DecisionsCalc calculators

Yearly cost of caring for an aging parent (US by state; also UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand by region): the care itself (for example home health aide, adult day care, assisted living, memory care, nursing home, or family care only) less any coverage, medical costs, home adaptations spread over the years of care, and the income a family caregiver gives up. Inputs left out use the country defaults from the planner page (US: Texas, home health aide). An unknown region or care type falls back to the default and the answer lists the valid keys. Use this when someone asks what caring for an elderly parent costs.

Australia: can I retire at 60 with $500k in super (or any age and balance)? Year by year to 95 for one person or a couple: super guarantee and salary sacrifice (15% contributions tax), super from preservation age 60 into a tax-free account-based pension with the minimum drawdowns, the Age Pension from 67 under the income test (deeming, Work Bonus) and assets test (homeowner or not) from 20 September 2026, an optional UK State Pension (frozen in Australia), and tax (14% band from 2027-28, LITO, SAPTO, Medicare levy). Returns the age the money lasts to, bridge years to 67, wealth at retirement, the spending that lasts to 95, a retire-at-60/62/65 comparison and key years in today’s money.

Australia: Parental Leave Pay for one or two parents sharing the 130 days (A$200.94 a day from 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage) with 12% super paid on it, optional employer full-pay weeks, and the gap against normal pay before tax.

Australia: private health insurance rebate (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027) and Medicare Levy Surcharge for 2026–27 by income tier, single or family, and age band: whether hospital cover saves you tax.

Australia: the employer super guarantee (12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025; paid with each payday under Payday Super from 1 July 2026), per payday and per year, plus salary sacrifice against the $32,500 concessional cap and the 15% contributions tax (ATO). Use this when someone in Australia asks how much super their employer must pay or how much they can salary sacrifice.

Canada: can I retire at 60 with $500k (or any age and pot)? Year by year to 95 for one person or a couple: RRSP contributions until retirement, RRSP to RRIF (by 71) with the RRIF minimum withdrawal, CPP from the chosen age (−0.6%/month before 65, +0.7% after), OAS from 65-70 (years in Canada / 40, +0.6%/month deferred, +10% at 75) with the 15% recovery tax over $95,323, GIS on last year’s income, pension income splitting, an optional UK State Pension (frozen in Canada), and federal plus provincial tax for every province and territory except Quebec (2026 amounts). Returns the age the money lasts to, bridge years, wealth at retirement, the spending that lasts to 95, a retire-at-60/62/65 comparison and key years in today’s money.

Canada (outside Quebec): EI maternity and parental benefits for 2026: 55% of insurable earnings up to $729 a week (standard) or 33% up to $437 (extended), 15 weeks maternity, parental weeks, one-week waiting period. Use this for detailed Canadian EI weeks and amounts; for Quebec use quebec_qpip; for a one-line gross comparison across countries use parental_leave_income_gap.

The true 5-year cost of owning a car (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland or New Zealand): depreciation, loan interest, insurance, fuel or charging, maintenance and sales tax, plus the effective monthly cost. Any input left out uses that country's default (the calculator page's example). US/UK take miles and mpg; the other countries take kilometres and litres per 100 km. Use this when someone asks what a car (or a small SUV) really costs to own over five years.

The yearly cost of living with a chronic condition: insurance premiums, specialist and lab visits, prescriptions, supplies, over-the-counter items, therapy, travel and diet, plus lost work time and productivity on your salary. Inputs left out use the country defaults from the calculator page (US premiums from the KFF 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey). Use this when someone asks what a chronic illness costs a year.

The full cost of a degree: net tuition after grants, housing and food, books, transport, loan interest (10-year repayment) and the pay given up while studying. US defaults are College Board 2026-27 public four-year figures; other countries use the calculator page's defaults. Use this when someone asks what college or university really costs.

Compound interest: what a starting amount plus monthly contributions grows to at a given annual rate, and how much of the final balance is money paid in versus interest. Compounding monthly unless set. Pure arithmetic, before tax and inflation. Use this for "how much will my savings grow" questions.

What raising a child to 18 costs (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand): everyday costs by age band, pre-school childcare, an optional housing share and inflation, less child benefit where the country pays it. Inputs left out use the country defaults from the calculator page. Use this when someone asks how much it costs to raise a child.

