Match the method to the task
| Method | Useful for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Your own spreadsheet | Custom annual cash-flow rows and assumptions you control. | Formula accuracy, taxes, inflation and access rules depend on what you implement. Storage depends on your spreadsheet service. |
| Personal SSA estimate | Benefits based on your recorded earnings and claiming options. | It is not a household retirement spending or investment simulation. Check earnings and future-work assumptions. |
| Rest of the Road | A free bridge worksheet, local annual cash-flow scenarios and market stress exploration. | One household Social Security stream; healthcare changes at the primary person's age 65. No ACA assistance or account-eligibility calculation. Browser-local plans need backups. |
Other planners to evaluate
Boldin offers retirement planning with an account and free and paid options. Its assumptions documentation explains how plan levels affect calculations. Compare the specific features you need and read its current privacy policy before entering data.
ProjectionLab offers financial planning and scenario exploration. Review its current plans, calculation assumptions and storage options directly before choosing it.
These are examples to evaluate, not rankings, endorsements or claims that every feature is equivalent. Product descriptions were checked October 14, 2026; consult the linked providers for current terms.
Bring the same assumptions to each comparison
- Use the same household ages, work-stop dates and dollar-year basis.
- Keep gross and net income treatment consistent. Count healthcare and taxes once.
- Match benefit timing, account balances, planning horizon and return assumptions.
- Read how each tool defines success and failure before comparing percentages.
Start with the transparent bridge example, then read how our simulation works.