Every tool on our Tools & Links page is free and comes from a government agency or nonprofit. This guide explains what each one does, who it suits, what to have ready, and how it fits into a financial plan. TCM Wealth Advisors does not operate these third-party sites. This is general information, not personalized advice.
On this page
Retirement and Social Security
Estimate Your Social Security Benefit
What it does: The Social Security Administration (SSA) Retirement Estimator uses your own earnings record to project benefits at different claiming ages. The Quick Calculator needs no account and gives a rougher estimate.
Best for: Anyone within about ten years of retirement, or anyone deciding when to claim.
Have ready: Your Social Security account, or your birth date and recent earnings for the Quick Calculator.
How it fits a plan: Your claiming age affects lifetime income, spousal and survivor benefits, and how much you draw from savings. Estimates help you compare claiming ages side by side. Open the SSA retirement planning page.
Social Security Calculators
What it does: The SSA calculator page also offers an Online Calculator, where you enter your own earnings history, and tools for spouse, survivor and disability benefits.
Best for: People who want to test scenarios, such as working longer or claiming early.
Have ready: Your yearly earnings, which you can copy from your Social Security statement.
How it fits a plan: Running a few scenarios shows how much income Social Security can cover, so you know what your savings need to provide. Open the SSA calculators.
Medicare, Taxes and Credit
Medicare.gov: Plans and Enrollment
What it does: Medicare.gov is the official source for enrollment, coverage details and the Plan Finder, which compares Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans by your zip code and prescriptions.
Best for: Anyone turning 65 or helping a parent choose coverage.
Have ready: Your Medicare number if you have one, a list of your medications and doses, and your preferred doctors and pharmacies.
Good to know: Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: three months before your birthday month, the month itself, and three months after. Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, with changes effective January 1. Confirm current dates on Medicare.gov.
How it fits a plan: Health care is one of the largest retirement costs. Premiums, deductibles and drug costs belong in your income plan. Open Medicare.gov.
IRS Tax Withholding Estimator
What it does: The IRS estimator compares your expected tax with what your paychecks or pension payments are withholding, then produces a pre-filled Form W-4 you can give to your employer.
Best for: Anyone with a job change, retirement, a new income source or a large refund or bill last year.
Have ready: A recent pay stub, last year's tax return, and estimates of other income.
Good to know: It asks for no name or Social Security number, and the form goes to your employer, not the IRS. The IRS updates the tool for recent tax law changes, so check that it reflects the current tax year.
How it fits a plan: Right-sized withholding avoids surprise bills and keeps cash flow predictable. Open the IRS estimator.
Free Annual Credit Report
What it does: AnnualCreditReport.com is the federally authorized source for free credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus, now available weekly.
Best for: Everyone, especially before a large purchase, after a data breach, or to spot identity theft.
Have ready: Basic identifying information to verify who you are. Use only the official site, since look-alike sites can charge fees or collect data.
How it fits a plan: Reviewing your reports catches errors and fraud early and keeps borrowing costs low. Open AnnualCreditReport.com.
CFPB Consumer Tools
What it does: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers free guides, calculators and complaint tools on mortgages, student loans, credit cards, scams and more.
Best for: Anyone comparing loans or disputing a problem with a bank or lender.
Have ready: Details of the loan or account you are researching.
How it fits a plan: Debt decisions affect savings and retirement timing, so clear information on terms and rights helps. Availability of individual tools can change. Open the CFPB tools.
Protect Yourself and Plan Ahead
Check Any Advisor (SEC)
What it does: The SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site lets you search any adviser or firm by name. You can view registration status, Form ADV Part 2A and 2B brochures, Form CRS and any disciplinary history.
Best for: Anyone hiring or reviewing a financial professional, including us.
Have ready: The adviser's or firm's name.
How it fits a plan: Knowing how an adviser is paid and whether they have a disciplinary record is the first step in choosing a fiduciary. Open the SEC adviser search.
Ohio Unclaimed Funds Search
What it does: The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds lets you search by name for forgotten accounts, refunds, and similar property held for Ohioans. Searching and claiming are free.
Best for: Ohio residents, including anyone who has moved, changed names or inherited from a relative.
Have ready: Names you have used, past addresses, and proof of identity if you file a claim.
Good to know: Companies that charge 10 to 40 percent to find money for you are unnecessary, since the state process costs nothing.
How it fits a plan: Found money can go straight to savings or debt payoff. Open the Ohio search.
Ohio Advance Directive Forms
What it does: CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, provides free Ohio forms: a Health Care Power of Attorney and a Living Will Declaration.
Best for: Every adult, particularly anyone with a health change, surgery or family concerns.
Have ready: The name of the person you trust to decide for you, and a backup. Follow the signing instructions in the packet.
Good to know: A health care power of attorney covers medical decisions only. It is not a financial power of attorney, which an attorney should prepare.
How it fits a plan: These documents put your wishes in writing, so your family is not guessing in a crisis. Open the Ohio forms.
Questions About Your Situation?
Tools give general numbers. If you want help applying them to your own plan, we are glad to talk.
Last reviewed: November 2026