- How to Build a Retirement Investment Plan: Strategies and Steps
A retirement plan that needs to last 30 or more years can succeed or fail based on its structure. Account types, contribution levels, asset allocation, tax treatment and withdrawal sequencing will determine how much you keep, how long it lasts and how much goes to taxes. That is why the decisions you make when setting… read more…
- Micro Retirement: Definition, Benefits, Drawbacks and Taxes
A micro retirement is an intentional, extended career break taken mid-career rather than waiting until traditional retirement age. Unlike standard vacation time, these breaks typically last from a few weeks to a year, are usually unpaid, and are self-funded and self-directed rather than provided by an employer. Micro retirements can look very different: some people… read more…
- 7 Tax-Efficient Retirement Withdrawal Strategies
The order in which you withdraw money from your retirement accounts could cost, or save, you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your retirement. While most retirees follow the conventional wisdom of tapping taxable accounts first and saving Roth accounts for last, this seemingly logical approach can actually trigger a cascade of… read more…
- Mega Backdoor Roth Limits in 2026
For high earners who’ve already maxed out their 401(k) and Roth IRA contributions, the mega backdoor Roth offers a rare opportunity to push tens of thousands of additional dollars into tax-free retirement savings each year. In 2026, the strategy allows eligible savers to contribute up to the overall 401(k) limit of $72,000. Even higher caps… read more…
- Can You Make 401(k) Withdrawals to Pay for Long-Term Care?
Long-term care is one of the most significant expenses many retirees face. Annual costs can easily exceed $100,000 for nursing home care, with tens of thousands more for in-home or assisted living services. And for those without dedicated insurance or the savings to cover care, tapping a 401(k) may seem like the most accessible option.… read more…
- How to Plan for Taxes in Retirement: 7 Strategies and Examples
Retirement does not end your tax bill. It changes where taxes come from, when they are triggered and how much control you have over them. Instead of wages and payroll withholding, retirees may rely on Social Security, pensions, traditional IRA or 401(k) withdrawals, taxable investment income, capital gains and required minimum distributions (RMDs). A financial… read more…
- Life Insurance Over 75: Why Get It and Coverage Options
While obtaining coverage past age 75 comes with challenges, including higher premiums and more limited options, several types of policies remain available that are specifically designed for older adults. Taking advantage of these options can provide much-needed protection from financial burden for your family during an already difficult time, or simply cover the cost final… read more…
- 401(k) Rollover to a Roth IRA: Tax Consequences
Converting your 401(k) to a Roth IRA can be one of the smartest moves for your retirement strategy. However, it comes with an immediate price tag that catches many investors off guard. A traditional 401(k) rollover to a traditional IRA is tax-free, Roth conversions are not. Moving money from a 401(k) into a Roth IRA… read more…
- Trump IRA Accounts: How Much Americans Without 401(k)s Could Save
On April 30, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at closing the retirement-savings gap for those without 401(k) plans through the creation of TrumpIRA.gov. The federal platform is designed to connect uncovered workers with low-cost individual retirement accounts and pair those accounts with the Saver’s Match, created under SECURE 2.0. While the Saver’s… read more…
- 401(k) Tax Forms: Withdrawals, Rollovers and Loans
When you take money from your 401(k) through a withdrawal, rollover or loan default, the IRS requires specific reporting on your tax return. The forms you receive, what each figure represents and how to report them correctly can affect both what you owe and whether you face penalties for errors or omissions. If you want… read more…
- Social Security Tax Thresholds for Retirement Income
Social Security benefits can be taxed at the federal level depending on your total income in retirement. Whether you owe taxes on your benefits, and how much, depends on very old data. The IRS uses income thresholds set decades ago that have never been adjusted for inflation. As incomes and cost-of-living adjustments increase, so do… read more…
- Boldin Review: Features, Pricing and Competitors
Planning your financial future can feel overwhelming, but the right tools can make it far more manageable. Boldin is a platform that helps simplify that process, offering detailed projections, retirement modeling and hands-on planning for DIY investors. Before committing, it’s important to understand how it works, what it costs and how it compares to other… read more…
- Retirement Planning for Federal Employees: Services and Examples
Federal employees receive a retirement benefit package that includes a pension, a tax-advantaged savings plan and Social Security. But many do not fully understand how these benefits work, and that can mean leaving money behind. The FERS pension, the Thrift Savings Plan and Social Security each come with their own rules, deadlines and trade-offs. Whether… read more…
- Retirement Planning for Doctors: Services and Examples
Most physicians spend their 20s and early 30s in medical school and residency, which means their highest earning years tend to start later than those of other professionals. By the time doctors reach attending-level salaries, many are carrying significant student debt while also needing to make up ground on retirement savings. This combination of competing… read more…
- How Do Variable Annuity Guarantees Work?
