Retirelens - Holistic Retirement Planning

Planning for retirement requires understanding how today's financial decisions will impact your future security. At Retirelens, a robust suite of free retirement calculators is available to help you visualize every step of your financial journey. Whether you are just beginning to save or are actively preparing to transition into retirement, these tools provide valuable insights into your long-term strategies.

The platform offers a variety of interactive educational calculators covering essential personal finance topics. For those focusing on building wealth, the Goal Planner and SIP Growth Calculator make it easy to project future corpus values based on disciplined monthly investments. If you are managing debt or exploring home equity, tools for loan payment amortization and reverse mortgage proceeds are incredibly helpful for mapping out interest and balance trajectories.

As you approach retirement age, drawing down your assets strategically is crucial. Retirelens provides calculators to estimate comprehensive retirement income, test safe withdrawal rates, and determine exactly how long your savings will last. Additionally, specialized tools are available to help you navigate complex tax and strategy decisions. You can easily compare Traditional vs. Roth IRAs, project your 401(k) growth, evaluate the benefits of Roth conversions, optimize your Social Security claiming age, and calculate your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

By allowing you to adjust assumptions and compare different scenarios in real time, these calculators empower you to build a holistic plan for your entire life, not just your investment portfolio.

When most people think about retirement, they immediately focus on their financial portfolio. However, a truly fulfilling and secure retirement requires a much broader perspective. RetireLens is designed to be your holistic retirement readiness platform, helping you plan for your entire life, not just your money.

RetireLens simplifies the complex journey of retirement planning by breaking it down into five core pillars: Financial Readiness, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle & Purpose, Social Connections, and Legacy Planning. Whether you need to figure out your high-level financial numbers, secure solid healthcare coverage, or shape daily routines you genuinely look forward to living, the platform provides actionable, bite-sized steps to get you there without feeling overwhelmed.

Instead of trying to solve everything in one weekend, RetireLens encourages you to pick the area that is currently keeping you up at night and make one small move. From building a diverse support circle to starting a "just-in-case" folder for your loved ones, you are guided through every phase of aging and preparation. Importantly, the platform prioritizes your privacy with bank-level encryption, ensuring you control your access and your data is never sold or shared.

With helpful tools, calculators, and a free Starter Kit to get you moving, preparing for the future has never been easier. Start taking control of your next chapter today and design a retirement you actually want to live.

Most people think of financial stress as an emotional issue. The reality is that it is a physical one. When you are constantly worried about money, your body remains in a prolonged state of fight-or-flight.

In 2025, 76% of Americans reported experiencing financial stress. Here is what that stress is actually doing to your body, and the exact steps you can take to stop it:

The Cortisol Problem: Ongoing financial anxiety floods your system with cortisol. Prolonged cortisol elevation raises blood sugar, triggers inflammation, and suppresses your immune system. It even dampens your prefrontal cortex, which makes rational decision-making much harder.

The Sleep Cost: Roughly 65% of Americans struggle with stress-related insomnia. Chronic sleep loss increases blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk to levels comparable to smoking.

The Fix: Face the Numbers: Avoidance fuels anxiety. The single most effective way to lower your cortisol levels is to make a concrete plan. Set a timer for 30 minutes, look at your actual bank balances and debts, and write down exactly where you stand. The reality is almost always more manageable than the catastrophic scenarios in your head.

The Fix: Build a Small Buffer: You do not need a six-month emergency fund to feel secure. Having just $1,000 to $2,000 in a liquid savings account provides a massive psychological buffer against daily anxiety.

The Fix: Automate and Step Back: Set up automatic savings and bill payments. Then, limit how often you check your investment accounts. Daily checking increases stress without changing the outcome.

Financial stress in retirement planning does not just threaten your portfolio; it threatens your health. Read the full guide to understand the physical toll of money anxiety and how to build a concrete recovery plan:

Having a large number in your retirement account does not automatically mean you are ready to stop working. The real challenge is converting that lump sum into a reliable, monthly paycheck that will not run out.

Consider Jane, a 58-year-old with $487,000 saved and $50,400 in annual expenses. Her Social Security at age 62 would only cover 62% of her spending, leaving a massive gap. Here is the exact, step-by-step strategy she used to close it:

The Part-Time Bridge: Instead of fully retiring at 62, Jane left her demanding full-time job and consulted part-time for 10-15 hours a week. This covered her income gap without forcing her to drain her portfolio early.

Delaying Social Security: Because the consulting work covered her bills, she delayed claiming Social Security until age 67. This permanently increased her guaranteed annual benefit by 43% (from $21,840 to $31,200).

The "Bucket Strategy": She divided her portfolio into three time horizons. Bucket 1 held two years of living expenses in cash. Bucket 2 held bonds and dividend stocks for the mid-term. Bucket 3 held growth stocks for the long term. When the market dipped, she lived off Bucket 1 and never had to sell her stocks at a loss.

