Job Loss Runway Calculator

Lost your job or thinking about quitting? Find out exactly how many months your savings will last, when your money runs out, and the deadline you need to find work by.

Liquid Savings ($)

Checking, savings, money market accounts

Monthly Expenses ($)

Rent, food, utilities, insurance, subscriptions

Severance Pay ($)

Lump sum from employer, if any

Monthly Unemployment Benefits ($)

Check your state — avg is $400-$600/week

Savings APY (%)

High-yield savings accounts are 4-5% in 2026

Monthly Expense Cuts ($)

How much you could realistically cut if needed

How Long Can You Live Off Your Savings After Losing a Job?

Losing a job — whether through a layoff, resignation, or termination — immediately raises one urgent question: how long do I have? Your financial runway is the number of months your liquid savings can cover your living expenses before you run out of money. This calculator gives you a precise answer by factoring in your savings, severance pay, unemployment benefits, interest earned on your savings, and any expense cuts you can make.

What Counts as Liquid Savings?

Liquid savings are funds you can access immediately without penalties or tax consequences. This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and cash. Do not include retirement accounts (401k, IRA) in this number — early withdrawals carry a 10% penalty plus income taxes and should be a last resort.

Should You File for Unemployment?

Yes — always file for unemployment benefits as soon as possible after losing your job. Benefits vary by state but typically replace 40-50% of your previous wages up to a weekly cap. In most states you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks. Filing immediately ensures you don't lose any eligible weeks. The average weekly unemployment benefit in the US is around $400-$600, which can add several months to your runway.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your total liquid savings — checking, savings, and money market balances you can access immediately.

Enter your total monthly expenses including rent/mortgage, food, utilities, insurance, subscriptions, and loan payments.

Add any severance pay you received — this is treated as a lump sum added to your starting balance.

Enter your expected monthly unemployment benefit to see how much it extends your runway.

Enter your savings APY — moving money to a high-yield savings account at 4-5% can meaningfully extend your runway.

Enter any monthly expenses you could realistically cut to see how belt-tightening extends your timeline.

How Much Runway Do You Need?

1-3 months: Urgent — begin your job search immediately and consider cutting expenses aggressively.

3-6 months: Manageable — you have time for a focused job search but shouldn't be selective.

6-12 months: Comfortable — enough time to find the right role without desperation.

12+ months: Strong position — you have the leverage to be selective and negotiate.

This calculator is for general planning purposes only and does not account for all financial situations. Consider consulting a financial advisor for personalized guidance during a job transition.

Embed This Calculator on Your Site

Want to add this Job Loss Runway Calculator to your website? Copy the snippet below and paste it into your page. URL parameters will prefill the calculator for your users.

<iframe
  src="https://tangibill.net/embed/job-loss-runway?liquidSavings=15000&monthlyExpenses=3500&severancePay=0&monthlyUnemployment=0&savingsApy=4.5&canCutExpenses=0"
  width="100%"
  height="700"
  style="border:0;"
  title="Job Loss Runway Calculator"
  loading="lazy">
</iframe>

Adjust the URL parameters to prefill the calculator for your users.