Debt payoff: compares the avalanche (highest interest rate first) with the snowball (smallest balance first) for a list of debts and an extra monthly payment. Returns months to debt-free and total interest for each, and how much the avalanche saves. Flags debts the payments never clear. Use this when someone asks which debt to pay off first or how long it will take.

How big an emergency fund should be for a household: essential monthly spending times a recommended number of months (3 to 9) that rises with less stable work, a single income and higher health risk; plus the gap to close and how many months it takes at a given monthly saving. Any currency. Use this when someone asks how much emergency savings they need.

US: financial independence (FIRE) number and timeline: the portfolio needed to cover yearly spending at a safe withdrawal rate (default 4%), with and without Social Security capitalised, how many years it takes at your saving rate and real return, and whether you reach it by a target age. Use this when someone asks how much they need to retire early or when they could reach FIRE.

Buying a home in the US, UK, Canada, Australia or Ireland: the cash needed on the day and the monthly cost. Purchase tax from the official schedules with first-time buyer relief (England and NI SDLT, Scotland LBTT, Wales LTT; Canadian land transfer tax or registration fee by province with first-time buyer refunds; Australian transfer duty with each state’s first home buyer concessions; Irish stamp duty, on the VAT-exclusive price for a new home), the CMHC premium and the sales tax on it (Canada), the First Home Owner Grant and 5% Deposit Scheme (Australia), Help to Buy (Ireland), the GST rebate on a new home (Canada), fees (estimates you can pass), the mortgage payment, PMI (US, until 78%), the lender test of the country (US 28/36 rule of thumb, Canadian stress test GDS/TDS, APRA 3-point buffer, Central Bank 4x/3.5x income, UK 4.5x guide), months of saving until the cash is there and the first year buying beats renting (rent vs buy model). Rules read 9 November 2026.

The first-year cost of buying a home on top of the deposit and the loan principal: one-off buying costs (closing costs or stamp duty and fees, moving) and the year's mortgage interest, property tax, insurance, HOA or service charge, mortgage insurance and maintenance. Inputs left out use the country defaults from the calculator page. Use this when someone asks what owning a home really costs in the first year.

Ireland: take-home pay in 2026 against 2027 after Budget 2027 (income tax bands and credits, USC, PRSI, rent credit), line by line.

Ireland: the extra a household gets in social welfare from January 2027 under Budget 2027: core weekly payments +€10, Fuel Allowance +€5 a week (28-week season), Living Alone Allowance +€3, Child Support Payment +€6 per child; Child Benefit unchanged at €140 a month per child.

Ireland: can I retire at 60 (or any age)? Year-by-year projection to 95 for one person or a couple: pay and pension contributions until retirement, DC pots drawn at retirement (25% lump sum: first €200,000 tax-free, next €300,000 at 20%; the rest to an ARF with the 4%/5%/6% imputed minimum drawdown), DB pensions, State Pension (Contributory) from 66 (default €309.30 a week, 2027), savings, an optional UK State Pension for UK years (from the UK State Pension age, taxed in Ireland, no USC), a spending target in today’s money, and income tax (age credit, €18,000/€36,000 exemption with marginal relief), USC (none on the State Pension; reduced at 70+) and PRSI (pay only) on the 2027 rules. Growth and inflation are assumptions. Returns the age the money lasts to, bridge years before 66, wealth at retirement, the spending that lasts to 95, retire-at-60/62/65 comparison and key years in today’s money.

Ireland: capital gains tax on a disposal (shares, crypto, property other than your home): 31% for disposals from 7 October 2026 (33% before), 33% on development land, €1,270 annual exemption, losses, and the payment deadline (15 December for January–November disposals). Not for Irish/EU ETFs or funds, which pay exit tax.

Ireland: estimate the weekly Carer’s Allowance from the official means test (income disregard €1,000/€2,000 from July 2026, €1,150/€2,300 from July 2027; savings bands; Department rate table).

Ireland: exit tax on ETF purchases (lots): each lot’s 8-year deemed disposal dates, the tax due at each (41% to 2025, 38% in 2026, 35% from 2027 under Budget 2027) and the credit back when you sell. Values not given are grown at the rate you set (an assumption).

