Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about the Linopt Lifetime Optimizer tool.

The Linopt Lifetime Optimizer is a retirement optimization tool designed to help you maximize your net worth over your lifetime, minimize your retirement age or maximize your sustainable retirement spending. It uses advanced mathematical modeling to determine the best strategies for contributions to retirement accounts, Roth conversions, withdrawals, and investments, while accounting for taxes, inflation, Social Security benefits, and your personal expenses. Enter your financial details, and the tool will generate an optimized plan with visualizations of your account balances, income, withdrawals, expenses, cashflow, taxes, and more.

Yes, the Linopt Lifetime Optimizer is completely free to use. We also avoid annoying ads to keep the experience clean. We're funded entirely by happy users just like you!

If you find the tool helpful, please consider making a donation via the Donate page.

Navigate through the tabs (Basic, Income, Accounts, Misc., Goal) to input your personal and financial details. Once complete, click "Calculate Plan" to run the optimization. Results will appear in the Results tab with charts. Use the Next buttons to guide you through the inputs.

You'll need to enter details in several tabs:
  • Basic: Your age, retirement age, ending age, and spouse details if married.
  • Income: Yearly earnings, expenses, Social Security benefits, Pension (with COLA %) and start ages.
  • Accounts: Initial balances for savings, brokerage, Roth, and Traditional accounts; contribution limits; max Roth conversions.
  • Misc.: Inflation rate, interest/return rates, payroll tax parameters.
  • Goal: Choose between maximizing final net worth, minimizing retirement age, or maximizing sustainable retirement spending.
All monetary amounts are in thousands of dollars (e.g., enter 50 for $50,000).

Uncheck the "Married" box in the Basic tab. Spouse fields will disable, and the tool will use single-filing tax rules.

The Goal tab lets you choose the optimization objective:
  • "Maximize Final Net Worth." This option grows your wealth as much as possible by the final year.
  • "Minimize Retirement Age." This option finds the earliest possible retirement age while ensuring you never run out of money. NOTE: This option ignores the inputs you have made for "Retirement Age" for you (and your spouse, if married.)
  • "Maximize Sustainable Retirement Spending." This option maximizes your sustainable spending (expenses) after you (and your spouse's, if married) retirement age is reached while ensuring you never run out of money. NOTE: This option ignores the input you make for "Expenses" once you're in retirement.
Select your goal and click "Calculate Plan" to see the results.

The tool supports the following account types:
  • Savings Account: Earns taxable interest, used for flexible withdrawals and deposits.
  • Roth IRA/401(k): Offers tax-free growth and withdrawals (after age 59.5); contributions are made with after-tax dollars.
  • Traditional IRA/401(k): Provides tax-deferred growth; withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income; subject to RMDs starting at age 73.
  • Brokerage Account: Incurs taxable gains on withdrawals (long-term Capital Gains rate); tracks principal and gains for optimal Capital Gains tax calculations.
The tool optimizes movements between these accounts, including Roth conversions (taxed in the year of conversion).

During working years, the tool decides optimal amounts to contribute to Traditional (tax-deductible) or Roth (after-tax) accounts, up to your specified limits and earnings. It prefers Traditional for immediate tax savings if future withdrawals are in lower brackets, or Roth for tax-free growth.

The tool determines the best sources for withdrawals each year (savings, brokerage, Roth, Traditional) to cover expenses while minimizing taxes and maximizing growth. It enforces rules like no early withdrawals before 59.5 and required minimum distributions (RMDs) after 73, prioritizing tax-efficient strategies.

Roth conversions involve moving funds from Traditional to Roth accounts, paying taxes on the converted amount in that year. This allows tax-free growth and withdrawals later. The tool optimizes conversions to occur in lower-tax years, reducing overall tax burden and avoiding higher RMD taxes. Leave the field blank to allow unlimited Roth Conversions. Enter a yearly maximum (in thousands) to set a yearly limit. Enteirng 0 will disable Roth Conversions entirely.

Taxes are modeled based on 2025 U.S. federal brackets (single or married filing jointly). Ordinary income (e.g., Traditional withdrawals, Roth conversions, interest, 85% of Social Security) is taxed progressively. Payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) apply to earnings. Capital Gains in brokerage accounts use the long-term rate (default 15%). Standard deductions (with senior adjustments) and inflation adjustments are included.

Enter your expected annual Social Security benefits and start age (62-70). The tool includes them as income starting at that age, adjusted for inflation. Up to 85% is taxable based on other income. Payroll taxes on earnings are also modeled, capped at the Social Security wage base.

Inflation adjusts expenses, earnings, Social Security, tax brackets, deductions, and contribution limits yearly. This ensures the plan remains realistic over time, with withdrawals increasing to maintain purchasing power.

RMDs are mandatory withdrawals from Traditional accounts starting at age 73, based on IRS life expectancy tables. The tool enforces RMDs, taxing them as ordinary income, and optimizes around them by suggesting earlier conversions if beneficial.

After calculating, view tabs like Summary, Balances (account growth), Income & Tax Withdrawals & Conversions, Cashflow, and Custom (selectable metrics). Charts show year-by-year breakdowns.

In the "Custom Chart" tab, select multiple metrics (hold Ctrl/Cmd) from categories like income, withdrawals, taxes, gains, and balances. A custom chart will plot them over time for detailed analysis.

This tool assumes constant rates (inflation, returns) and doesn't model market volatility, state taxes, healthcare costs, or penalties for early withdrawals under 59.5 (except restricting them). It's based on 2025 federal tax rules and may not reflect future changes. No support for short-term capital gains, itemized deductions, or complex scenarios like inheritance. Lastly, it's not financial advice - consult a professional.

If you find the tool helpful, please consider making a donation via the Donate page. Your support helps keep the tool free, updated, and ad-free. For feature requests or feedback, use the Contact Form.