Variable annuities are often sold on the promise of one compelling idea: you can participate in market gains without bearing the full risk of market losses. It’s an attractive pitch, especially for investors approaching retirement who can’t afford a major setback. However, the word “guarantee” inside a variable annuity contract carries a lot of fine… read more…
- How Are Variable Annuities Regulated?
Variable annuities can be powerful tools for retirement planning. They provide guaranteed income options with tax-deferred growth that few other products can match. However, they are also complex, layered contracts that carry real risks. Therefore, the stakes for consumers are high. That complexity is exactly why variable annuities merge two major regulatory systems: insurance and… read more…
- Retirement Planning for Families: Services and Examples
Planning for retirement can be a challenge for families who are balancing everyday expenses, raising children and sometimes even supporting aging parents. With so many financial priorities competing for attention, long-term goals like retirement can easily fall to the background. But with the right strategies and planning approach, families can build a retirement plan that… read more…
- Retirement Planning for Dentists: Services and Examples
Dentists often spend years building successful practices and earning strong incomes, but turning that success into a secure retirement requires thoughtful planning. Between managing student debt, running a business and navigating complex tax situations, retirement strategies for dental professionals can look very different from those of traditional employees. With the right mix of retirement accounts,… read more…
- What Do Financial Advisors Make for Selling Annuities?
Annuities are a common financial product used in retirement planning, but their compensation structure isn’t always easy to understand. Many investors are familiar with the basic concept of exchanging a lump sum for a stream of guaranteed income, but fewer are aware of how financial advisors are compensated when recommending these products. How advisors are… read more…
- 5 Investments That Can Add Income After You Retire
Once you retire, the purpose of your investment portfolio often changes. Instead of concentrating primarily on growth, many retirees focus on generating reliable income to supplement Social Security, pensions or other sources of income. Choosing the right investments to add income after retiring can help support day-to-day expenses while managing risk in a portfolio that… read more…
- 5 Investments to Consider 10 Years Before Retirement
At 10 years before retirement, investment priorities often begin to shift. The focus typically moves from maximizing growth to protecting accumulated savings while managing risk and preparing for future income. Portfolios at this stage commonly combine growth-oriented assets with stabilizing investments to help limit volatility and support a smoother transition into retirement spending. No matter… read more…
- 5 Investments to Consider Midway to Retirement
Being midway to retirement means you may still have years of earnings ahead. However, the margin for error is smaller than it was earlier in your career. Choosing investments typically involves balancing continued growth with a growing emphasis on risk management and future income. At this stage, you want to protect your progress while positioning… read more…
- How Much Monthly Income Could a $400,000 Annuity Provide?
Imagine turning a single $400,000 investment into a steady monthly paycheck that lasts the rest of your life. For many retirees, that kind of predictable income can feel like a financial safety net in an otherwise uncertain retirement landscape. Annuities provide exactly that, but the amount of income they generate, and whether they make sense… read more…
- What Happens to Your IRA When You Die? Beneficiary Rules and Taxes
An individual retirement account (IRA) can be a significant estate asset. How the account is handled depends on whether a beneficiary is named, who that beneficiary is and which distribution rules apply at the time of death. These factors affect how and when the account is distributed, how withdrawals are taxed and whether probate applies.… read more…
- I’m 50 With $875k in My 401(k) and $5,000 in Monthly Expenses. When’s the Soonest I Can Retire?
Whether you’re making a budget or planning your retirement date, it typically comes down to the same basic math: how much money you can reliably generate and how does that compares to your budget. To help you estimate how much you will need for retirement, let’s work through an example of a 50 year old… read more…