BenchLab Benchmark Dashboard
Explore 3 interactive modules below to analyze your income, wealth, and optimal asset allocation
Calculating benchmarks...
Income Calculation Standards & Inclusions Guide
To ensure rigorous alignment with U.S. Census Bureau (CPS ASEC) demographic standards, aggregate all pre-tax cash income streams across resident household members:
Gross pre-tax wages, regular salaries, hourly compensation, and overtime pay across all contributing adult household residents.
Annual performance bonuses, commissions, vested equity (RSUs/stock compensation), and 1099 independent contractor earnings.
Net operational cash flow from residential rental units, commercial leasing, pass-through entities, and partnership profits.
Taxable dividends, fixed-income yields, realized distributions, pension disbursements, annuities, and retirement withdrawals.
U.S. Household Income Distribution Curve
Your position along the household income probability density curve. Hover over the chart to inspect details.
Percentile Benchmarks Comparison
Net Worth Estimator & Balance Sheet Calculator
Assets (+)
Liabilities (-)
U.S. Net Worth Distribution Curve
Your position along the household wealth distribution curve. Hover over the chart to inspect details.
Wealth Benchmarks Comparison
Overall Wealth Philosophy & Strategy
2026 EngineSelect your target wealth trajectory to calibrate your accumulation priorities, conversion timing, and decumulation roadmap.
Die With Zero
Experience & Vitality Maximizer
Systematically spend down wealth during peak vitality years. Front-load financial gifts to heirs in their 20s and 30s when utility is highest.
Dynasty Roth
Intergenerational Wealth Pass-Down
Maximize permanent tax-free compound growth. Maximize conversions to leave heirs 100% income-tax-free Roth assets under the SECURE Act.
The Decumulation & Vitality Framework
Optimizes for lifetime utility by converting income into peak experiences during prime vitality years while methodically transferring wealth to heirs when it creates maximal life impact.
Max out core tax-advantaged accounts while investing in health and experiences that produce compounding memory dividends.
Front-load financial support to heirs in their 20s and 30s when utility is highest, rather than delaying inheritances to old age.
Systematically draw down pre-tax and taxable balances to target terminal reserves, avoiding accidental wealth over-accumulation.
The Generational Tax-Free Compounder
Engineered to create permanent, multi-generational tax immunity by exploiting Roth account architectures, gap-year bracket conversions, and estate preservation rules.
Exploit Backdoor and Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k) channels to funnel up to $72,000 annually into permanent tax-free buckets.
Execute aggressive Roth conversions during low-income transition years between retirement and age 73 RMD triggers.
Pass 100% income-tax-free Roth assets to beneficiaries, unlocking a 10-year post-death tax-free compound growth shield.
Account Access & Qualification Matrix
Select which tax-advantaged account vehicles you and your spouse have access to. Unchecking an account automatically recalibrates your waterfall capacity.
| Account Vehicle | Your Qualification Status | Spouse | 2026 Statutory Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Workplace 401(k) / 403(b)
Pre-tax elective salary deferrals
|
$24,500 (Single) | ||
|
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Triple-tax-shield healthcare bucket (IRC §223)
|
$4,400 (Self-Only HDHP) | ||
|
Roth IRA / Backdoor Roth
Individual tax-free retirement accounts
|
$7,500 (Single) | ||
|
Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k)
After-tax non-Roth 401(k) conversion
|
Up to $47,500 (Single) | ||
|
Minor / College 529 Plan
Education savings with $35k Roth IRA rollover
|
$19,000 gift exclusion benchmark |
Dynamic Wealth Building Waterfall
Tier 1: 401(k) Employer Match
Cap: ~4% of salaryCapture your employer matching dollars in full before deploying capital anywhere else. This delivers an immediate, risk-free 50% to 100% instant return that outpaces any market benchmark.
Tier 2: Health Savings Account (HSA)
2026 Cap: $4,400 (Single)Deploy capital into the tax code's only triple-tax shield: 100% tax-deductible in, tax-free growth, and 100% tax-free withdrawals for healthcare. Under IRC §223, married couples share a single $8,750 Family HDHP cap across the entire household (rather than 2x separate individual accounts).
