Roadmap and tools
Three tools that run in your browser: the ages that change your money in California, when to start Social Security, and what a planner’s fee costs over time.
Tool 1 of 3
The California life-stage roadmap
Each marker is a rule that switches on at a set age. Add your birth year to place yourself on the line.
Places you on the line and moves the ages that depend on when you were born. Stays in this page; nothing is sent.
Retirement accounts
California rules
Social Security
Health cover
The early-withdrawal tax ends
After 59½ the 10% additional tax on early withdrawals from IRAs and workplace plans no longer applies. Withdrawals from pre-tax accounts are still ordinary income. Roth earnings also need the account to be at least five years old to come out tax-free.
Fixed age in current rules
Source: IRS
The early-withdrawal tax ends
After 59½ the 10% additional tax on early withdrawals from IRAs and workplace plans no longer applies. Withdrawals from pre-tax accounts are still ordinary income. Roth earnings also need the account to be at least five years old to come out tax-free.
Talk to an advisor about thisFixed age in current rules
Source: IRS
Tool 3 of 3
Asset-based fee or flat fee
Put in the quotes you have. See what each costs over time, and the balance above which a percentage fee costs more.
$113,290more paid in fees over 20 years with the asset-based fee
- Asset-based fee: $233,290 in total, ending balance $1,627,613.
- Flat fee: $120,000 in total, ending balance $1,791,578.
- The percentage fee costs more than the flat fee whenever the portfolio is above $600,000.
Illustration built only from the figures you enter. The example numbers are not quotes, market rates or benchmarks. The flat fee is held level here; many rise over time. Ask every planner for a written fee schedule.
Find an advisor
Get matched with an advisor who specializes in California residents
Answer a few short questions. We review your answers, contact you to confirm what you need, and match you with a licensed financial advisor who specializes in California residents.
- Tell us about your household. Ranges are fine.
- We read your answers and check in with you.
- We introduce a licensed advisor who works with California residents.
This website is an educational publisher. It does not give personalized advice, recommend securities or manage money. Asking to be matched does not create an advisory relationship: any relationship is between you and the advisor, who will give you their own disclosures before you decide anything. Licensed financial advisors join our network to receive introductions and may pay us for them, through a monthly membership and a fee for each request. The fee does not depend on whether you hire an advisor and is not higher or lower for any particular advisor. Because advisors may pay us, we have a financial interest in the introductions we make. We match you by what you need, and being matched is not a recommendation or rating of any advisor. Nothing here is investment advice.
Tool 2 of 3
Social Security starting ages
What starting at 62, at your full retirement age or at 70 does to the monthly check, and the age at which waiting pays off in total.
Full retirement age: 67.
Your estimate is on your statement at ssa.gov/myaccount. The figure shown is an example.
$2,400a month from 67, 100.0% of your full amount
Illustration. Uses the Social Security Administration’s early-claiming reduction and delayed-credit rules. Leaves out cost-of-living increases, taxes, Medicare premiums, the earnings test and spousal or survivor benefits, which can change the best age for a couple.
Talk to an advisor about when to start →