You know the general rule: spend taxable accounts first, tax-deferred accounts second, Roth last. But “this year” is where the rule gets specific. This withdrawal order calculator looks at your other income for the year and tells you how much room you have in your current tax bracket, so you know whether a Traditional withdrawal still makes sense or whether it’s time to pull from taxable or Roth money instead.
Withdrawal Order Calculator: Which Account to Pull From This Year
Your Withdrawal Order Result
Filing status
Other taxable income this year (Social Security, pension, interest, etc.)
Amount you need to withdraw this year
How This Withdrawal Order Calculator Works
The calculator finds the top of your current federal tax bracket based on the income you already expect this year, outside of the withdrawal itself. That's the "room" you have left before your next dollar gets taxed at a higher rate. If your planned withdrawal fits inside that room, pulling it from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) usually makes sense, since you're not paying any more tax on it than you would this year anyway.
If the withdrawal would spill into a higher bracket, splitting it makes more sense. Fill up the room in your current bracket with Traditional money, then cover the rest from a source that doesn't add to your taxable income, like a Roth withdrawal or the principal in a taxable brokerage account.
What This Calculator Doesn't Account For
This tool uses federal tax brackets only. State income tax isn't included, and it can change the math significantly depending on where you live. It also doesn't account for how withdrawals affect taxation of your Social Security benefits, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, or capital-gains rates on a taxable account, all of which can shift the right answer for your specific situation.
Think of this as a starting point for the conversation, not a final answer. A tax professional or fee-based advisor can run your complete picture and catch anything this simple version misses.
Next Steps
If you're weighing a bigger move than a single year's withdrawal, our Roth conversion calculator compares the tax cost of converting now against paying tax later. And if you're getting close to age 73, check our RMD calculator to see what the IRS will eventually require you to withdraw whether you want to or not. For the full explanation behind the standard withdrawal order, see our guide to tax-efficient withdrawal order in retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this withdrawal order calculator account for state taxes?
No, it only uses federal tax brackets. State income tax can change the right answer, especially in states with high rates on retirement income.
Should I always fill up my current tax bracket with Traditional withdrawals?
Usually, yes, since it's the same rate you'd pay this year regardless. The exception is if you expect to be in a lower bracket in a future year and can afford to wait.
What if I have multiple types of retirement accounts?
Run the numbers for your total withdrawal need, then decide which specific accounts to draw the taxable and non-taxable portions from based on this result.