🛟 Layoff Preparedness Tool
Job-Loss Survival Calculator
If your paycheck stopped tomorrow, how long would your money last? Enter your numbers and see your financial runway — with severance and unemployment factored in — plus exactly how much longer it lasts if you cut back to essentials.
💵 What You Have
📉 What You Spend Each Month
💸 Income While You're Out
🛟 Your Financial Runway
How long your money lasts at your current spending after a job loss.
Money lasts about
— months
Emergency-fund benchmark
Savings depletion over time
Current spending
Essentials only
🪂 How to Stretch Your Runway
Concrete moves, ranked by how much time each buys you.
🎯 See your full financial picture
Your runway is one piece. Get a free, no-login snapshot of your overall money health and the next moves that matter most.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many months of expenses should I have saved for a job loss?
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A common guideline is three to six months of essential expenses in an emergency fund. People with less stable income, a single household earner, or a specialized role that takes longer to re-fill often aim for closer to six to twelve months. This calculator shows your runway against that benchmark using your own numbers.
Does severance pay affect unemployment benefits?
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It depends on your state. Some states delay the start of unemployment benefits until a lump-sum severance period is exhausted, some reduce weekly benefits during weeks severance is paid, and others do not count severance at all. Check your state unemployment agency's rules before assuming both will arrive at the same time.
How are unemployment benefits calculated?
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Most states pay a percentage of your prior wages up to a state maximum — typically replacing roughly 30 to 50 percent of previous income — and standard eligibility is often around 26 weeks. Exact amounts, caps, and durations vary widely by state, so use your state unemployment agency's benefit estimator for a precise figure to enter above.
What expenses should I cut first after a layoff?
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Start with discretionary spending: subscriptions, dining out, travel, and non-essential shopping. Keep paying essentials such as housing, utilities, food, insurance, and minimum debt payments. Many lenders and providers offer hardship or forbearance programs — contact them early rather than missing payments, since proactive arrangements protect your credit.
Should I keep contributing to retirement while unemployed?
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During a job loss, preserving cash usually takes priority over new retirement contributions. Pausing contributions to extend your runway is reasonable; avoid early withdrawals from retirement accounts when possible because of taxes and penalties. Resume contributions once your income is stable again.