Retirement Tax Calculator
Estimate the federal income tax owed on your retirement income from 401(k) withdrawals, pensions, Social Security, and other sources. Helpful when projecting after-tax retirement cash flow.
Last updated: September 2026
Formula below · 2 sources (IRS, ssa.gov) · Updated Sep 2026
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About this calculator
This estimates 2026 federal income tax on retirement income. Step 1, taxable Social Security (IRS Publication 915): provisional income = other income + 50% of benefits. Below $25,000 single / $32,000 joint none is taxable; between that and $34,000 / $44,000 up to 50% is taxable; above it, taxable benefits = 85% of the excess over $34,000 / $44,000 plus the smaller of 50% of benefits or $4,500 / $6,000, capped at 85% of benefits. Married filing separately (living together) has thresholds of zero. Step 2, AGI = traditional withdrawals + pension + other income + taxable Social Security. Step 3, deductions: the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single or separate, $32,200 joint), plus $2,050 (single) or $1,650 (each married filer) for each filer 65 or older, plus the 2025–2028 senior deduction of $6,000 per filer 65+, reduced by 6% of AGI above $75,000 ($150,000 joint) and not available to married filing separately. Step 4, the 2026 tax brackets for your filing status apply to the rest. Not modeled: the 0/15/20% rates on qualified dividends and long-term gains (treat that income carefully), tax-exempt interest (which counts in provisional income), itemized deductions, credits and state tax. Roth withdrawals are tax-free and should not be entered.
How to use
Assume a single filer aged 67 with $30,000 in traditional IRA withdrawals, $15,000 Social Security, a $5,000 pension and no other income. Provisional income = $30,000 + $5,000 + 50% × $15,000 = $42,500. Taxable Social Security = 85% × ($42,500 − $34,000) + min(50% × $15,000, $4,500) = $7,225 + $4,500 = $11,725 (below the cap of 85% × $15,000 = $12,750). AGI = $35,000 + $11,725 = $46,725. Deductions = $16,100 + $2,050 + $6,000 = $24,150. Taxable income = $22,575. Tax = 10% × $12,400 + 12% × $10,175 = $1,240 + $1,221 = $2,461 for the year.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my Social Security benefits are taxable in retirement?
The taxable portion of Social Security depends on your combined income, which the IRS defines as your adjusted gross income plus non-taxable interest plus 50% of your Social Security benefits. If this figure is below $25,000 (single) or $32,000 (married filing jointly), none of your benefits are taxable. Between $25,000–$34,000 (single) or $32,000–$44,000 (joint), up to 50% is taxable. Above those thresholds, up to 85% of your benefits may be subject to federal income tax. Strategic Roth conversions before retirement can reduce this exposure significantly.
Are 401(k) withdrawals taxed as ordinary income in retirement?
Yes, withdrawals from traditional 401(k) and traditional IRA accounts are taxed as ordinary income in the year you take them, because contributions were made pre-tax. This means large withdrawals can push you into higher tax brackets. Qualified withdrawals from Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA accounts, however, are completely tax-free in retirement since contributions were made after-tax. Balancing withdrawals across traditional and Roth accounts is a key strategy to manage your effective tax rate in retirement.
What strategies can I use to reduce taxes on retirement income?
Several strategies can lower your retirement tax bill. Roth conversions in low-income years before age 73 (when Required Minimum Distributions begin) can shift money from taxable traditional accounts to tax-free Roth accounts. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow those 70½+ to donate up to $105,000 directly from an IRA to charity, satisfying RMD requirements without the amount counting as taxable income. Managing the sequence of account withdrawals — Roth last, taxable first — can also extend portfolio life and minimize lifetime taxes. Consulting a CPA or CFP is advisable for personalized planning.