Online retirement account planners?

[Phatphoeater]

I've been using the Fidelity retirement account planner for the past year or so. It seems pretty comprehensive and flexible. In general, what has people's experience been with these tools? Are they helpful or is it just another marketing tool to get us to throw more money at these investment firms?

[jIM_Ohio]

What are you trying to calculate? Accumulation or retirement spending/withdraw? I have yet to find a calculator which does both well.

See my blog for what calculator I prefer.

[Phatphoeater]

You punch in your current income and planned age of retirement, anticipated monthly retirement expenses, current assets and annual contributions. It spits out a fancy graph and corresponding chart with annual sources of income and % withdrawal from accounts. It calculates approximate asset value at the beginning of retirement and when a shortfall may occur or remaining assets at anticipated *end* of retirement (ie, death).

here is a link.

personal.fidelity.com/planning/retirement/income_planner.shtml.cvsr?refpr=ret4

[jIM_Ohio]

You punch in your current income and planned age of retirement, anticipated monthly retirement expenses, current assets and annual contributions. It spits out a fancy graph and corresponding chart with annual sources of income and % withdrawal from accounts. It calculates approximate asset value at the beginning of retirement and when a shortfall may occur or remaining assets at anticipated *end* of retirement (ie, death).

here is a link.

personal.fidelity.com/planning/retirement/income_planner.shtml.cvsr?refpr=ret4

That is a withdraw calculator... doesn't sound like it does much accumulation variables.

Here is my blog link
Using a retirement calculator: jIM_Ohio is Investing to retire early

and if you need a second calculator for withdraw, look up firecalc

[tripods68]

We have an existing fidelity accounts. The great thing about their retirement calculators, it allows you link all other nonfidelity accounts (brokerage account and banking) for a comprehensive looks of your expected retirements (monte carlo based). I'd been using their stuff for years.