Retirement Planning Guides 2026

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Most important guides

If you're new to retirement planning, read these four first.

What is a 401(k) and how does it work?

Employer match, vesting schedules, contribution limits, and investment options — everything you need before enrolling in your first 401(k).

8 min readRead guide →

Account Types

Roth IRA rules: contributions, limits, and withdrawals

Income limits, the five-year rule, when you can withdraw tax-free, and the backdoor Roth strategy for high earners.

10 min readRead guide →

Strategy

The order of operations for retirement saving

Where to put each dollar: employer match → HSA → IRA → max 401(k) → taxable brokerage. A simple framework that works for most people.

6 min readRead guide →

Rules & Laws

SECURE 2.0: what changed for 2026

Super catch-up contributions for ages 60–63, mandatory Roth catch-up rule, RMD age increase, and more — all the changes now in effect.

7 min readRead guide →

🏦 Account Types

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Account Types

Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA: which is better?

Same $7,500 limit, completely different tax logic. How to decide which one is right for your income and tax situation.

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Account Types

Self-employed retirement accounts compared

SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), and SIMPLE IRA side by side. Which one lets you save the most depends on your income level.

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Account Types

How the HSA triple tax advantage works

The only account that's pre-tax going in, grows tax-free, and comes out tax-free. Why an HSA often beats a 401(k) for healthy savers.

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Account Types

What is a backdoor Roth IRA?

If your income is above the Roth IRA limit, you can still get money in through the back door. A step-by-step walkthrough of how it works.

📈 Strategy

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Strategy

When should you claim Social Security?

Claim at 62 and get less, wait until 70 and get more. The 8% per year delayed credit and the break-even calculation that matters most.

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Strategy

The 4% rule explained

The most widely cited retirement withdrawal guideline — where it came from, how it works, and when you should adjust it for your situation.

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Strategy

Retirement savings by age: how much should you have?

Common benchmarks by decade — 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Why the 1× salary rule at 30 matters and how to catch up if you're behind.

📖 The Basics

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The Basics

What is an RMD and how do you calculate it?

Required Minimum Distributions explained: when they start, how the IRS calculates them, the 25% penalty for missing one, and the 2033 age change.

⚖️ Rules & Laws

Updated

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Rules & Laws

SECURE 2.0 Act: complete summary of changes

Every provision that affects regular savers — super catch-up rules, RMD age changes, Roth employer match, student loan match, and more.