Each page runs one retirement tax decision both ways for a stated household, using the simulator’s tax functions, and shows the figures side by side. Then it explains why they differ, when each choice tends to come out ahead, and what the comparison leaves out. They explain how the rules interact and do not recommend a choice. The right choice depends on the rest of a plan, which the simulator can show over many years.
The comparisons
- Married filing jointly vs separately in retirement
Two retired couples run both ways: brackets, Social Security, the senior deduction and Medicare surcharges on joint versus separate returns.
Topic: Taxes in retirement
- IRA withdrawal vs selling taxable investments for spending
The same $40,000 of spending money taken from a traditional IRA or raised by selling shares: this year’s tax both ways, and why it differs.
Topic: Withdrawal strategy & market risk
- Roth conversion vs harvesting gains at 0%
A couple at 62 with room in the low brackets: fill it with a Roth conversion, with tax-free capital gains, or both, and what each costs now.
Topic: Roth conversions
More
These examples show how the rules work. They are not financial, tax or investment advice. Real returns have details these examples leave out, so check the IRS instructions or ask a tax professional before you act. See the disclaimer.