Relax Retirement Calculator articles
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How to Calculate a Social Security Survivor Benefit

Buckle up — the calculation for a social security survivor’s benefit is complicated….

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Losing a Spouse During Retirement Can Be Financially Devastating

Here’s a tool to determine ahead of time that a surviving spouse will have enough income and savings to live comfortably throughout retirement.

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When Converting to a Roth IRA Makes Sense

Confused as to whether to convert traditional tax deferred assets like an IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRA? Our app can provide the answer for FREE…

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Don't Invest the Way Roberto Duran Boxes

Market volatility can be equivalent to taking a left hook from a heavyweight prize fighter! Find out what not to do..

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5 Characteristics of the Best Retirement Calculators

Looking for a “good” retirement calculator but don’t know what to look for? Here are 5 “must have” characteristics.

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Use This Tool To Determine If Your Retirement Nest Egg Will Survive A Bear Market

The long running bull market may be over. How secure is your retirement in a prolonged bear market?

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Beware of Retirement Land Mines

You’ve headed the warnings from financial experts and saved money for retirement throughout your working years, but have you planned for these two potential retirement land mines?

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A Retirement Calculator that Exceeds the Expectations of Skeptics

There are a few skeptics regarding the usefulness of retirement calculators. The Relax Retirement Calculator resolves their concerns.

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Why Having More Money May Not Solve Your Financial Problems

Throwing money at a financial problem usually doesn’t help — you’ll be better off by identifying and fixing the cause of the problem. Here are some suggestions…

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States That Offer the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

Considering moving to another state due to retirement or a company transfer? Regional price parities can help you determine how your purchasing power will differ in your new state.

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Retirees Should Not Fear the (State Income Tax) Reaper

There’s no reason retirees should be afraid of the impact that state taxes may have on their retirement income. That’s because there are several “extra” exemptions and deductions that allow retirees to mitigate, and perhaps eliminate, state income taxes.

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The 4% Withdrawal Rule is Obsolete; Use This Tool Instead

Why use “guesses” and “rules of thumb” when developing something as important as your financial retirement plan? Instead, use this tool to build an accurate, fact-based retirement plan you can have confidence in.

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Are Your Finances Ready for The Next Recession?

The economy has boomed for 10 years, the stock market has quadrupled, and real estate is soaring but the next recession may be right around the corner. Here’s how to get prepared for the next downturn.

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Advice From a Career Stock Picker: Listen to Bogle and Buffett

Don’t waste valuable time trying to beat the market by picking individual stocks. Rather, just listen to Bogle and Buffett when planning for retirement.

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Proposed Reforms Could Save Social Security But They Face an Uphill Battle

Could Washington finally begin to address social security’s looming solvency problems? Recently introduced legislation provides hope, but don’t hold your breath…….

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Stealth Inflation Can Wreck Your Retirement Budget

Don’t be complacent because the “headline” inflation rate remains low by historical standards. Instead, look below the surface to find the stealth inflation that could wreck your budget.

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Baby Boomers Can Teach Millennials a Lot, Including how NOT to Plan for Retirement

Baby boomers to millennials: Don’t be like us. We saved little during our working years and are now paying the price in retirement.

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Social Security: Facts, Figures and Information

The Relax retirement calculator automatically calculates your social security income at any month or age.

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Baby Boomers Can't Count on Their Homes for Retirement

Falling house prices, driven by millions of baby boomers selling at the same time, combined with the already low levels of savings of this age group, makes retirement planning all the more vital.

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Why You Absolutely Must "Know Your Number"

No, we’re not talking about your credit score, although that’s important too. Instead, we’re talking about the age when ……….

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Retirement Calculators: A Comparison of Features. And the Best is ..... (Part II)

According to our detailed comparison of more than 20 retirement planners across 60 features, the most comprehensive, easy-to-use one is ……….

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Retirement Calculators: A Comparison of Features. Which is the Best? (Part I)

Are you ready to start planning your retirement but can’t decide which retirement calculator to use?  There are so many calculators out there …….

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Is Social Security Going Broke? If So, What Does It Mean For Your Retirement?

It can happen to anyone. You turn 55, realize you’ve saved little for retirement and begin to panic because you’ve heard social …...  

