Retirement Planning
Required Minimum Distributions: What They Are and When They Hit
A plain-English look at required minimum distributions: what they are, the age they start, how the math works, and how to sidestep...
Category
Retirement Planning
401(k)s, IRAs, pensions and Social Security made simple: how to figure out what you will need, choose the right accounts and stay on track at any age.
Retirement Planning
Planning for Healthcare Costs in Retirement
A practical look at what healthcare really costs after you stop working, and how to plan for premiums, out-of-pocket bills, and long-term...
Retirement Planning
Roth Conversions Explained: Is One Right for You?
A Roth conversion moves money from a pretax account into a Roth and pays the tax now. Here is how to tell...
Retirement Planning
How a 401k Works in Plain English
A plain-English walkthrough of what a 401(k) is, how contributions and employer matches work, and the common myths that keep new workers...
Retirement Planning
The Employer Match: Free Money You Should Not Leave Behind
A workplace 401(k) match is the closest thing to free money most people will ever get. Here is how it works and...
Retirement Planning
Traditional vs Roth IRA: Which Is Right for You
Traditional and Roth IRAs both build retirement savings, but they tax you at different times. Here is how to think about which...
Retirement Planning
How Much You Really Need to Retire
A grounded, plain-English way to estimate how much you actually need to retire, using your real spending instead of scary one-size-fits-all numbers.
Retirement Planning
Social Security Basics Everyone Should Know
A plain-English guide to how Social Security actually works, what it replaces in retirement, and the common myths that trip workers up...
Retirement Planning
When Should You Claim Social Security
A plain-English walk through how the age you claim Social Security changes your monthly check, with steps to weigh the tradeoffs for...
Retirement Planning
Catch-Up Contributions: A Boost for Late Starters
Once you turn 50, the IRS lets you stash extra money in retirement accounts each year. Here is how that catch-up room...