Step 1
You and your household
Your age, your spouse, your state, your longevity. These set the simulation horizon and tax environment.
Only used if MFJ. Each spouse has their own RMD age.
Age at which the second spouse dies. Sim runs from today through this age.
If MFJ: age of the YOUNGER spouse when the first spouse dies. Survivor files Single after this (widow's penalty). 0 = both die simultaneously at plan-to age.
Age of the kid inheriting. Drives the 10-year drain bracket math.
Their job income. Inherited Trad stacks on top of this in their bracket.
Step 2
Your three buckets
Each bucket has different tax treatment. Traditional = ordinary income on withdrawal (RMDs forced at 73/75). Roth = tax-free, never RMD'd by you. Brokerage = capital gains on appreciation, stepped up at death.
Each spouse's IRA RMDs separately on THEIR age & balance.
What you paid. Gains above this are LTCG when sold. Stepped up tax-free at death.
Step 3
Your income & spending
What you bring in (SS + pension) vs what you need to spend. The gap is what the buckets fund — and where the strategy choice matters.
Total household need before tax. Grown by general inflation each year.
What you'd collect today. Grows 3%/yr COLA.
Defaults to your current age (already collecting). Bump up if you'll wait.
For brackets, std ded, IRMAA, pensions, spending. SS uses fixed 3% COLA.
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