Ireland Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal): the weekly contribution (80% of assessable income and 7.5% a year of assets over €36,000; a couple 40% of combined income and 3.75% over €72,000), what the HSE pays, the contribution after the 3-year cap on the home, and the Nursing Home Loan balance after 5 years.

Ireland: check the Fuel Allowance means test (66+: €534 a week single, €640.80 from January 2027; under 66 needs a qualifying payment) and the 2026/27 season amount (€38, then €43 a week; €1,134 in lump sums).

Ireland: Help to Buy refund for a first-time buyer of a new build or self-build: the lesser of €35,000 (contracts from 7 October 2026; €30,000 before), 10% of the price, or income tax + DIRT paid in the previous 4 years; price limit €500,000; mortgage at least 70% of the price. Scheme runs to the end of 2029.

Ireland: Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) on a gift or inheritance: group threshold by relationship (A child €420,000, B sibling/niece/nephew/grandchild/parent €44,000, C everyone else €22,000 from 7 October 2026; €400,000/€40,000/€20,000 before), 33% above the unused threshold after earlier benefits in the same group since 5 December 1991, the €3,000 small gift exemption, whether an IT38 return is needed (above 80% of the threshold) and the 31 October pay-and-file date. Spouses and civil partners are exempt; reliefs (dwelling house, agricultural, business, favourite nephew) are not applied.

Ireland: the new Individual Investment Account (IIA) under the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026 as published on 19 October 2026 (not yet law; opens 1 July 2027 by ministerial order): up to €12,000 a year in, money only, 1% investment account tax a year on the average daily value above €50,000, no exit tax or deemed disposal inside. Compares what is left after tax at the horizon against an ETF outside the account (35% exit tax from 2027, 38% in 2026, 8-year deemed disposal with credit), direct shares (31% CGT above €1,270) and a pension/PRSA (relief at 20% or 40% within the age-related limit, 25% lump sum with the first €200,000 tax-free, rest at the retirement rate, locked until 60). Money above the IIA limit or the pension relief limit goes to the ETF in that option. Returns the ranking, year-by-year cash-out values, the first year the 1% applies, any year the ETF overtakes the IIA, and whether "pension first, then IIA, then ETF" holds on these assumptions. Growth is an assumption. Use this when someone in Ireland asks whether to use the new investment account, IIA or keep buying ETFs, or whether the account changes "max your pension first"; for a lump sum across State Savings, deposits, ETFs, shares and a pension use ireland_where_to_put_savings, and for existing ETF holdings’ deemed disposal dates use ireland_etf_exit_tax_lots.

Ireland: Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit week by week for a job lost on or after 28 March 2025: 60% of average gross weekly pay up to €450 (weeks 1–13), 55% up to €375 (14–26), 50% up to €300 (27–39) with 260+ paid PRSI contributions, or 50% up to €300 for 26 weeks with 104–259; minimum €125; paid from the first Monday; apply within 6 weeks; redundancy has no effect; part-time days move to Jobseeker’s Benefit.

Ireland: tax on residential rental income for an individual landlord: profit after mortgage interest (deductible only for RTB-registered tenancies), other expenses and 12.5% wear and tear, income tax at the marginal rate on top of salary (2026 or Budget 2027 bands), the Residential Premises Rental Income Relief (up to €1,000, 20% of profit), USC with the 3% surcharge on non-PAYE income over €100,000, and PRSI on unearned income over €5,000 for employees under 66.

Ireland: each parent’s take-home pay in the year of maternity/paternity/parent’s leave against a normal year (Maternity Benefit €299 a week in 2026, €309 from 2027; taxed but no USC or PRSI), the household gap and a monthly saving target. Use this for an Irish couple’s after-tax household picture; for a quick gross comparison across countries use parental_leave_income_gap.

Ireland: MyFutureFund (pension auto-enrolment, started January 2026): what you, your employer and the State pay in (1.5/1.5/0.5% rising to 6/6/2% by year 10, on pay up to €80,000) and the projected pot at retirement.

