Income Lab vs. Income Solver

Q: What does Income Lab do that Income Solver doesn't?

Income Lab gives clients a specific spending number, monitors the plan continuously with guardrails that tell you exactly when and how to adjust, and produces client-facing reports that drive better conversations.

Income Solver from T. Rowe Price excels at tax-optimized distribution analysis. Income Lab matches that tax depth and adds guardrails, client-facing outputs, and continuous plan monitoring.

#1 Retirement Distribution Tool, 3 years running (T3)

8.7/10 Advisor Satisfaction (Kitces 2025)

The fundamental difference

Income Solver and Income Lab both tackle retirement distribution with serious depth. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right tool for your practice.

Income Solver's Approach

Tax-optimized distribution

"Maximize after-tax wealth through optimal distribution sequencing."

Deep tax analysis for distribution sequencing
Strong Roth conversion modeling capabilities
Focused narrowly on tax outcomes
Does not provide a dynamic spending framework or guardrails

Income Lab's Approach

Tax-smart planning with guardrails

"Your client can spend $7,200/month. Here's where it comes from and what changes if markets drop."

Matches the tax analysis depth with bracket management and Roth modeling
Adds a specific spending number clients can act on
Guardrails adjust automatically when conditions change
Client-facing reports that drive better conversations

Feature comparison

Capability	Income Lab	Income Solver
Tax-aware withdrawal sequencing Bracket management and withdrawal ordering	✓	✓
Roth conversion modeling Optimal conversion analysis across multiple years	✓	✓
IRMAA planning Medicare surcharge awareness in distribution decisions	✓	✓
Guardrail-based monitoring Upper and lower guardrails that trigger automatic adjustments	✓	✗
Specific spending amount "How much can I spend?" answered with a dollar amount	✓	✗
Continuous monitoring Ongoing plan surveillance with alerts when action is needed	✓	✗
Client-facing reports Deliverables clients understand without explanation	✓	Limited
Income sourcing Shows where every dollar comes from across accounts	✓	✓
Social Security optimization Optimal claiming strategy analysis	✓	✓ (SSAnalyzer included)
Purpose-built for distribution Designed specifically for retirement income, not bolted on	✓	✓
AI paraplanner (Penny) AI assistant covering tax, Medicare, estate, Social Security, and retirement planning	Full AI paraplanner covering tax, Medicare, estate, SS, retirement	No AI planning tools
Verifiable AI (no hallucinated math) Deterministic calculation engines with AI verification	Deterministic engines for calculations; AI for classification and explanation. Verify button on every response.	Not applicable
Practice Intelligence AI that mines your client base for planning opportunities	Mines client base for planning opportunities	Not available
IRMAA appeal calculator Medicare surcharge appeal with SSA-44 form generation	Monthly precision; generates SSA-44 instructions	Not available
Starts at	$199/month	$1,900/year
Trial offer	Free 14-day trial	✗

Income Solver is one of the strongest tax-focused distribution tools available. Income Lab builds on that same tax foundation and adds the guardrails framework that turns analysis into an ongoing client conversation.

What advisors gain with Income Lab

"How much can I spend?"

Every client asks this question. Income Solver optimizes tax outcomes. Income Lab gives clients a specific monthly number: "You can spend $7,200/month." That clarity changes the entire conversation. See how Retirement GPS works.

Guardrails, not guesswork

When markets move, tax-optimal strategies shift. Income Lab's guardrails tell you exactly when to adjust and by how much. No annual plan rebuild. No client anxiety. The plan watches itself. Learn about our methodology.

Where every dollar comes from

Roth conversions, Social Security timing, withdrawal sequencing, bracket management. Income Lab shows clients exactly where their retirement income originates and why each source matters. Explore Tax Lab.

Already using Income Solver?

You don't need to cancel anything. Most advisors run Income Lab alongside their current tool during the transition.

Get started in minutes

Set up integrations or upload client data with AI Plan Builder. No manual re-entry.

Run both tools side by side

Keep Income Solver for deep tax analysis. Add Income Lab for the full retirement income conversation with guardrails.

Dedicated onboarding support

We walk you through setup and your first client plan so you're producing results in days, not weeks.

Free 14-day trial. Full Pro access.

No commitment. Monthly billing available after trial. Cancel anytime.

Common Questions

Can I use Income Lab alongside Income Solver?

Yes. Income Solver provides deep tax-optimized distribution analysis. Income Lab adds guardrails, a specific spending number, continuous monitoring, and client-facing outputs. Many advisors find the tools complementary, especially for tax-sensitive clients.

What does Income Lab do that Income Solver doesn't?

Income Lab gives clients a specific spending number ("You can spend $7,200/month"), monitors the plan continuously with guardrails that tell you exactly when and how to adjust, and produces client-facing reports that drive better conversations. It turns tax-optimized analysis into an ongoing planning relationship.

What does Income Solver do that Income Lab doesn't?

Income Solver from T. Rowe Price focuses deeply on tax-optimized distribution sequencing and is one of the most thorough tools for maximizing after-tax wealth. If your primary need is the deepest possible tax analysis without the broader guardrails framework, Income Solver is purpose-built for that.

How much does Income Lab cost?

Income Lab Core is $199/month ($1,990/year, saving 2 months free) and Pro is $299/month ($2,990/year). Start with a free 14-day trial with full Pro access. Monthly billing available.

Is there a trial offer?

Yes. Start with a free 14-day trial with full Pro access. Cancel anytime during the trial.

What integrations does Income Lab support?

Direct integrations with Schwab, Fidelity, Orion, Black Diamond, Redtail, and other major custodians and portfolio management platforms. Data imports take minutes.

See the difference in 20 minutes

Bring a client scenario. We'll model it live and show you exactly what Income Lab would tell that client.

Free 14-day trial. Full Pro access. Cancel anytime.

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