What this calculator shows you
- Multiple Shock Types
- Test against job loss, medical emergency, divorce, disability, and recession.
- Survival Timeline
- See exactly how many months you could survive each scenario.
- Burn-Down Chart
- Visualize how your accounts would deplete over time.
- Vulnerability Score
- Get an overall resilience rating with specific improvement recommendations.
Why Stress-Test?
Hope is not a strategy. Many people never test their finances against realistic shock scenarios until disaster strikes. Simulating disruptions while you are stable reveals gaps you can fix proactively.
The Major Shocks
Job Loss: 3-12 months of reduced income while searching. Medical Emergency: $10K-$50K unexpected expenses plus recovery time. Divorce: Asset split plus legal costs plus lifestyle adjustments. Recession: Reduced income, portfolio losses, job instability.
Building Resilience
Resilience comes from: Emergency fund (3-6 months minimum), Income diversification, Insurance coverage, Low fixed expenses, Liquid investments, Strong professional network.
Questions people ask
How many months of expenses should I have saved?
3-6 months is the standard advice. But it depends on your situation: stable job and dual income = 3 months might suffice. Variable income or single earner = 6-12 months is safer.
Does insurance really help?
Absolutely. Disability insurance replaces income if you cannot work. Health insurance caps medical costs. Life insurance protects dependents. These reduce the financial impact of many shocks.
What if I fail the stress test?
That is the point—to find out now rather than during a crisis. Prioritize building your emergency fund. Consider increasing insurance coverage. Reduce fixed expenses to extend your runway.
Education only, not personalized financial, tax or investment advice. Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter; real returns vary and losses happen.