Tier 3: Roth or Traditional IRAs
2026 Cap: $15,000 ($7,500 × 2)Unlock complete portfolio autonomy with zero administrative plan drag and rock-bottom expense ratios. High earners execute the Backdoor Roth mechanism to legally bypass statutory income thresholds.
Tier 4: 401(k) Elective Deferral Remainder
2026 Cap: $24,500Max out the full statutory salary deferral ($24,500 per earner in 2026) to shield your top marginal income brackets from federal and state ordinary income taxation today.
Tier 5: Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k)
2026 Cap: Up to $47,500Deploy after-tax contributions up to the master §415(c) statutory limit ($72,000 in 2026) with automated in-plan Roth conversion for massive, compounding tax-free velocity.
Tier 6: 529 College Savings & Roth Bridge
Benchmark: $10,000Generate tax-free compounding for educational milestones. SECURE 2.0 unlocks unprecedented flexibility by permitting up to $35,000 of leftover balances to roll penalty-free into the beneficiary's Roth IRA.
Tier 7: 530A Youth Investment Account
2026 Cap: $5,000 / childCatalyze early compounding in diversified index fund trusts ($5,000 annual cap). Assets automatically roll into a Traditional IRA in the beneficiary's name at age 18, establishing an unshakeable base.
Tier 8: Taxable Brokerage & Discretionary Capital
No Annual LimitDeploy uncapped surplus liquidity into high-efficiency index funds and municipal assets. Enjoy unrestricted liquidity, full withdrawal freedom, and preferential long-term capital gains tax rates.
2026 Reference Catalogs & Specialized Account Guide
Comprehensive reference data on statutory IRS limits, minor account hierarchies, and self-employed tax shelters.
| Tier | Account Vehicle | 2026 Statutory Limit | Tax Advantage & Mechanics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 401(k) Employer Match | Varies by employer | Immediate 50%–100% guaranteed return on matched payroll dollars. |
| 2 | Family HSA | $8,750 ($4,400 single) | Triple-tax advantaged (tax-deductible in, tax-free growth, tax-free medical out). |
| 3 | Roth or Traditional IRAs | $15,000 ($7,500 × 2) | Tax-advantaged compounding; access to broad, low-cost index funds. |
| 4 | 401(k) Full Deferral | $24,500 / earner | Reduces current-year gross ordinary taxable income. |
| 5 | Mega Backdoor Roth | Up to $47,500 / earner | After-tax non-Roth conversion up to overall §415(c) $72,000 cap. |
| 6 | 529 College Savings | $19,000 gift exclusion | Tax-free education growth; up to $35k rolls into child's Roth IRA. |
| 7 | 530A Trump Account | $5,000 / beneficiary | Tax-deferred growth; converts to Traditional IRA at age 18. |
| 8 | Taxable Brokerage | No ceiling | Uncapped liquidity; qualified dividends and long-term capital gains rates. |
Specialized & Self-Employed Tax Shelters
SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension)
Self-Employed / Sole Proprietors| 2026 Limit | Up to 25% of net profit (max $72,000) |
| Tax Advantage | Immediate pre-tax ordinary income reduction |
| Compliance | Zero annual Form 5500 filing burden |
Solo 401(k) / Individual 401(k)
Owner-Only Businesses| 2026 Limit | $24,500 employee + 25% profit share (max $72,000) |
| Tax Advantage | Pre-tax or Roth elective deferrals + Mega Backdoor |
| Eligibility | No full-time non-owner W-2 employees |
Governmental 457(b) Plan
Municipal, State & Public Safety| 2026 Limit | $24,500 distinct cap (stacks with 403b/401k) |
| Tax Advantage | Pre-tax deferral with 0% early withdrawal penalty |
| Liquidity | Immediate penalty-free access upon separation |
Defined Benefit & Cash Balance Plans
High-Income Partners & Physicians| 2026 Limit | Actuarially structured ($100,000 to $350,000+) |
| Tax Advantage | Massive top-bracket ordinary tax reduction |
| Stacking | Layers directly on top of standard 401(k) plans |
Educational Model Notice
This model is provided for demographic and financial modeling education. It is not professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or fiduciary advisor before executing complex tax-shelter strategies.