Retirement brings many financial questions, and for faithful Christians, one of the most important is: how much to tithe in retirement? After decades of giving from your paycheck, calculating your tithe becomes more complex when you’re living on Social Security, pension payments, IRA withdrawals, and investment income.
The good news is that tithing in retirement doesn’t have to be confusing. Whether you’re already retired or planning ahead, this guide will help you understand how much to tithe in retirement and how to honor God with your finances during this new season of life.
Why Tithing in Retirement Matters
Retirement doesn’t mark the end of your stewardship—it’s simply a new chapter. Your tithe remains an act of worship, gratitude, and trust in God’s provision. Even when you’re no longer earning a traditional salary, you still have income and resources to steward faithfully.
Many retirees wonder if they should continue tithing when living on a fixed income. The short answer is yes—tithing remains a biblical principle regardless of your age or employment status. However, how much to tithe in retirement may look different from your working years, and that’s okay.
The Basic Principle: How Much to Tithe in Retirement
The foundational principle remains the same: a tithe is 10% of your increase or income. But in retirement, you need to carefully define what counts as “income” since you’re drawing from various sources that may include money you’ve already tithed on.
The Golden Rule for Retirement Tithing: Tithe on genuinely new income, but avoid double-tithing on money you’ve already faithfully given from.
This principle protects you from guilt while ensuring you honor God with your actual increase during retirement years.
How Much to Tithe on Social Security
Social Security often becomes a primary income source in retirement, but figuring out how much to tithe in retirement from Social Security benefits requires understanding where that money came from.
The Two-Part Approach:
If You Tithed Faithfully During Your Working Years: Your Social Security benefits come largely from payroll taxes you paid throughout your career—money you already tithed on. In this case, you don’t need to tithe the full 10% again on Social Security payments.
However, Social Security often returns more than you paid in, especially if you live longer or if your spouse receives survivor benefits. Consider tithing on any amount that exceeds your original contributions, though even this is between you and the Lord.
If You Didn’t Tithe During Your Working Years: If you weren’t a believer or didn’t tithe while working, your Social Security represents income you never gave from. In this case, tithing 10% of your monthly Social Security benefit honors the principle of giving from your increase.
Practical Example:
Martha receives $2,000 monthly in Social Security. She tithed faithfully for 40 years while working. She chooses not to tithe on her Social Security since she already gave from those earnings. Instead, she focuses her tithe on other retirement income sources.
John receives $1,800 monthly in Social Security but didn’t tithe during his working years. Now walking with the Lord, he gives $180 per month (10%) from his Social Security as part of his retirement stewardship.
How Much to Tithe on Pension Payments
Determining how much to tithe in retirement from pension income depends on whether those contributions were made pre-tax or post-tax, and whether you tithed on your salary when you were working.
Defined Benefit Pensions:
If you tithed on your full salary while working (and your pension contributions came from that salary), you’ve essentially already tithed on this income. Your pension is a return of money you faithfully stewarded.
Many retirees in this situation choose not to tithe the full 10% on pension payments, or they tithe on any amount that exceeds their contributions plus reasonable growth.
Government or Union Pensions:
Similar principles apply. If mandatory pension contributions came from income you tithed on, you’re not obligated to tithe again on that portion.
Practical Approach:
If uncertain, pray and seek counsel from your pastor. Some retirees choose to tithe a smaller percentage (3-5%) on pension income they previously tithed on, treating it as an offering rather than a full tithe. Others calculate the growth portion of their pension and tithe on that.
How Much to Tithe on 401(k) and IRA Withdrawals
Understanding how much to tithe in retirement from retirement accounts requires knowing whether contributions were made pre-tax or post-tax.
Traditional 401(k) and IRA (Pre-Tax Contributions):
If you made pre-tax contributions to a traditional 401(k) or IRA, you never paid taxes or tithed on that money. When you withdraw funds in retirement, you should tithe 10% because this represents income you’re receiving for the first time.
Example: David withdraws $3,000 monthly from his traditional IRA. Since these were pre-tax contributions, he gives $300 per month as his tithe from this income source.
Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) (Post-Tax Contributions):
Roth accounts are funded with after-tax dollars. If you tithed on your salary before making Roth contributions, you’ve already given from this money. Withdrawals from Roth accounts (including growth) generally don’t require tithing again.
Example: Sarah withdraws $2,000 monthly from her Roth IRA. She tithed on her salary before contributing to this account, so she doesn’t tithe on these withdrawals. However, she uses some of this money for offerings and special giving.
