Online tools designed to compare pre-tax and post-tax retirement savings plans assist individuals in projecting potential retirement income based on various factors. These factors typically include current salary, contribution amounts, expected rate of return, and planned retirement age. An example would be entering a current annual salary, desired contribution percentage, and estimated investment growth rate to receive an estimate of potential retirement savings under both pre-tax and post-tax contribution scenarios.
Utilizing these resources offers significant advantages in retirement planning. They empower informed decision-making by providing a clear comparison of tax implications now versus later. This enables proactive planning and facilitates the selection of the most advantageous retirement savings strategy based on individual circumstances and long-term financial goals. The development of these tools arose alongside increasing complexity in retirement savings options, reflecting the demand for accessible resources to navigate these choices.