Ireland: overpay the mortgage, invest, or top up a pension? Compares the same lump sum and/or extra monthly amount four ways at a horizon, after Irish tax: overpaying (keep the payment and shorten the term, or reduce the payment; interest saved, months cut, a tax-free return equal to the mortgage rate, freed payments saved after 33% DIRT), an Irish/EU ETF or fund (exit tax 38% in 2026, 35% from 2027, 8-year deemed disposal with credit), shares or an investment trust (CGT 31% above the €1,270 exemption) and a pension AVC/PRSA (relief at 20% or 40% within the age-related limit of 15%-40% of earnings up to €115,000; 25% lump sum tax-free up to €200,000, the rest taxed at the retirement rate; flags when it is still locked at the horizon). Returns the ranking, a plain verdict and the break-even growth rate at which each investment matches overpaying. Use this when someone in Ireland asks whether to overpay their mortgage or invest (ETFs, shares) or make pension AVCs, or whether to reduce the term or the payment; for a lump sum with no mortgage, use ireland_where_to_put_savings.

Ireland: PCP vs car loan (credit union or bank) vs paying cash for a car. PCP: deposit or trade-in, level monthly payments that leave the GMFV (balloon) owed at the end, then pay the GMFV to own the car or hand it back (excess-km charge applied on hand back only); you do not own a PCP car until the final payment and cannot sell it without the lender’s permission, and the half rule (Consumer Credit Act 1995) lets you hand it back once half the total amount payable is paid. Loan: standard amortisation, you own the car from day one; a balance still owed at the end of the PCP term is counted as cleared then. Cash: the savings interest given up after 33% DIRT. APR is treated as an effective annual rate (EU Directive 2008/48/EC Annex I): monthly rate = (1 + APR)^(1/12) − 1; fees not modelled. Returns each route’s monthly payment, total paid, cost of credit, savings interest lost, car value kept and net cost over the PCP term (payments + lost interest − car value), the ranking, PCP total payable, the half-rule point, equity (end value − GMFV) and a plain verdict. All rates, the GMFV and the end value are the user’s figures or stated assumptions. Use this when someone in Ireland asks whether a PCP or a credit union/bank car loan is cheaper, whether to pay cash or finance a car, what the GMFV or balloon means for them, or when they can hand back a PCP car.

Ireland: income tax relief on personal pension contributions and AVCs (occupational scheme, PRSA, RAC, PEPP): the age-related limit (under 30 15%, 30-39 20%, 40-49 25%, 50-54 30%, 55-59 35%, 60+ 40% of earnings up to €115,000), relief at the marginal rate (2026 or Budget 2027 bands; no USC or PRSI relief), the net cost and the room left this year.

Ireland: how much Rent Tax Credit a renter can claim for each year 2022–2026 (20% of rent, capped per year), including back-claims. Claims for 2022 must be made by 31 December 2026 (Revenue four-year rule).

Ireland: should a landlord sell a rental property now or keep it? Compares wealth after tax year by year over N years (default 10): KEEP = rent (growth capped at 2% or CPI under the rent control from 1 March 2026) less costs, mortgage and Case V tax at the marginal rate, plus growth, valued net of selling costs, CGT and any RPRIR clawback; SELL NOW = price less selling costs, CGT (31% from 7 October 2026, €1,270 exemption, pre-2003 indexation) and the mortgage, invested in State Savings, a deposit (DIRT), an ETF (exit tax, deemed disposal), a pension (age limits) or the home mortgage. Returns the difference, both paths by year, the break-even house-price growth and year-1 income.

Ireland: how much of a redundancy or severance package is tax-free and the tax on the rest (Revenue Tax and Duty Manual Part 05-05-19, March 2026). Statutory redundancy is exempt; of the ex-gratia lump sum, the highest of the basic exemption (€10,160 + €765 per complete year), the increased exemption (+€10,000 less any tax-free pension lump sum, if not claimed in the last 10 years) and SCSB (average pay × years ÷ 15, less the pension lump sum) is tax-free, capped at €200,000 for life; the excess is taxed as pay (income tax and USC, not PRSI). Also shows the result if the pension lump sum is given up. Reproduces Revenue's 11 worked examples. Use this when someone in Ireland asks how much tax they will pay on a redundancy or severance payment.

Ireland: estimate the State Pension (Contributory) weekly rate under the Department’s Total Contributions Approach (paid PRSI + up to 520 credits + HomeCaring Periods; 2,080 for the full rate).

Ireland: list the social welfare payments and tax credits a household may get (Child Benefit, New Baby Grant, Working Family Payment, Maternity Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, State Pension, Fuel Allowance, Rent Tax Credit) with estimated amounts, using official 2026/2027 rates.

