Windfall Allocation Calculator
Optimally split an inheritance, bonus, or settlement across taxes, debt, savings, retirement, and investments.
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
To investments ($)
$0.00
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the total windfall amount (inheritance, bonus, lawsuit settlement, etc.).
- Enter your total outstanding debt and emergency fund gap.
- Set your expected tax rate on the windfall if it is taxable income.
- Select whether you are behind on retirement savings.
- Review the recommended allocation: taxes, emergency fund, debt payoff, retirement, investments, and 10% for enjoyment.
What each input means
- Windfall amount ($)
- Total windfall received.
- Total outstanding debt ($)
- All outstanding debt balances.
- Emergency fund gap ($)
- Amount needed to reach 6-month emergency fund.
- Expected tax rate (%)
- Tax rate on the windfall income.
- Retirement savings status
- Whether you are behind on retirement savings goals.
What each result means
- Tax reserve ($)
- Set aside for taxes on windfall.
- To emergency fund ($)
- Fill emergency fund gap.
- To debt payoff ($)
- Pay off outstanding debts.
- To retirement ($)
- Max out retirement contributions.
- To investments ($)
- Invest for long-term growth.
- To enjoyment ($)
- 10% guilt-free spending.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersWindfall amount ($) = 50000, Total outstanding debt ($) = 20000, Emergency fund gap ($) = 10000, Expected tax rate (%) = 24 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate To investments0 = $0
- Calculate Tax reserveTax reserve12000 = $12,000
- Calculate To emergency fundTo emergency fund = min(remaining, emergencyFundGap)10000 = $10,000
Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.
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