qualified widow(er) Single Head of household Married filing separately 10% $0 - 17,000 $0 - 8,500 $0 - $12,150 $0 - 8,500 15% $17,000 - 69,000 $8,500 - 34,500 $12,150 - 46,250 $8,500 - 34,500 25% $69,000 - 139,350 $34,500 - 83,600 $46,250 - 119,400 $34,500 - 69,675 28% $139,350 - 212,300 $83,600 - 174,400 $119,400 - 193,350 $69,675 - 106,150 33% $212,300 - 379,150 $174,400 - 379,150 $193,350 - 379,150 $106,150 - 189,575 35% over $379,150 over $379,150 over $379,150 over $189,575 Source: http://www.irs.gov 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 type of investments you select. For example, from December 2000 to December 2010, the annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500 was 0.899%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1970 to December 2010, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 10.05% (source: www.standardandpoors.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 bank may pay as little as 1% or 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 funds and/or investment companies may charge.