Ireland: compare where a lump sum ends up after tax over a number of years: State Savings (tax-free), a bank deposit (DIRT 33%), ETFs (exit tax with 8-year deemed disposal), shares (CGT 31%) and a pension (tax relief). Growth for market products is an assumption you set.

Ireland: estimate the Working Family Payment (weekly, tax-free) for a family, from gross pay, number of children and hours worked, using the official income limits (2026, and +€30 from January 2027) and the 60% rule.

What a trip to Japan costs from the US, UK, Canada, Australia or Ireland, in the traveller's currency and in yen: return flights, rooms, daily spending, an optional Japan Rail Pass at the official price, the ¥1,000 departure tax and the Tokyo and Kyoto accommodation taxes (official amounts), at the dated ECB exchange rate. Flights, rooms and daily spending are estimates the caller can override. Use this when someone asks how much a Japan trip costs.

Netherlands: what the 30% ruling (expat scheme) saves in income tax for 2026, or 2027 when the maximum falls to 27% (Tax Plan 2025). Allowance = the smallest of 30%/27% of salary, salary minus the norm (2026: €48,013, or €36,497 under 30 with a master's; 2027 new rulings €52,521 in 2026 prices), and the WNT cap (€78,600 in 2026; €73,710 in 2027). Rulings that started before 2024 keep 30%; 2024 starters move to 27% with the old norm. Income tax from the Belastingdienst 2026 box 1 tables with the general and labour tax credits (2027 uses the 2026 tables). Use this when someone asks how much the 30% ruling is worth or whether they qualify.

Netherlands: box 3 tax (income from savings and investments) for tax year 2026 as the Belastingdienst calculates it on the provisional assessment (transitional legislation): notional returns 1.28% on bank balances (provisional), 6.00% on investments and other assets, 2.70% on debts above €3,800 per person; tax-free allowance €59,357 per person (€118,714 for tax partners, base divisible in any proportion); green investments exempt up to €26,715 per person; tax 36%. Returns the taxable return, capital yield tax base, base above the allowance, share %, box 3 income and tax per person, rounded as in the Belastingdienst examples. Notional calculation only (not the actual-return counter-evidence route); 2027 not included (Tax Plan 2027 before parliament). Use this when someone asks how much box 3 tax they pay in the Netherlands for 2026.

New Zealand: KiwiSaver balance at 65 under the 2026 rules (default and employer minimum 3.5%, 4% from April 2028; government contribution 25c per $1 up to $260.72; ESCT on employer contributions; PIR tax on returns). Returns are an assumption you set.

How a couple can share the household bills while one parent is on parental leave: the parent on leave’s statutory pay (UK SMP, Ireland Maternity Benefit, Canada EI, Quebec QPIP, Australia Parental Leave Pay or a US state’s paid leave; us-XX = unpaid FMLA) plus any employer top-up, averaged per month before tax, against the partner’s pay; the bills split 50/50, by income during leave, or so both keep the same money; savings the parent on leave would use under 50/50; and the pension contributions they miss.

Statutory parental leave pay for a birth parent and the income gap against normal pay (gross, before tax) in the UK (Statutory Maternity Pay), Ireland (Maternity Benefit), Canada (EI), Quebec (QPIP), Australia (Parental Leave Pay) or a US state’s paid family and medical leave (us-CA, us-NY, us-NJ, us-WA, us-MA and the rest; us-XX = no state program, FMLA unpaid), with an optional employer top-up. Use this for a quick cross-country comparison of one parent’s gross leave pay; for detailed national rules use the country tools (canada_ei_maternity_parental, quebec_qpip, ireland_maternity_leave_pay, uk_statutory_maternity_pay, australia_parental_leave_pay).

What a dog or cat costs (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand): first-year cost (adoption, setup, training), yearly running costs (food by care level, vet, insurance, grooming, toys, boarding, dog walker, an emergency vet reserve) and the lifetime total for the breed size's typical lifespan. Inputs left out use the country defaults from the calculator page. Use this when someone asks what a pet costs per year or over its life.

Quebec: QPIP (RQAP) parental insurance for 2026 for both parents: basic or special plan, birth or adoption, earnings up to $103,000, weekly amounts and totals, with the shareable weeks split between parents. Use this for Quebec residents (not EI); for a one-line gross comparison across countries use parental_leave_income_gap.