The result? By age 67, she was fully retired, her income easily covered her expenses, and her portfolio had actually grown to $521,000 despite her withdrawals.

If a major illness or injury stops you from working, how do you pay the bills? Most people assume Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are basically the same thing. They are not, and confusing the two can wreck your financial plan.

Here is the direct breakdown for 2026:

The Payout Difference: Private LTD insurance (usually through an employer) replaces 60% to 70% of your pre-disability income. SSDI is a federal program that pays an average of just $1,630 a month.

The Waiting Game: LTD usually kicks in after a 90-day waiting period. SSDI can take months or even over a year to get approved, and roughly two-thirds of initial applications are rejected.

The "Offset" Trap: You can receive both at the same time, but many LTD policies have an "offset clause." This means if SSDI pays you $1,500, your private LTD policy will just subtract that $1,500 from their payout to you.

The Definition of "Disabled": LTD usually defines disabled as "unable to do your specific job." SSDI is much stricter: you must be unable to do any substantial work anywhere.

The Bottom Line: Never rely solely on SSDI. If your employer offers LTD, take it. If you are self-employed, strongly consider an individual policy while you are still healthy.

Learn exactly how these policies interact, how they bridge the gap to early retirement, and what steps you need to take to protect your income:

Most people spend more time planning a two-week vacation than they do budgeting for a thirty-year retirement. But getting your numbers right is critical for peace of mind.

In 2026, retirees aged 65 and older spend an average of about $60,000 annually. Here is how that breaks down and how to budget for it:

The 80% Rule: A common starting point is assuming you will need 80% of your pre-retirement income. You no longer have commuting costs or payroll taxes, but your travel and healthcare costs will likely increase.

Housing (35% of spending): This is the largest expense. If you can pay off your mortgage before retiring or downsize to a lower-cost area, you will free up massive amounts of cash flow.

Healthcare ($315,000 total): Medicare does not cover everything. You need to explicitly budget for Part B premiums, deductibles, dental, vision, and out-of-pocket prescription costs.

Long-Term Care: 70% of people over 65 will need some form of long-term care. This should be a dedicated line item in your plan, not an afterthought.

The Best Strategy: Do not rely on generic averages. Track your current spending, adjust for what will disappear (like saving for retirement) and what will increase (like hobbies and travel). Always build a 10% to 15% buffer into your budget for the unexpected.

To see exactly how inflation, sequence-of-returns risk, and healthcare factor into your specific timeline, read the complete guide here:

Wondering if your retirement savings are keeping up with your peers? Do not look at the "average" 401(k) balance—a few wealthy outliers pull that number artificially high.

To see where most Americans actually stand in 2026, you need to look at the median balances:

20s: $34,000

30s: $74,000

40s: $154,000

50s: $253,000

60s: $211,000

A standard guideline is to have 3x your salary saved by age 40, and 6x by age 50. If your numbers are lower than the median, the fastest way to catch up is to increase your contribution rate just enough to capture your full employer match.

See exactly how to close the gap and adjust your strategy here:

If you work in the public sector or for a non-profit, you likely have a 403(b) instead of a 401(k) for your retirement savings. While they function very similarly—both offer tax-deferred growth and pre-tax payroll deductions—there are a few critical differences every public servant should understand:

Who is Eligible: 401(k)s are strictly for private, for-profit companies. 403(b)s are designed for public schools, hospitals, churches, and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profits.

Contribution Limits: Good news—the limits are exactly the same. Both plans allow up to $24,500 in employee deferrals in 2026, plus an $8,000 catch-up contribution if you are 50 or older.

The 15-Year Rule: 403(b)s have a unique loyalty perk. If you have worked for the same organization for 15+ years, you may be eligible to contribute an extra $3,000 annually (up to a $15,000 lifetime limit), regardless of your age.

Employer Matching: While both plans allow for employer matches, they are far more common in 401(k) plans. If a 403(b) offers a match, it usually triggers strict ERISA regulations, which many non-profits try to avoid to keep administrative costs low.

Investment Options: 401(k)s typically offer a wide range of mutual funds, stocks, and bonds. Historically, 403(b)s leaned heavily toward annuities, though many modern plans now offer solid mutual fund choices as well. Beware of fees: 403(b)s utilizing annuities can sometimes carry higher administrative and management fees than a standard 401(k).

While you rarely get to choose which plan you are offered (it depends entirely on your employer), understanding your plan's specific rules, fees, and matching structure is crucial to building a secure retirement.

Find out exactly how to maximize your public servant retirement plan and check your fee structures here: https://retirelens.com/blogs/403b-vs-401k-understanding-the-differences-for-public-servants

Pensions used to guarantee retirement income for life, but today, only 14% of private-sector workers still have one.

