Is My Money Safe?
Test withdrawal strategies, model sequence risk, and optimize taxes for a secure retirement.
The biggest risk in FIRE isn't market crashes — it's running out of money during a 40-50 year retirement. This category covers sequence of returns risk (the danger of retiring into a bear market), withdrawal strategy optimization, tax-efficient drawdown planning, and stress-testing your portfolio against worst-case scenarios.
You're approaching your FIRE number or already retired. These tools help ensure your portfolio survives. Run the Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator to find your sustainable spending level. Use withdrawal strategy tools to minimize taxes. Model sequence risk to understand the math behind the 'one more year' syndrome.
All 9 Calculators in This Category
Frequently Asked Questions About Is My Money Safe?
Is the 4% rule still safe?
The 4% rule was designed for 30-year retirements. For FIRE investors with 40-50+ year horizons, a 3.25-3.5% initial withdrawal rate is more appropriate. High current CAPE ratios (~38 in 2026) also suggest starting conservatively.
What is sequence of returns risk?
Sequence risk is retiring into a bear market. If your portfolio drops 30% in year one and you're withdrawing 4%, you're effectively withdrawing 5.7% of the remaining balance — dramatically increasing the risk of running out of money.
Which accounts should I withdraw from first?
Taxable brokerage first (favorable capital gains rates), then tax-deferred (401k/IRA — but start Roth conversions early), and Roth last (tax-free growth is most valuable over long horizons).