Run side-by-side projections for your current 401k balance. Include fees, transfer costs, and tax scenarios. Download reports instantly and plan your next step wisely.
Use this sample to see how inputs flow into results.
| Item | Example Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Current balance | $75,000 | Old plan account value today |
| Current age | 35 | Projection begins now |
| Retirement age | 65 | 30-year horizon |
| Old return / expense | 7.00% / 0.80% | Gross return and annual costs |
| New return / expense | 7.00% / 0.30% | Lower fees can improve compounding |
| Rollover cost | $75 | One-time fee reduces starting principal |
| Taxes (now / retirement) | 24% / 22% | Used for Roth conversion or withdrawals |
| Output | After-tax at retirement | Compare baseline versus rollover scenario |
Where r is expected gross return, e is expense ratio, Tnow is current tax rate, Tret is retirement tax rate, p is penalty, and i is inflation.
This calculator starts with today's balance, ages, and two return-and-fee assumptions. A $75,000 balance at age 35 with retirement at 65 implies 30 compounding years. If both portfolios earn 7.00% gross, the cost structure becomes the dominant differentiator. One-time rollover costs reduce the investable principal immediately, so even small fees matter.
Annual expenses are modeled as a percentage of the end-of-year balance. A shift from 0.80% to 0.30% is a 0.50% spread each year. Over long horizons, that spread compounds on top of itself: fees reduce the base that earns future returns. The schedule table shows yearly fee dollars and cumulative totals so you can quantify the drag.
A direct rollover keeps the account pre-tax, so the retirement tax rate applies to withdrawals. A Roth conversion assumes taxes are paid upfront at the current marginal rate, reducing the starting principal but potentially delivering tax-free qualified withdrawals later. When current and retirement tax rates differ, the calculator reveals the implicit "tax rate trade."
Cash-outs are often the most expensive path. If you are under 59½, the model applies an early withdrawal penalty on top of current taxes. The remaining proceeds are assumed to grow in a taxable account, where "tax drag" reduces the effective annual return. Entering a 1.00% drag models recurring dividend and capital-gain friction.
Break-even is the first year when the rollover scenario's after-tax value reaches or exceeds the baseline under the same retirement tax rate assumption. A break-even year that never arrives suggests the upfront tax or penalty cost dominates. A short break-even indicates lower ongoing fees or better returns can repay the initial hit.
Use the Plotly chart to visualize the after-tax paths, then export CSV for spreadsheets or PDF for documentation. The summary table lists all assumptions, including inflation for "real" comparisons. Treat outputs as planning estimates and validate rules with your benefits administrator and a tax professional in your records for future reference in practice.
A direct rollover moves pre-tax assets to another qualified account without current taxation. This calculator models taxes only at retirement, using your estimated retirement tax rate for withdrawals.
Fees reduce the balance that compounds. A small annual difference, like 0.50%, compounds for decades, lowering both the final balance and the after-tax value shown in the projection table and chart.
The model assumes you pay current-year taxes on the converted amount at your current marginal rate. The remaining balance compounds in a Roth-style account and is treated as tax-free at retirement.
No. It is a projection tool for a single existing balance. It does not model future contributions, RMD timing, changing tax brackets, or plan-specific rollover restrictions.
Tax drag approximates the annual return reduction from taxable dividends and realized gains. If your investments are tax-efficient, use a lower drag; if turnover and distributions are higher, use a higher drag.
Break-even is the first year the rollover after-tax value meets or exceeds the baseline under the same retirement tax rate assumption. It is not a guarantee; it is a sensitivity indicator based on your inputs.
Compare rollover choices with fees and taxes. Project future value for two retirement accounts. See after-tax outcomes before making confident benefit decisions today.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.