Job Loss Runway Calculator: Where You Stand, and What's Next
A layoff replaces a steady paycheck with an open question: how much time is actually there. Answering four quick questions below turns that into a starting point, and a short list of what to focus on first, instead of a vague feeling of uncertainty.
Job loss runway check
Answer a few quick questions about your situation to see where you stand and what to focus on next.
How would you describe your savings and any severance right now?
Your answers are saved in this browser only, so you can pick up where you left off if you leave and come back, and are cleared once your result is shown. In the MoneyFlow app, your real Safe-to-Spend and net worth numbers stay current automatically as your situation actually changes.
Why a score, not just a bank balance
A savings total on its own doesn't say much without knowing what it needs to cover and for how long. Weighing it alongside benefit status, job search confidence, and how much room there is to cut expenses gives a fuller picture than the balance alone, and points toward what actually needs attention first.
A side hustle doesn't need to replace your old income
Any income that offsets part of your essential expenses reduces what savings need to cover each month, even when it's far short of a full replacement income. The tool above notes this once toggled on, since it changes what's worth prioritizing alongside the job search itself.
If you're also considering a new direction
Some job losses are also a natural point to reconsider the field itself, not just find the same role somewhere else. Tech, a trade, freelancing, and plenty of other directions can all be reasonable starting points depending on your background and what you actually want next, and there's no single right one. Toggling that option in the calculator lays out a few broad categories to think about, not a recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
How is the score calculated?+
Four quick questions, savings cushion, unemployment benefit status, confidence about finding work, and room to cut expenses, each add points based on the option you pick. The total maps to one of four tiers, from "Act quickly this week" to "Strong position," each with next steps that fit where you actually are.
Why choices instead of typing in exact numbers?+
Right after a layoff, most people don't have exact figures memorized, and typing in guesses gives a false sense of precision. Selecting the option that's closest to your situation gets to something useful faster, without needing statements pulled up first.
Should I withdraw from my 401(k) or IRA if my score is low?+
That's a real tradeoff to weigh, not something with one right answer - withdrawing before 59½ typically means income tax plus an early-withdrawal penalty. Most people treat retirement savings as a last resort, which is part of why a thin cushion pulls the score down rather than being solved by it.
Is this tool free?+
Yes, no sign-up required. Your answers stay in your browser and aren't stored anywhere.
For the full first-steps checklist, unemployment, health insurance, and what to do in the first 48 hours, see I Lost My Job, Now What?, or track your full net worth once things stabilize.
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