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401(k) vs. IRA: Choosing the Right Account When You're Just Starting Out
Retirement Accounts · Featured

401(k) vs. IRA: Choosing the Right Account When You're Just Starting Out

By Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 5 min read
Retirement Accounts Building Your Retirement Account Strategy: Habits That Support Long-Term Saving

Building Your Retirement Account Strategy: Habits That Support Long-Term Saving

Practical, evidence-informed approaches to contributing consistently, avoiding common pitfalls, and thinking clearly abo…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Accounts Employer Matching in a 401(k): What It Is and Why It Matters

Employer Matching in a 401(k): What It Is and Why It Matters

Many employers match a portion of your 401(k) contributions. Learn how matching works, common structures, and what to co…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Retirement Accounts Opening Your First IRA: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Opening Your First IRA: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

From choosing between a Traditional or Roth IRA to making your first contribution, here's a clear walkthrough for anyone…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Retirement Accounts Pros and Cons of Keeping Money in a Workplace 401(k)

Pros and Cons of Keeping Money in a Workplace 401(k)

A balanced look at the advantages and drawbacks of leaving retirement savings in a former or current employer's 401(k) p…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Accounts Retirement Account Contribution Limits: Key Numbers to Know

Retirement Account Contribution Limits: Key Numbers to Know

A quick-reference guide to annual contribution limits for 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs — including catch-up contribution…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 4 min
Retirement Accounts Retirement Account Myths That Hold New Savers Back

Retirement Account Myths That Hold New Savers Back

From 'I'll start when I earn more' to 'I can't touch that money ever' — common retirement account misconceptions examine…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Retirement Accounts Retirement Accounts Explained: 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth Accounts for First-Time Savers

Retirement Accounts Explained: 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth Accounts for First-Time Savers

New to retirement saving? Learn what 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth accounts are, how they work, and why they matter for your f…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 9 min
Retirement Accounts Rolling Over a 401(k) Into an IRA: What the Process Actually Involves

Rolling Over a 401(k) Into an IRA: What the Process Actually Involves

A step-by-step look at how a 401(k)-to-IRA rollover works, the types of rollovers available, and the key rules to be awa…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Accounts Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k): Understanding the Tax Trade-Off

Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k): Understanding the Tax Trade-Off

Some employers offer both a Roth and Traditional 401(k). Here's how they differ on taxes, withdrawals, and long-term pla…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Accounts Roth IRA Fundamentals: After-Tax Saving and Tax-Free Growth

Roth IRA Fundamentals: After-Tax Saving and Tax-Free Growth

Learn how a Roth IRA works, who can contribute, what the annual limits are, and why tax-free withdrawals in retirement c…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Retirement Accounts The Retirement Account Glossary: Terms Every New Saver Should Understand

The Retirement Account Glossary: Terms Every New Saver Should Understand

Vesting schedules, RMDs, rollovers, and more — a clear, jargon-free glossary of retirement account terms you'll actually…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Accounts Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA: Which Tax Advantage Works in Your Favour?

Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA: Which Tax Advantage Works in Your Favour?

Understand the key differences between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA — including how each is taxed and when each appr…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Retirement Accounts What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave a Job?

What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave a Job?

Leaving an employer raises real questions about your retirement savings. Learn the options available for your 401(k) and…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Retirement Accounts What Is a 401(k)? A Plain-English Breakdown

What Is a 401(k)? A Plain-English Breakdown

A 401(k) is one of the most common retirement accounts in the US. Here's exactly how it works, what the limits are, and …

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Retirement Accounts Why Your Retirement Savings Aren't Growing the Way You Expected

Why Your Retirement Savings Aren't Growing the Way You Expected

Confused about slow account growth? Explore the common reasons retirement balances stall — from low contribution rates t…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 5 min
Saving Strategies Annual Retirement Saving Health Check: A Self-Audit Checklist

Annual Retirement Saving Health Check: A Self-Audit Checklist

Use this practical checklist once a year to review your retirement saving habits, catch gaps, and stay on track toward y…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Saving Strategies Automating Your Contributions: Set It, Forget It, Retire Richer

Automating Your Contributions: Set It, Forget It, Retire Richer

Automation removes willpower from the equation. Learn how to set up automatic retirement contributions that work even wh…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Saving Strategies Compound Growth Explained Without the Jargon

Compound Growth Explained Without the Jargon

Compound growth is the engine behind retirement savings. This plain-language explainer shows exactly how time and consis…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Saving Strategies Emergency Fund vs. Retirement Savings: Which Comes First?

Emergency Fund vs. Retirement Savings: Which Comes First?

Should you build an emergency cushion before investing for retirement? Understand the trade-offs and how to balance both…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Saving Strategies Habits That Quietly Undermine Retirement Saving Progress

Habits That Quietly Undermine Retirement Saving Progress

Lifestyle creep, skipped contributions, and premature withdrawals can silently erode your retirement savings. Learn whic…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 5 min
Saving Strategies Lump-Sum Saving vs. Regular Monthly Contributions: What Works Better for Retirement?