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2024 Spirits Tax ($/gal)
Highest

  1. Washington  $36.55
  2. Oregon  $22.86
  3. Virginia  $22.06
  4. Alabama  $21.69
  5. N Carolina  $16.40

Lowest

  1. Indiana  $2.68
  2. Kansas  $2.50
  3. Texas  $2.40
  4. Colorado  $2.28
  5. Missouri  $2.00

Source: Tax Foundation

2022 Wine Tax ($/gal)
Highest

  1. Kentucky  $3.38
  2. Alaska  $2.50
  3. Florida  $2.25
  4. DC  $1.89
  5. Iowa  $1.75

Lowest

  1. Kansas  $0.30
  2. New York  $0.30
  3. Wisconsin  $0.25
  4. California  $0.20
  5. Texas  $0.20

Source: Tax Foundation

2024 Beer Tax ($/gal)
Highest

  1. Tennessee  $1.29
  2. Alaska  $1.07
  3. Hawaii  $0.93
  4. Kentucky  $0.92
  5. S.Carolina  $0.77

Lowest

  1. Pennsylvania  $0.08
  2. Colorado  $0.08
  3. Wisconsin  $0.06
  4. Missouri  $0.06
  5. Wyoming  $0.02

Source: Tax Foundation

2024 Cigar Tax ($/cigar)
Highest

  1. Utah  $5.07
  2. New York  $4.42
  3. Alaska  $4.42
  4. DC  $4.19
  5. Colorado  $3.30

Lowest

  1. Alabama  $0.04
  2. Texas  $0.01
  3. Pennsylvania  $0.00
  4. N Hampshire  $0.00
  5. Florida  $0.00

Source: Tax Foundation

2024 Cigarette Tax ($/pak)
Highest

  1. New York  $4.35
  2. Connecticut  $4.35
  3. Maryland  $3.75
  4. Minnesota  $3.67
  5. Massachusetts  $3.51

Lowest

  1. South Carolina  $0.57
  2. North Carolina  $0.45
  3. North Dakota  $0.44
  4. Georgia  $0.37
  5. Missouri  $0.17

Source: Tax Foundation

2024 Wireless Service Tax
Highest

  1. Illinois  23.2%
  2. Washington  21.6%
  3. Arkansas  21.5%
  4. New York  20.6%
  5. Nebraska  20.4%

Lowest

  1. Hawaii  8.0%
  2. Virginia  7.8%
  3. Montana  7.0%
  4. Nevada  5.1%
  5. Idaho  3.4%

Source: Tax Foundation

2023 Migration
Inbound

  1. South Carolina  1.6%
  2. Delaware  1.0%
  3. North Carolina  0.9%
  4. Tennessee  0.9%
  5. Florida  0.9%

Outbound

  1. Illinois  -0.7%
  2. Alaska  -0.8%
  3. Hawaii  -0.8%
  4. California  -.9%
  5. New York  -1.0%

Source: Tax Foundation

2024 Business Climate
Best States

  1. Wyoming
  2. South Dakota
  3. Alaska
  4. Florida
  5. Montana

Worst States

  1. Massachusetts
  2. Connecticut
  3. California
  4. New York
  5. New Jersey

Source: CNBC

Inflation (CPI)

20141.6%
20150.6%
20161.3%
20172.1%
20182.4%
20191.8%
20201.2%
20214.7%
20228.0%
20234.1%

10 yr avg   2.6%
20 yr avg   2.5%
30 yr avg   2.5%

Source: Minneapolis Fed

Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments

20160.0%
20170.3%
20182.0%
20192.8%
20201.6%
20211.3%
20225.9%
20238.7%
20243.2%
20252.5%

10 yr avg   2.8%
20 yr avg   2.6%
30 yr avg   2.5%

Source: Social Security

2024 Gas Tax ($/gal)
Highest

  1. California  $0.6810
  2. Illinois  $0.6650
  3. Pennsylvania  $0.5870
  4. Washington  $0.5282
  5. Indiana  $0.5170

Lowest

  1. Arizona  $0.1900
  2. New Mexico  $0.1888
  3. Hawaii  $0.1850
  4. Mississippi  $0.1840
  5. Alaska  $0.0895

Source: Tax Foundation

State Income Taxes
Lowest Rates

  • 1. AK, FL, NV
  • 1. NH, SD, TN
  • 1. TX, WA, WY

Highest Rates

  1. Minnesota
  2. Hawaii
  3. New York
  4. California
  5. New Jersey

Source: Tax Foundation

State + Local Sales Taxes
Lowest Rates

  1. Alaska  1.76%
  2. Hawaii  4.44%
  3. Wyoming  5.22%
  4. Wisconsin  5.43%
  5. Maine  5.50%

Highest Rates

  1. Alabama  9.24%
  2. Washington  9.29%
  3. Arkansas  9.47%
  4. Tennessee  9.55%
  5. Louisiana  9.55%

Source: Tax Foundation

2022 Property Taxes
Lowest Rates

  1. Hawaii  0.31%
  2. Alabama  0.39%
  3. Louisiana  0.54%
  4. Colorado  0.54%
  5. Wyoming  0.56%

Highest Rates

  1. Connecticut  1.76%
  2. Vermont  1.82%
  3. N.Hampshire  1.96%
  4. Illinois  2.05%
  5. New Jersey  2.21%

Source: Tax Foundation