What working from home saves (or costs) in a year compared with commuting: car or transit commuting costs, lunches and work clothes saved, less extra home utilities, internet and equipment, and any pay cut. Driving cost uses the country's official per-mile or per-km rate. Inputs left out use the country defaults from the calculator page. Use this when someone asks how much remote work saves or whether a pay cut to work remotely is worth it.

Renting vs buying a home (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland or New Zealand): the net cost of each over the years you stay, counting the deposit's lost investment return, buying and selling costs, mortgage interest, property tax, maintenance, price growth and rent increases; returns which is cheaper and by how much, and the break-even year. Inputs left out use that country's defaults (the calculator page's example). Use this when someone asks whether to rent or buy, or when buying beats renting.

What negotiating a higher starting salary is worth over a career: the extra pay over the years with the same yearly raises (each raise builds on the higher base), plus what saving a share of the difference grows to. Inputs left out use the country defaults from the calculator page. Use this when someone asks whether it is worth negotiating a job offer, or what a few thousand more is worth long term.

Scotland: Land and Buildings Transaction Tax at 2026/27 rates, band by band, with first-time buyer relief (nil band to £175,000) or the 8% Additional Dwelling Supplement.

UK: can I retire at 60 with £300k (or any age and pot)? Year by year to 95 for one person or a couple, on the 2027-28 rules after Budget 2026: pay and pension contributions until retirement, pots drawn from the normal minimum pension age (55, 57 from 6 April 2028) with 25% tax-free cash within the £268,275 Lump Sum Allowance and the rest drawn as taxable income, defined benefit pensions, the new State Pension from the State Pension age by date of birth (full £250.70 a week from April 2027), savings, a spending target in today’s money, and income tax (personal allowance tapered over £100,000; England/Wales/NI or Scottish bands, frozen to 2030-31) and National Insurance on pay. Growth and inflation are assumptions. Returns the age the money lasts to, bridge years, wealth at retirement, the spending that lasts to 95, a retire-at-60/62/65 comparison and key years in today’s money.

UK care home fees, 2026/27, by nation (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): weeks until savings (and the home after the 12-week disregard) fall to the upper capital limit (£23,250 England/NI, £36,750 Scotland, £50,000 Wales) and the council helps; then tariff income (£1 a week per £250 between the limits), the person’s weekly contribution (income + tariff − personal allowance), the council’s share and any family top-up above the council rate; NHS-funded nursing care (£267.68 England, £100 NI) and Scotland’s free personal (£260.30) and nursing (£117.10) care.

UK Self Assessment: what is due on 31 January (balancing payment for the year just ended + first payment on account for the next) and 31 July (second payment on account). Each payment on account is half of the previous year's Self Assessment bill (income tax + Class 4 NI); none if that bill was under £1,000 or more than 80% of the tax was taken at source; capital gains tax and student loan go in the balancing payment only (gov.uk). Reproduces the gov.uk worked example. Use this when someone asks how much Self Assessment tax they pay in January or July.

UK: is my pension pot enough? One person living on a defined contribution pot in drawdown (plus ISAs, the new State Pension and any DB pension), year by year from tax year 2027-28 to an end age. Taxes every withdrawal with UK income tax (England, Wales and NI or Scotland; personal allowance £12,570 tapered above £100,000; thresholds frozen to 2030-31 by Finance Act 2026 s.10, then raised with inflation): 25% tax-free up to the £268,275 Lump Sum Allowance, either taken up front (optionally also drawing taxable income up to the personal allowance each year) or as 25% of each UFPLS (HMRC PTM063300). State Pension from the age set by date of birth (full rate £250.70 a week from April 2027), rising with inflation; minimum pension age 55, 57 from 6 April 2028. Returns the age the money runs out at a steady return (null = lasts), the highest spending that lasts to the end age, a seeded Monte Carlo (1,000 lognormal return paths centred on the return, with the volatility given): the chance the spending lasts, the run-out age in the worst 10% of paths and the spending that lasts in 90% of paths; the tax-free cash taken, first-year and lifetime income tax, and the three tax-free-cash methods compared. Return, inflation and volatility are the user’s assumptions. Use this when someone in the UK asks whether their pension pot is enough to retire, how long drawdown will last, how much they can safely withdraw, or whether to take the 25% tax-free cash up front or as UFPLS.

