Career break calculator

Can You Afford To Step Away From Work?

A sabbatical. Time at home with children. A year to care for a parent, to travel or to figure out what's next. Explore what's possible and understand the real cost and trade-offs with this calculator.

01

Your situation

38
$
$

Their income keeps covering part of your household spending.

12 months
3

02

What you have

Savings, checking, brokerage — only what you'd genuinely be willing to spend down. Don't include 401(k)s or IRAs.

$

Not spent during the break — used to show the long-term impact.

$

Rent or mortgage, food, insurance, utilities, gas, child or dependent care, subscriptions, debt payments — what you actually consume. Don't count money you move into savings or investments, but count every other monthly expense.

$

03

What you'd give up

The part people forget to price in.

10% of pay

$1,375/mo, or $16,500/yr

4.0% of pay

Free money: $550/mo. U.S. average is 4.7% of pay.

Your payroll deduction, per month. U.S. average: $120 single, $571 family.

$

Usually the cheapest option, if their plan allows a mid-year add for a qualifying life event.

$

04

What gets cheaper

A break isn't only a cost. Some spending stops.

$1,100/mo
$400/mo

Unlock the calculator

$
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NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC ("NWWP") is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This is an educational tool provided by NWWP only and does not provide legal, tax, investment, or estate planning advice. Results are hypothetical estimates based on the information you provided, are not recommendations, and do not determine whether any strategy is appropriate for you. Financial planning strategies are highly individualized and depend on your financial circumstances, family situation, state law, and tax considerations. Tax laws and other assumptions used in this tool may change over time. Please consult qualified legal, tax, and financial professionals before implementing any strategy discussed.

Uses 2026 federal tax brackets, standard deductions and the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32), the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500, 2026 401(k) limits including age 50+ and age 60-63 catch-ups, KFF 2025 employer premium averages for COBRA, and the 2026 national average benchmark marketplace premium quoted for a 40-year-old. Marketplace subsidy eligibility uses the 2025 federal poverty guidelines, which are the ones that apply to the 2026 plan year; enhanced premium tax credits expired December 31, 2025, so the 400% cliff applies. Taxes assume the break covers a full calendar year, and marketplace eligibility uses income during the break rather than full-year income. This may make a mid-year break look more affordable than it is.