The Basics: A pension is a guaranteed monthly payout from your employer for life. Your employer takes 100% of the investment risk.

Who still gets them: Mostly government employees (78%) and union workers (67%).

The 401(k) Shift: Most private employers replaced pensions with 401(k)s, shifting the burden of saving and investing entirely onto you.

Check if you have an old pension waiting for you and learn how to replace that income if you don't:

The Ramsey investment philosophy is famous for a simple rule: invest 15% of your gross income into mutual funds and assume a 12% annual return. While the discipline of saving 15% is excellent, the math behind the returns is highly optimistic.

Here is what the method gets right—and where it falls short:

The Pros:

Clear Targets: Telling people to save exactly 15% is actionable and specific.

Forced Discipline: It removes emotion from investing and encourages a long-term "buy-and-hold" strategy, preventing panic selling during market dips.

Diversification: It advocates spreading your money across growth, income, aggressive, and international funds.

The Cons:

The 12% Myth: A 12% arithmetic average return does not account for market volatility. If you factor in down years, taxes, and mutual fund fees (which can be 0.5% to 1% annually), your actual compound return is usually closer to 7% or 8%.

Lack of Flexibility: The strategy does not adjust as you get closer to retirement. A pure aggressive stock portfolio is dangerous for someone five years away from needing the money.

Ignores Low-Cost Options: Actively managed mutual funds usually fail to beat the market. Low-cost index funds are often a much better choice mathematically.

To see exactly how fees, taxes, and realistic market volatility impact your retirement timeline, read the full breakdown here:

Deciding when to take Social Security is a massive financial choice. Here is the quick math on how to maximize your lifetime benefits:

Claiming at 62: You get income immediately, but your monthly checks are permanently reduced by up to 30%.

Delaying to 70: Your monthly payout increases by roughly 76%.

The Break-Even Point: Mathematically, delaying your claim officially pays off if you live past age 80 or 81.

The Best Strategy:

There is no universal correct answer. Your optimal claiming age depends heavily on your health status, spousal survivor benefits, and whether you need the cash flow right now. Do not guess—run your exact numbers first.

Use this comprehensive break-even calculator to map out your timeline and find your perfect claiming age:

Choosing between an IRA and a 401(k) doesn't have to be complicated. Here is the direct breakdown for 2026:

401(k) Advantage: Massive contribution limits ($24,500) and employer matching. Always contribute enough to get your full employer match—it is free money.

IRA Advantage: Lower contribution limits ($7,500), but offers far more investment options and flexibility.

The Best Strategy:

Contribute to your 401(k) until you get the maximum employer match.

Max out a Roth IRA for tax-free growth and better fund choices.

Put any remaining savings back into your 401(k).

Read the full guide to see exactly which account fits your income, tax bracket, and timeline:

The financial world loved the “4% rule” for decades. It was the easy button for retirement: withdraw 4% in year one, adjust for inflation, and you’ll likely never run out of money.

But it’s 2026. Markets are expensive, inflation is sticky, and the old rules are shifting. If you're looking at your portfolio and wondering what is actually safe to withdraw today, here is the new reality check:

📉 The New Conservative Baseline is 3.9%: If you want a 30-year “set-it-and-forget-it” strategy that survives terrible market sequences, 3.9% is the new sleep-at-night number.

📈 Flexibility = Higher Yields (5.0% - 6.0%): You aren't a robot. If you are willing to cut discretionary spending (like travel or dining out) by 10-20% during market downturns, you can safely boost your starting withdrawal rate up to 6%.

🛑 Watch the Invisible Drains: A 1.5% advisor fee doesn't just skim your profits; it slashes your actual spending power. That 3.9% safe rate drops to a devastating 2.4% once fees are factored in.

🗓️ Time Horizons Matter: Not everyone needs a 30-year plan! If you retire later and only need your money to last 20 years, your safe rate jumps to 5.3%.

Planning your withdrawal strategy is about balancing lifestyle, legacy, and market realities. There is no longer a one-size-fits-all "easy button"—you have to pick the strategy that fits your actual life.

Want to run your own numbers and see which strategy fits you? Check out the full breakdown and the Savings Withdrawal Calculator over at Retirelens:

If your extra cash or emergency fund is sitting in a traditional savings account, it is barely growing.

Right now, top-tier Money Market Accounts (MMAs) are paying around 4.00% to 4.21% APY. That means you can earn substantially more interest while keeping your funds completely safe, liquid, and FDIC-insured.

Whether you are saving for a down payment or just building a cash safety net, seeing the actual numbers helps you plan better.

Want to see exactly how much your cash could grow over the next few years? Use the Retirelens Money Market Calculator to project your earnings based on your initial deposit, monthly contributions, and compounding interest.

👉 Calculate your money market growth here