How much can I leave my family?

See what you might leave heirs after spending, gifts, and giving — and tradeoffs between living well now vs later.

Your inputs

About this calculator

Enter asset balances and annual cash flows. See how spending, gifts, and giving may change what passes to heirs.

Your information

Enter your best estimates below.

Assets

401(k), IRA, and similar balances.
Taxable investments and cash.
Home equity and other property (net of mortgage).
Business value you expect to pass on.

Spending & giving

Yearly spending from savings for your lifestyle.
Gifts to family while you are alive.
Yearly donations to charity.

Family & goals

Splits estimated inheritance per person.
How long the projection runs.
Whether you prioritize spending now or preserving wealth.
How central giving is to your plan.

How we run the estimate

Change return and inflation below. Assets, spending, and giving stay in the panel above.

5.0%
2.5%
Each year
Investments grow, then spending and gifts come out
How long we project
Through age 92
Federal estate tax
40% on amounts above $13.99 million exemption (2026 in the model)
All assets together
One blended 5% return on the entire estate
Spending inflation
2.5% per year on withdrawals and gifts
Not included
State estate tax, trusts, and step-up in cost basis at death

Your results

At risk legacy preservation

What it means

Your plan may significantly reduce what you can pass on with the spending path you entered.

How we chose it

Same estate projection and score. This tag appears when the preservation score is below 50.

Projected estate value

$686,157

From $3,500,000 today · Est. inheritance $686,157 · Lifetime giving $987,811.

Per heir (est.)

$343,079

Depletion risk

Elevated

Legacy summary

At risk legacy preservation

What it means

Your plan may significantly reduce what you can pass on with the spending path you entered.

How we chose it

Same estate projection and score. This tag appears when the preservation score is below 50.

Preserve legacy — simplified federal estate tax only.

Projected estate

$686,157

Preservation score

14/100

Est. inheritance

$686,157

Charitable impact

$987,811

Estate value over time

62646668707274767880828486889092$0M$1M$2M$3M$4M

Withdrawals vs. remaining estate

Cumulative withdrawals compared with estate balance — illustrates the tradeoff between lifestyle and legacy.

646668707274767880828486889092$0M$1M$2M$3M$4M$0k$1500k$3000k$4500k$6000k

Legacy scenarios

Compare preserve, spend-more, and charitable strategies.

Preserve legacySpend moreCharitable focus$0M$0M$0M$1M$1M

Risk areas

  • Legacy depletion

    Projected estate falls well below today's value — withdrawals, gifts, and giving may outpace investment growth over your planning horizon.

Planning insights

  • Estate may decline by about $2,813,843 — review withdrawals and giving if preserving wealth is a priority.
  • Lifetime charitable giving in this model totals $987,811.
  • Estimated $343,079 per heir before further planning (2 heirs).
  • Estate reduction risk is elevated — stress-test the spend-more scenario and coordinate with legal and tax advisors.

Beyond this calculator

What you leave behind competes with living well today

This projection shows how spending, gifts, and giving may change estate value. A complete Retirelens plan also addresses:

  • State estate and inheritance taxes
  • Cost basis and tax treatment for heirs on different assets
  • Spouse, trust, and special-needs provisions
  • Balancing current lifestyle with transfers to family or charity

Free to startNo credit card required

Interpretation

What these numbers mean

Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.

If current assumptions hold, your estate could be worth about $686,157 at age 92, down from $3,500,000 today. After a simplified federal estate tax estimate of $0, about $686,157 could pass to heirs (about $343,079 each).

Legacy preservation scores 14/100 (at risk). Estate reduction risk is 65/100 (elevated). Lifetime charitable impact in this model: $987,811.

Trusts, beneficiary designations, state taxes, and asset location materially change real outcomes — use this view to frame conversations with your estate and tax professionals inside your full Retirelens plan.

Methodology

How we figure this out

The rules and math behind this estimate.

We total your retirement, brokerage, real estate, and business assets, then project year-by-year growth minus withdrawals, annual gifting, and charitable giving (with inflation on outflows). The ending balance is your estimated estate value.

Federal estate tax applies a 40% rate on assets above your entered exemption — state estate or inheritance taxes, step-up basis, trusts, and qualified charitable strategies are not modeled in detail.

Scenario pills adjust spending and giving: preserve legacy (lower outflows), spend more in retirement, or charitable focus. This tool is educational planning support, not legal or tax advice.

Help

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to common questions about this calculator.

What does this legacy tool show?

An estimate of what you might leave after spending, gifts, and charity—and simplified federal estate tax if assets are very large.

What should I include?

Retirement accounts, investments, home equity, and business value you expect to pass on. Ask an advisor about trusts or assets already set aside.

Is estate tax included?

A simplified federal estimate only. States have their own rules. See a tax or estate professional for real planning.

Can I rely on this for a will or trust?

No. Use this to start conversations. Wills, trusts, and beneficiaries need a qualified attorney.

Your full retirement picture

Retirement is more than money

Free to startNo credit card required

A good retirement plan covers money, health, how you spend your time, people you care about, and what you pass on. That is how Retirelens looks at the full picture.

Finance

Know where you stand and what to do next with your money.

74% of planners reported satisfaction with retirement income vs. 43% of non-planners (Goldman Sachs)

Health

Secure solid coverage, stay ahead with preventive care and healthy habits a staple.

68% of adults ages 50–64 said they were concerned that federal policy changes could affect their health insurance coverage. (University of Michigan)

Purpose

Shape days you look forward to, with steps to get there.

Research shows that a stronger sense of purpose is associated with lower mortality risk among adults over age 50. (American Medical Association)

Connections

Strengthen relationships and build a support circle.

A longitudinal study of adults aged 65+ found that older adults with more diverse social networks had a lower risk of death and better cognitive and physical function than those with less diverse networks. (Chico Health Aging Project)

Legacy

Organize your assets and document so your family isn't left guessing.

Without a proper estate plan, more than half of families experience disputes or have assets end up under court control. (LegalShield)