Retirement Tax Planner

Model your federal and state taxes year by year through retirement. Find Roth conversion windows, manage IRMAA brackets, and minimize your lifetime tax bill.

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Why Retirees Pay More Tax Than They Should

Most people don't think about taxes in retirement until they get the bill. But retirement taxes are fundamentally different from working-year taxes — and without proactive planning, you can easily overpay by tens of thousands of dollars.

Here's what catches retirees off guard:

  • Social Security taxation: Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your other income
  • RMD tax bomb: Required Minimum Distributions at 73 force taxable withdrawals whether you need the money or not
  • IRMAA surcharges: Medicare premiums increase when income crosses specific thresholds — sometimes by $2,000-$5,000/year per person
  • Missed Roth conversion windows: The low-income years between retirement and Social Security/RMDs are a golden opportunity for tax-free conversions

The Solution: Year-by-Year Tax Modeling

You can't optimize what you can't see. A retirement tax planner shows your projected tax bill for every year of retirement — making it obvious where the opportunities are and where the traps lie.

How Bullseye Handles Retirement Taxes

Complete tax modeling that shows your federal, state, and Medicare tax picture for every year of retirement.

Federal Tax Brackets

Calculates your federal tax using current brackets and standard deduction. See exactly which bracket you fall into each year and how much room you have before the next one.

State Tax Modeling

State income taxes are calculated alongside federal. Compare how different state tax rates affect your total tax burden in retirement.

Social Security Taxation

Provisional income determines how much of your Social Security is taxable (0%, 50%, or 85%). Bullseye calculates this automatically based on your total income each year.

IRMAA Bracket Tracking

Medicare IRMAA surcharges use income from 2 years prior. Bullseye projects your MAGI forward so you can see which IRMAA bracket you'll hit — and plan to stay below thresholds.

Roth Conversion Modeling

Use Bullseye's scenario feature to model Roth conversions of different amounts. See how conversions now reduce RMDs later and the net lifetime tax impact.

RMD Tax Impact

Starting at 73, RMDs are added to your taxable income automatically. See how growing RMDs push you into higher brackets over time and whether action is needed.

Tax Planning Examples

The Roth Conversion Window

Janet retires at 63 with $800K in her Traditional IRA. Between 63 and 67, her only income is $18,000 from a part-time job. She has $63,000 of room in the 12% bracket (after standard deduction). Over 4 years, she converts $250,000 to a Roth at the 12% rate — paying $30,000 in taxes now to avoid paying $75,000+ at higher rates when RMDs start at 73. Read more about Roth conversion rules by age.

IRMAA Bracket Avoidance

Robert's income is projected at $210,000 — just above the $206,000 IRMAA threshold. This triggers $838/year in additional Medicare premiums for him and his wife. By slightly reducing his 401(k) withdrawal and taking from his Roth instead, he stays below the threshold, saving $838/year in IRMAA surcharges. Use our IRMAA calculator to check your brackets.

Social Security Tax Optimization

Carol claims Social Security of $30,000/year and has $25,000 in 401(k) withdrawals. Her provisional income ($25,000 + $15,000) = $40,000 — making 50% of her Social Security taxable. If she instead withdrew from her Roth, her provisional income drops to $15,000 and zero Social Security is taxable, saving roughly $2,500 in federal taxes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Social Security taxation depends on your "provisional income" (AGI + tax-exempt interest + 50% of Social Security). For married couples filing jointly: below $32,000 = 0% taxable; $32,000-$44,000 = up to 50% taxable; above $44,000 = up to 85% taxable.

Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) are additional premiums added to Medicare Part B and Part D when your modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds. In 2024, surcharges begin at $206,000 for married couples filing jointly.

The best time for Roth conversions is typically when your income is temporarily low — between retirement and Social Security/RMD start. This often means ages 62-72, when you can fill lower tax brackets with conversion income.

RMDs from Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are taxed as ordinary income. As your balance grows, RMDs grow too — potentially pushing you into higher tax brackets over time. This is why strategic Roth conversions before age 73 can be valuable.

Nine states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Some other states exempt Social Security or pension income from state taxes.

Indirectly, yes. Delaying Social Security creates low-income years perfect for Roth conversions. And claiming at different ages changes how much of your total income is taxable each year. Bullseye models all these interactions.

See Your Retirement Tax Picture

Model your federal taxes, state taxes, IRMAA, and RMDs year by year. Find Roth conversion opportunities before it's too late.

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