Best Of

Best Retirement Planning Tools in 2026

Retirement planning means thinking decades ahead—compounding, inflation, Social Security timing, withdrawal strategies. We looked at how accurate each tool's projections are and how many variables they actually let you tweak.

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  • 5 tools ranked
  • Updated February 2026

How we evaluated

Every ranking uses the same transparent criteria so you can audit the inputs.

Projection methodology and assumptionsSocial Security and pension modelingTax bracket and Roth conversion analysisWithdrawal strategy modelingReal account data integration

The rankings

Honest pros, cons, and verdicts for every app in the category.

1

NewRetirement (Boldin)

Free (basic) / $120/year (Premium)

Best for serious DIY retirement planners

Boldin is the most thorough retirement planner you can get without hiring someone. It models Social Security timing, Roth conversions, Medicare, RMDs, and tax brackets across decades. If you're serious about getting the details right, this is the one.

Pros

  • Most detailed retirement modeling available to consumers
  • Social Security optimization with spousal strategies
  • Roth conversion and tax bracket management
  • Monte Carlo simulations with adjustable assumptions

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and extensive data entry
  • Best features require $120/year premium
  • No direct account sync — mostly manual entry
Visit NewRetirement (Boldin)
2

Empower

Free

Best free retirement planner with real account data

Empower connects to your real accounts and runs Monte Carlo simulations for free. You get a clear success probability that's easy to understand. The downside? Expect sales calls about their advisory service.

Pros

  • Free with real account data integration
  • Monte Carlo simulation with success probability
  • Investment Checkup shows if current allocation supports retirement goals

Cons

  • Less customization than Boldin for advanced users
  • Advisory sales calls follow usage
  • No Roth conversion or tax bracket modeling
Clarity vs EmpowerVisit Empower
3

Wealthfront Path

Free

Best for visualizing how life events affect retirement

Path is great at showing how today's decisions ripple forward. Thinking about buying a house or having kids? It'll show you exactly how that shifts your retirement timeline. The interface is clean and approachable.

Pros

  • Life event impact modeling
  • Connected to real account data
  • Clean, approachable interface

Cons

  • Less detailed than Boldin or Empower
  • No Monte Carlo simulations
  • Recommendations favor Wealthfront products
Visit Wealthfront Path
4

Clarity(Our Pick)

$99/year

Best for quick conversational retirement check-ins

With Clarity, you just ask: 'Am I on track for retirement at 60?' It pulls your actual financial data and gives you a personalized answer. It's conversational rather than form-based, which makes it great for quick check-ins without the spreadsheet vibes.

Pros

  • AI answers retirement questions with your real data
  • Net worth trends show trajectory toward retirement
  • Considers all accounts including crypto in projections

Cons

  • No dedicated retirement calculator interface
  • No Monte Carlo or Social Security optimization
  • AI projections are estimates, not detailed models
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5

Fidelity Retirement Score

Free

Best for a quick retirement readiness check

Fidelity's retirement score is a quick 5-minute health check. It works even without a Fidelity account, gives you a clear score, and suggests next steps. It won't replace a real planning tool, but it's a solid starting point if you're just getting oriented.

Pros

  • Free and works without a Fidelity account
  • Quick 5-minute retirement readiness check
  • Clear, actionable score with improvement suggestions

Cons

  • Very basic — no detailed modeling
  • Encourages Fidelity product adoption
  • No ongoing tracking or updating
Visit Fidelity Retirement Score

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Frequently asked questions

Fact-checked answers pulled from the corresponding category research.

When should I start planning for retirement?

Now. Seriously. Compound growth makes your early years the most valuable. If you're 25 and invest $500/month at 7% average returns, you'll have roughly $1.2M by age 60. Wait until 35 and you'd need $1,000/month to hit the same number. Even a rough plan beats no plan.

How much should I have saved for retirement by age?

Fidelity's rule of thumb: 1x your salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60. But your actual target depends on what you plan to spend, Social Security, pensions, and healthcare costs. A detailed planner like Boldin can give you a number that's actually personalized to your situation.

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