UK: Stamp Duty Land Tax for England and Northern Ireland at 2026/27 rates, band by band: standard, first-time buyer relief (nil to £300,000, up to £500,000) or additional property (+5% on every band), plus the 2% non-resident surcharge.

England and Northern Ireland: Stamp Duty Land Tax on a purchase completed on any date from 1 December 2003 to today, using the rates in force that day (slab system before 4 December 2014, slices after; first-time buyer relief from 22 November 2017; 3% then 5% higher rates for additional homes; 2% non-resident surcharge from 1 April 2021). Returns the GOV.UK page for that period.

UK: Statutory Maternity Pay (2026/27): 90% of average weekly pay for 6 weeks, then £194.32 or 90% if lower for 33 weeks; average pay must be at least £129 a week. Optional employer scheme (full-pay weeks, then half pay plus SMP), and the gap against normal pay before tax.

UK State Pension for people living outside the UK: which gap years (2020–21 to 2026–27) can still be filled with voluntary National Insurance after the 6 April 2026 change, at Class 2 (£3.65/wk, years to 2025–26 only) or Class 3 (£18.40/wk), each year’s cost and 5 April deadline, and the State Pension gain (1/35 of £241.30 a week per year, up to 35 years) with payback.

US, tax year 2026: whether a dependent care FSA (limit $7,500 a household, employer money included) or the child and dependent care credit (50% of up to $3,000 / $6,000 of care costs, phasing to 35% from $15,000 of AGI and to 20% above $75,000, $150,000 joint) saves more, and the FSA amount that saves the most. Federal tax on the 2026 tables with the standard deduction, payroll tax (FICA) and a flat state rate; the credit is limited to the federal tax owed and to the lower earner’s pay.

US divorce, tax year 2026: the after-tax value of each asset for the spouse who receives it (transfers are tax-free under 26 U.S.C. 1041 but the receiver keeps the cost basis), with long-term capital gains at the 2026 0/15/20% thresholds and 3.8% NIIT, the $250,000 home sale exclusion (section 121) and selling costs, a 401(k) cashed out under a QDRO (income tax, no 10%) or kept invested (at a retirement tax rate), IRAs (10% if cashed out before 59½), Roth, cash and debts; returns each spouse’s share on paper and after tax and the cash payment that reaches the agreed share.

US nursing-home Medicaid, 2026: savings above the state asset limit (the spend-down), what a spouse at home keeps (CSRA $32,532-$162,660 by the state rule) and their monthly income allowance (MMMNA $2,705-$4,066.50), months the savings pay for care, the look-back penalty (gifts ÷ the state penalty divisor, part months kept), the month Medicaid starts and what the person pays on Medicaid (income less the personal needs allowance, spouse allowance and premiums). State figures are each state’s own (marked official or check); where a state figure was not found, the result says so and the caller can pass it.

US: a defined benefit pension’s lump sum offer against its monthly payments. Returns the interest rate the pension is paying (the discount rate at which the monthly payments, each weighted by the chance of being alive from the SSA 2023 period life table used in the 2026 Trustees Report, equal the lump sum; also the rate if you live exactly to life expectancy), the pension’s value at the user’s expected return, the plain break-even age, the age the lump sum runs out paying the same monthly amount at that return (the break-even once growth counts), life expectancy, the chance of being alive at each age, the payment’s buying power at life expectancy after inflation, and the PBGC maximum monthly guarantee at the start age (2026 and 2027 tables). Supports single life or joint and survivor (spouse age, survivor %) and a yearly COLA; return and inflation are the user’s assumptions; before tax. Use this when someone asks whether to take a pension lump sum or the monthly pension, what interest rate their pension is paying, or the break-even age of a lump sum offer.

Wales: Land Transaction Tax at 2026/27 rates, band by band (nil band £225,000 for everyone; no first-time buyer relief) or the higher rates for additional properties.

Estimated wedding cost by country (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand): venue, catering, photography, music, flowers, attire, stationery, officiant, transport and extras for a guest count, style, season, day and region, with the cost per guest and a contingency buffer. Base costs are calibrated to each country's largest wedding survey (see the page). Use this when someone asks what a wedding costs or how many guests a budget allows.