Planning tool · about 7 minutes · 4 steps
Retirement Paycheck Builder
Design the monthly paycheck your retirement will run on: the transfer amount, the cash buffer, and which accounts to draw first.
What you'll walk away with
- A monthly transfer amount that bridges your spending gap
- A sized cash-buffer target with a refill rule
- A tax-aware account-order starting point and an annual review checklist
Your answers stay in this browser and are never uploaded. You can leave and pick up where you stopped.
Step 1 of 4: What a month costs0%
What a month costs
Split spending into needs and wants — the split decides which dollars must be dependable.
Housing, food, insurance, utilities, transportation, minimums.
Travel, hobbies, gifts, dining — the good stuff.
Keep going
- Income GapCompare your expected retirement expenses with your guaranteed income and see how much your savings need to cover.Calculator
- How Long Will Savings Last?See how long your savings could last at a given monthly withdrawal, with inflation and returns included.Calculator
- RMD CalculatorEstimate this year's required minimum distribution and see projected RMDs for the years ahead.Calculator
- The Retirement Income ChecklistTurn a pile of accounts into a monthly paycheck — one step at a time.Guide
- Preparing for Your First Year of RetirementThe twelve-month runway: money moves, paperwork, and the parts nobody mentions.Guide
- What the 4% Rule Actually Says — and What It Never Promised6 min readArticle
Want a professional's take? Downshift can introduce you to a financial advisor, CPA, or retirement planner who can talk through what these numbers mean for you — free to you, no obligation.
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