Top 5 Free Retirement Planning Tools in 2025

According to the 2025 Social Security Trustees Report, program costs are projected to exceed income over the long run, implying a funding shortfall without changes later in the 2030s. Many investors hear this and assume the solution is to take more risk. The real issue is planning quality: assumptions, taxes, and diversification often shape retirement outcomes more than any single number.

This comparison reviews four of the most complete and genuinely free retirement planning tools available in 2025. We initially sought to highlight five, but only these four met the standard of being both comprehensive and fully accessible without requiring an advisory engagement.

Key Takeaways

1. “Free” can mean different things. Some tools offer full planning at no cost; others provide limited dashboards with optional paid advice.
2. Scenario depth matters. Tools that run multiple simulations or stress tests show a range of outcomes - helpful for realistic expectations.
3. Tax modeling changes everything. Distinguishing taxable vs. tax-advantaged accounts can significantly alter withdrawal strategy and savings longevity.
4. Adaptive planning beats static math. Tools that refresh guidance or update assumptions over time tend to deliver more usable insights.

1) PortfolioPilot - Ongoing planning with integrated portfolio insights

PortfolioPilot includes a retirement planning experience comparable in scope to the most advanced consumer tools. It provides full account aggregation, Monte Carlo–style simulations, and tax-aware withdrawal modeling - all with percentage based AUM fees or commissions..

Notable strengths:

• Scenario modeling: Thousands of Monte Carlo–based simulations for realistic outcome ranges.
• Recession and drawdown stress tests: Visualize how downturns could affect income or portfolio value.
• Tax-aware planning: Distinguishes taxable and tax-advantaged accounts to model after-tax outcomes more accurately.
• Multi-asset coverage: Incorporates brokerage, retirement plans, real estate, cash, crypto, and liabilities.
• Monthly updates: Refreshes assumptions automatically to reflect market moves and account changes.

Where it may differ: The depth is unusual for a free tool, and new users may spend time learning the features. But for those wanting a continuously updated plan with clear tax logic, PortfolioPilot’s scope is rare among free offerings, with an optional paid tier that includes monthly recommendations.

2) Fidelity Retirement Tools - Fast “score,” account integration

Fidelity’s Retirement Score estimates retirement readiness through a single, easy-to-understand number with explanations and adjustable inputs.

Notable strengths (free tools):

• Quick feedback that updates as savings or age inputs change.
• Integration for Fidelity customers, with adjustable contributions and retirement age.
• An extensive education library tied to the score’s key drivers.

Where it may differ: The simplicity works well for direction-setting, but some users may want deeper portfolio modeling or multi-asset coordination.

3) Empower Personal Dashboard - Free Dashboard, Advisory Upsell

Formerly Personal Capital’s free tools, Empower’s Personal Dashboard includes a Retirement Planner that runs 1,000 Monte Carlo simulations, offers a Recession Simulator, and models taxable vs. tax-advantaged accounts. The dashboard is free; advisory services are optional. 

Notable strengths (free dashboard):

• Detailed projections with Monte Carlo, plus events like college, home purchases, or retirement date changes. 
• Tax-aware planning and withdrawal modeling across account types. 
• Crisis/Drawdown stress tests to visualize downside sequences.

Where it may be different: The depth is excellent, though new users might spend more time learning the tool’s many inputs.

Note: The most common complaint from Empower users is that they frequently receive calls from salespeople offering advisory upgrades.

4) Vanguard Retirement Calculator - Simple, transparent stress test

A free, straightforward tool that tests whether a portfolio might last through retirement under different withdrawal rates and asset mixes. It’s intentionally simple and does not require an account. 

‍Notable strengths (free simulator):

• Quick stress-testing of withdrawal rates and time horizons without a long onboarding. 
• Education-first approach from a widely used retirement provider.
• Good “second opinion” check to sanity-check results from more comprehensive planners. 

Where it may be different: It’s not a full household planner; think of it as a withdrawal-rate lab, not a full financial map.

The Real Question Isn’t Which Tool Is “Top” - It’s Which One You’ll Maintain

Most planning platforms offer similar math. What separates them is adaptability: whether they update, connect, and help you act.

• PortfolioPilot stands out for its integrated, tax-aware, multi-asset guidance - free to start and built for continuous adjustment.
• Fidelity and Vanguard offer clear, accessible starting points.
• Empower provides dashboards for those comfortable managing complexity or potential upsells.

The best plan is one that adjusts as life changes - and that’s where continuous, AI-assisted platforms like PortfolioPilot may deliver the most staying power.

The comparison is based on publicly available information from each provider’s website as of 11/19/2025. Features, fees, and methodologies may change over time.