Free calculator
Retirement Income Gap Calculator
Retirement math comes down to one question: does the money coming in cover the money going out? Stack your expected income against your expected expenses and see your monthly surplus — or the gap you'd need to close.
Your monthly income & expenses
Use monthly figures. Not sure of your Social Security number? Your ssa.gov statement has the estimate.
This calculator provides rough educational estimates only — it is not a quote, a recommendation, or financial advice. Actual premiums, penalties, and costs depend on your situation, carrier, and plan year. For a real comparison, call us at 208-350-9933.
How This Estimate Works
The math is deliberately simple: income in, expenses out, difference at the bottom. What makes it useful is the sorting. Social Security and pensions are guaranteed income — they arrive every month no matter what the market does. Savings withdrawals are hopeful income — sustainable in good years, nerve-wracking in bad ones. When your expenses outrun the guaranteed column, every market dip becomes a personal problem.
That's where a fixed annuity can fit: it converts a lump of savings into guaranteed payments — for a set number of years or for the rest of your life — issued by an insurance carrier and backed by that carrier's financial strength. It's not magic and it's not for everyone, but for closing a specific monthly gap with income you can't outlive, it's one of the few tools purpose-built for the job.
One honest note: we're insurance agents, not investment advisors. We can explain, quote, and compare guaranteed-income products; how to invest the rest of your portfolio is a conversation for a licensed advisor. For related planning, our long-term care insurance guide covers the expense that blindsides the most retirements, and the long-term care cost calculator puts Idaho numbers on it. Protecting the plan itself? Start with the life insurance needs calculator. Or talk it through with a person: 208-350-9933.
Questions we hear a lot
Retirement Income FAQ
What is a retirement income gap?
It's the difference between what you expect to spend each month in retirement and the income you can actually count on — Social Security, pensions, and the savings withdrawals you're comfortable taking. If expenses run higher than income, that shortfall is your gap, and it's better discovered on paper than in year three of retirement.
How can a fixed annuity help close an income gap?
A fixed annuity converts a portion of your savings into guaranteed payments — for a set period or for life — from an insurance carrier. That turns "money I hope lasts" into "income that shows up every month," which is exactly the shape of a gap. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength of the issuing carrier, and whether one fits depends on your full picture.
Should I count savings withdrawals as income?
Count only what you're genuinely comfortable withdrawing year after year — markets wobble, and withdrawals that felt fine in a good year can sting in a bad one. Many people aim to cover essential expenses with guaranteed sources (Social Security, pension, annuity income) and let savings fund the extras. This calculator lets you test that split.
What expenses should I include?
Housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance premiums (including Medicare costs), out-of-pocket healthcare, and the fun stuff — travel, hobbies, grandkids. Healthcare is the number people most often underestimate, and it tends to grow faster than everything else. When in doubt, round your expense estimate up, not down.
Is this calculator financial advice?
No. It's a simple educational estimate — income minus expenses. We're licensed insurance agents, not investment advisors: we can explain and quote guaranteed-income products like fixed annuities, but investment strategy and tax questions belong with a licensed financial or tax professional.
Found a Gap You'd Rather Not Have?
Let's look at it together. CarrieAnne can show you what guaranteed lifetime income would cost to set up from your savings — real numbers from real carriers, no pressure, no obligation.
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