Mixed Situation:
Many retirees have both traditional and Roth accounts. Calculate your tithe separately for each based on whether you’ve previously tithed on those funds. Use our tithe calculator to help with these calculations.
How Much to Tithe on Investment Income
Investment income adds another layer to figuring out how much to tithe in retirement. This includes dividends, interest, capital gains, and rental income.
Dividends and Interest:
These represent genuine increase—your money making more money. Most financial advisors and pastors recommend tithing 10% on dividend and interest income as it’s clearly new income.
Capital Gains:
When you sell investments at a profit, the gain represents income. Many retirees tithe on capital gains, especially on the profit portion of the sale.
Example: You bought stock for $10,000 and sold it for $15,000. The $5,000 gain is income. Tithing $500 honors the increase God provided through your investments.
Rental Income:
If you own rental property, tithe on your net rental income (after expenses like maintenance, property taxes, and mortgage). This represents income generated from your assets.
How Much to Tithe on Part-Time Work or Consulting
Many retirees work part-time, consult, or have side income. This is straightforward: tithe 10% on any wages or business income just as you would during your working years.
Part-time income represents new earnings, not withdrawals from previously taxed or tithed sources. Calculate your tithe using our tithe calculator to see exactly how much to give based on your part-time earnings.
Creating Your Retirement Tithing Strategy
Now that you understand the principles, here’s how to determine how much to tithe in retirement for your specific situation:
Step 1: List All Income Sources
Write down every source of retirement income:
- Social Security
- Pension payments
- Traditional IRA/401(k) withdrawals
- Roth IRA/401(k) withdrawals
- Investment dividends and interest
- Rental income
- Part-time work
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Step 2: Categorize by Tithing Status
For each source, determine:
- Is this income I already tithed on? (Roth accounts, pension from tithed salary)
- Is this pre-tax income I’m receiving now? (Traditional IRA/401(k), most pensions)
- Is this genuinely new income? (Dividends, interest, part-time wages, rental profits)
Step 3: Calculate Your Tithe
- Give 10% on pre-tax retirement account withdrawals
- Give 10% on new income (dividends, interest, wages)
- Pray about Social Security and pension income based on your previous giving history
- Don’t tithe again on Roth withdrawals if you previously tithed
Step 4: Set Up Consistent Giving
Automate your monthly tithe based on your retirement income. Most churches accept automatic transfers, making it easy to give consistently even with variable income sources.
Sample Retirement Tithing Scenarios
Let’s look at complete examples of how much to tithe in retirement:
Scenario 1: Frank and Linda
Monthly Retirement Income:
- Social Security: $3,500 (they tithed faithfully while working)
- Traditional IRA withdrawal: $2,000 (pre-tax contributions)
- Dividend income: $500
- Roth IRA withdrawal: $1,000 (they tithed before contributing)
Their Monthly Tithe:
- Social Security: $0 (already tithed on earnings)
- Traditional IRA: $200 (10% of pre-tax withdrawal)
- Dividends: $50 (10% of new income)
- Roth IRA: $0 (already tithed)
- Total Monthly Tithe: $250
Scenario 2: Robert
Monthly Retirement Income:
- Social Security: $2,200 (he didn’t tithe during working years)
- Pension: $1,800
- Part-time consulting: $1,500
His Monthly Tithe:
- Social Security: $220 (10% since he didn’t previously tithe)
- Pension: $180 (10% – similar situation)
- Consulting: $150 (10% of current earnings)
- Total Monthly Tithe: $550
Scenario 3: Margaret
Monthly Retirement Income:
- Social Security: $1,800 (tithed while working)
- Traditional 401(k): $1,200 (pre-tax)
- Investment interest: $300
- Rental income (net): $800
Her Monthly Tithe:
- Social Security: $0 (previously tithed)
- 401(k) withdrawal: $120 (10% of pre-tax money)
- Interest: $30 (10% of new income)
- Rental income: $80 (10% of net rental profit)
- Total Monthly Tithe: $230
Special Retirement Giving Opportunities
Beyond calculating how much to tithe in retirement, consider these strategic giving opportunities:
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs):
If you’re over 70½, you can give up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualified charity (including your church) without counting it as taxable income. This satisfies your Required Minimum Distribution and allows you to give more effectively.
