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.






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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 2008
Tax rate Married filing jointly
or Qualified Widow(er)
Single Head of household Married filing separately
10% $0 - 16,050 $0 - 8,025 $0 - $11,450 $0 - 8,025
15% $16,051- 65,100 $8,026- 32,550 $11,451- 43,650 $8,026- 32,550
25% $65,101- 131,450 $32,551- 78,850 $43,651- 112,650 $32,551- 65,725
28% $131,451- 200,300 $78,851- 164,550 $112,651- 182,400 $65,726- 100,150
33% $200,301- 357,700 $164,551- 357,700 $182,401- 357,700 $100,151- 178,850
35% over $357,700 over $357,700 over $357,700 over $178,850
Source: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-07-66.pdf
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. From January 1970 to December 2007, the average compounded rate of return for the S&P 500, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 11.4% per year (source: www.standardandpoors.com). During this period, the highest 12-month return was 61%, and the lowest was -39%. Savings accounts at a bank may pay as little as 1% or less.

It is important to remember 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.



A Word About Financial Calculators

When using these calculators, keep in mind that all calculations and projections are based on the assumptions you provide, and that the results are examples of what might happen—not necessarily what will happen.

None of the information obtained from your calculations should be construed or taken as investment advice, and any references to tax rates, rates of growth, or other assumptions are subject to change or alteration..

Should you have any questions regarding the use of these calculators, please feel free to contact your account’s Trust Officer for assistance.



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