Bonus Allocation Planner
Optimally split your bonus across emergency savings, debt payoff, retirement, and fun money. See the financial impact of each allocation choice.
Financial Disclaimer
This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Results are estimates based on the inputs provided. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment or financial planning decisions.
Inputs
Results
After-Tax Bonus
$3,900.00
≈ 4 smartphones
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your gross bonus amount and the tax withholding percentage your employer applies.
- Input your current emergency fund gap — the calculator prioritizes topping that up first.
- Add your high-interest debt balance and rate so the tool can calculate interest saved by paying it down.
- Set a retirement contribution gap and the percentage of after-tax bonus you want for discretionary spending.
- Review the allocation breakdown to see how much flows to emergency fund, debt, retirement, and fun money.
How the result changes with Bonus Amount
| Bonus Amount | After-Tax Bonus |
|---|---|
| $50,090.00 | $39,070.20 |
| $175,065.00 | $136,550.70 |
| $325,035.00 | $253,527.30 |
| $450,010.00 | $351,007.80 |
What each input means
- Bonus Amount
- Pre-tax bonus amount you are receiving.
- Tax Withholding
- Supplemental income withholding rate (federal default is 22%).
- Emergency Fund Gap
- How much more you need in your emergency fund.
- High-Interest Debt Balance
- Outstanding balance on high-interest debt (credit cards, etc.).
- Debt Interest Rate
- Annual interest rate on your high-interest debt.
- Retirement Contribution Gap
- Room left in your annual retirement contribution limit.
- Fun Money Percentage
- Percentage of after-tax bonus to set aside for guilt-free spending.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersBonus Amount = 5000, Tax Withholding = 22, Emergency Fund Gap = 3000, High-Interest Debt Balance = 5000 = 7 input(s) provided
- Calculate After-Tax BonusAfter-Tax Bonus3900 = $3,900
- Calculate To Emergency FundTo Emergency Fund3000 = $3,000
- Calculate To Debt PayoffTo Debt Payoff510 = $510
Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.
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