Donating Appreciated Assets:
Instead of selling stocks and paying capital gains tax, donate appreciated stocks directly to your church. You get a tax deduction for the full market value and avoid capital gains tax, allowing you to give more.
Legacy Giving:
Consider naming your church or ministry in your estate plan. This extends your faithful giving beyond your lifetime.
What If Money Is Tight in Retirement?
Understanding how much to tithe in retirement is important, but what if your fixed income barely covers expenses?
Start Where You Are:
If 10% feels impossible, start with what you can give faithfully—even 3% or 5%. God honors faithful giving from a willing heart more than large amounts given grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Reduce Expenses:
Before reducing your tithe, look for expenses to cut. Many retirees find they can downsize, reduce subscriptions, or make lifestyle adjustments that protect their giving.
Seek Wisdom:
Talk to a financial advisor and your pastor. They may help you see resources you’ve overlooked or suggest ways to structure your withdrawals more efficiently.
Trust God’s Provision:
Malachi 3:10 promises that God will “open the windows of heaven” for faithful givers. Many retirees testify that even on fixed incomes, God provides when they tithe faithfully.
Common Questions About How Much to Tithe in Retirement
Should I tithe on my IRA if I already tithed on my salary?
If your IRA consists of pre-tax contributions (traditional IRA), no—you didn’t tithe on that money yet. Tithe when you withdraw it. If it’s a Roth IRA funded with after-tax dollars you already tithed on, you don’t need to tithe again.
What about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?
RMDs from traditional retirement accounts represent pre-tax income. Tithe 10% on RMDs just as you would on any traditional IRA/401(k) withdrawal.
Can I tithe less in retirement than I did while working?
While the principle is 10%, your actual dollar amount may decrease if your retirement income is lower than your working salary. That’s natural and acceptable. Focus on faithful percentage giving rather than matching previous dollar amounts.
Should I tithe on the sale of my home?
If you sell your primary residence at a profit, consider tithing on the portion that exceeds your cost basis and any tax exemptions. If you’re downsizing and need those funds for living expenses, pray about an appropriate percentage.
What if I need to reduce my tithe due to unexpected medical expenses?
Emergencies happen. God understands your situation. Do what you need to care for yourself, and return to faithful tithing when you’re able. Consider discussing your situation with your pastor.
Biblical Encouragement for Retirement Tithing
Determining how much to tithe in retirement isn’t just about numbers—it’s about continuing your journey of faithful stewardship.
Proverbs 3:9-10 says: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
This promise doesn’t expire when you retire. God continues to honor those who honor Him with their finances, regardless of age.
Luke 21:1-4 tells of the widow who gave her last two coins. Jesus praised not the amount but her sacrificial heart. In retirement, giving from fixed income can be sacrificial—and God sees and honors that faith.
Taking Action: Calculate Your Retirement Tithe Today
Ready to determine how much to tithe in retirement for your situation? Here’s what to do:
This Week:
- List all your retirement income sources
- Determine which income you’ve already tithed on
- Use our free tithe calculator to calculate 10% of income you should tithe on
- Set up automatic giving through your church or bank
This Month:
- Review your first month of retirement tithing
- Adjust if needed based on actual expenses
- Consider additional offerings beyond your tithe
- Discuss your giving strategy with your spouse or financial advisor
This Year:
- Track your giving for tax purposes
- Explore strategic giving opportunities like QCDs
- Review and adjust your tithing strategy as income changes
- Share what you’ve learned with other retirees
Final Thoughts on Retirement Tithing
Understanding how much to tithe in retirement empowers you to continue faithful giving in this new season. While the sources of your income may have changed, the principle of honoring God with your finances remains constant.
Remember these key principles:
✓ Tithe on pre-tax retirement account withdrawals (traditional IRAs, 401(k)s) ✓ Tithe on genuinely new income (dividends, interest, wages) ✓ Don’t double-tithe on money you’ve already given from ✓ Pray about Social Security based on your previous giving history ✓ Give cheerfully from whatever you have
Your retirement years can be some of your most generous years. With wisdom, planning, and faith, you can honor God with your finances and experience the joy of giving even on a fixed income.
Whether you’re just entering retirement or have been retired for years, it’s never too late to establish a biblical giving pattern. Calculate your tithe, commit to giving faithfully, and trust God to provide for your needs as you honor Him with your resources.
For more guidance on biblical giving, explore our resources on how to calculate tithe from salary, tithe and offering scriptures, and the difference between tithe and offering.