The 2026 version of The Complete Retirement Planner (TCRP 2026) is now available!
As always, this update includes the latest tax codes, 401k/IRA and HSA contribution limits, and Medicare premiums. Several new features have also been added to further enhance TCRP's reputation as being one of the most comprehensive retirement planning tools available - and still at the same unbeatable price for the past 5 years!
But don't let the low price fool you - TCRP is not lacking in any way, we do it because we CAN, and because it makes a significant difference for households across the country. Our only goal is to help people to plan for their future,
not to charge as much as the market will bear. This is why we do not advertise (keeping the price as low as possible), and why even with significant inflation over the past several years, the price of TCRP still remains at $89.99
(and annual updates at only $12.99 for existing customers!). We are obviously not in this for the profit, our only goal is to make it as easy as possible for anyone to create a comprehensive financial plan for their future. The combination of
a feature rich planning tool, an unbeatable price, and excellent customer service is what makes us unique.
No one else does what we do, the way that we do it.
New Features for 2026:
• 16 States offer Real Estate tax reductions for Seniors, so the Mortgages section now allows you to adjust your real estate tax amount as of the appropriate year (different States allow this at different ages). Very helpful for making sure that your total tax deductions, and expenses, are accurate as you age.
• All tax codes are current, but of most interest is the new $6,000 tax deduction for seniors (if you are age 65 or older, during 2025-2028). Certain income restrictions apply, and the details are explained on the FAQ page, question #23. This deduction may be applied to either the Standard Deduction or to Itemized Deductions, so TCRP automatically applies it to both for you, and then uses the greater of the two to determine your total tax deductions.
Along with this deduction, real estate taxes and State Income taxes (or State Sales Tax for those States without Income tax) combined were previously capped at a total of $10,000/year ($5,000 if Single). For 2025-2029, that cap has been raised to $40,000 ($20,000 if Single), with some income restrictions. These changes are automatically taken into account, including possible income restrictions, and included in the Tax Deduction section of the Results page.
This will have a significant impact in States with higher real estate taxes.
• Excess income and excess RMD's were previously auto-saved to Cash savings (using the first spouse's Cash savings interest rate), and then split 50/50 between spouses (if married). For 2026, excess income is still split 50/50 between spouses, but it is saved to each spouse's Cash savings directly so that they can use their own desired interest rate. Excess RMD's are now saved to each spouse's (if married) Short-Term Invested savings, based on their respective RMD amounts. Example - One spouse has an RMD of $20,000, and the other spouse has an RMD of $40,000. If the money is not needed for expenses, 95% of the total is auto-saved, with 1/3 being saved to the first spouse's Short-Term Invested savings (their RMD was 1/3 of the total), and 2/3 being saved to the second spouse's Short-Term Invested savings.
Not only is this a more equitable solution, but it also offers more flexibility in helping money that was previously invested to continue to grow at a higher return rate than Cash savings (depending on your interest/return rates).
It also allows spouses the opportunity to use different return rates for those savings rather than having everything lumped together using only the first spouse's Cash savings interest rate (as before).
• Possibly the biggest new feature for 2026 is the addition of a Roth Conversion Calculator!
Roth Conversions were always easy to enter, but it took a little trial and error, by reviewing the Results page,
to determine how effective different amounts were. The new calculator is independent of the rest of the planner and will show you, on one page, how much you can convert each year and still stay in the same tax bracket, how much the conversion taxes may be, whether or not you have enough income to pay those taxes without needing an additional distribution from savings, and how beneficial the conversion(s) will be over time. You can see a "before" and "after" summary of your tax bracket, total taxes paid, any necessary distributions for the conversion taxes, and a total savings balance for each year. Just enter potential conversion amounts, by spouse (if married), and instantly see the results! Once you are happy with the results, then enter the conversion amounts on the Income page of the planner as usual. You can see how easy it is to use the calculator - all you do is enter desired conversion amounts - on the View The Planner page of the website.
There is no better way to gain a greater understanding of your finances than with a comprehensive financial plan. We are committed to making it as easy as possible for anyone, even with limited (or no) planning experience, to create an individualized, comprehensive financial plan for their future. Stop Guessing, Start Planning, and retire with confidence!