Lump-Sum Saving vs. Regular Monthly Contributions: What Works Better for Retirement?

Is it better to save a large amount occasionally or smaller amounts regularly? Explore how each approach affects long-te…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Saving Strategies Retirement Saving Myths That Keep People From Starting

Retirement Saving Myths That Keep People From Starting

"I'll start when I earn more." "It's too late." These common beliefs delay retirement saving. Here's what the evidence a…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Saving Strategies Retirement Saving on Any Income: Where to Actually Begin

Retirement Saving on Any Income: Where to Actually Begin

Feeling behind or earning little? Learn the foundational steps to start saving for retirement regardless of your current…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Saving Strategies Roth Contributions vs. Traditional Pre-Tax Contributions: A Retirement Saving Comparison

Roth Contributions vs. Traditional Pre-Tax Contributions: A Retirement Saving Comparison

Roth and traditional retirement accounts handle taxes very differently. Here's how to think about which approach suits y…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 5 min
Saving Strategies Saving More Without Earning More: Practical Ways to Widen the Gap

Saving More Without Earning More: Practical Ways to Widen the Gap

Boosting your savings rate doesn't always require a raise. Discover practical, everyday adjustments that free up money f…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Saving Strategies Saving Strategies That Hold Up Across Every Decade of Your Career

Saving Strategies That Hold Up Across Every Decade of Your Career

Your 20s, 40s, and 60s each call for a different approach to retirement saving. Explore how smart strategies shift as yo…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Saving Strategies Savings Rate: What It Is, How to Calculate It, and Why It Matters for Retirement

Savings Rate: What It Is, How to Calculate It, and Why It Matters for Retirement

Your savings rate—the share of income you set aside—is one of the most important numbers in retirement planning. Here's …

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Saving Strategies The 50/30/20 Budget and What It Means for Retirement Saving

The 50/30/20 Budget and What It Means for Retirement Saving

The 50/30/20 rule is a popular budgeting framework. See how its savings category maps onto retirement goals for people j…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Saving Strategies The Pay-Yourself-First Principle and Why It Changes Everything

The Pay-Yourself-First Principle and Why It Changes Everything

Paying yourself first means saving before spending. Here's how this simple habit forms the backbone of long-term retirem…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Saving Strategies Why Starting Small Is Still Starting: The Case for Micro-Contributions

Why Starting Small Is Still Starting: The Case for Micro-Contributions

Think you can't afford to save for retirement? Micro-contributions—even a few dollars a week—can matter more than you'd …

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Milestones Catching Up: What the Age-50 Contribution Limit Increase Actually Allows

Catching Up: What the Age-50 Contribution Limit Increase Actually Allows

Once you turn 50, you can contribute extra to certain retirement accounts. Here's what that looks like, and who benefits…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 7 min
Retirement Milestones Early Retirement vs. Standard Retirement Age: What Changes and What Doesn't

Early Retirement vs. Standard Retirement Age: What Changes and What Doesn't

Retiring before 65 sounds appealing, but the tradeoffs are real. Compare how early and standard retirement ages affect i…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 5 min
Retirement Milestones How Compound Growth Interacts With Retirement Milestones - and Why Starting Early Changes Everything

How Compound Growth Interacts With Retirement Milestones - and Why Starting Early Changes Everything

The relationship between time, compounding, and retirement benchmarks — explained for beginners who are just starting to…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Milestones Mapping Your Retirement Journey: Decade-by-Decade Checkpoints

Mapping Your Retirement Journey: Decade-by-Decade Checkpoints

A structured look at what to focus on financially in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s so retirement doesn't sneak up on you u…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Retirement Milestones Nest Egg vs. Income Floor: Two Different Ways to Think About Retirement Readiness

Nest Egg vs. Income Floor: Two Different Ways to Think About Retirement Readiness

Should you aim for a lump-sum savings target or a monthly income benchmark? Understand how these two retirement framewor…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Milestones Retirement Milestone Myths That Can Derail Your Planning

Retirement Milestone Myths That Can Derail Your Planning

From "I'll start saving later" to "Social Security will cover me," these common beliefs about retirement timelines can q…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Milestones Retirement Milestones Explained: Age and Savings Benchmarks That Actually Matter

Retirement Milestones Explained: Age and Savings Benchmarks That Actually Matter

A plain-language breakdown of the key retirement checkpoints — from your 20s to your 60s — and why each one shapes your …

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 10 min
Retirement Milestones Retirement Planning Mistakes That Are Easy to Make When You're Young

Retirement Planning Mistakes That Are Easy to Make When You're Young

Young adults often make well-intentioned retirement decisions that create problems later. Here's what those mistakes loo…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Milestones Retirement Savings Benchmarks by Age: A Reference Guide

Retirement Savings Benchmarks by Age: A Reference Guide

A quick-reference guide to commonly cited savings-to-income ratios at ages 30, 40, 50, and beyond — with context for wha…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 5 min
Retirement Milestones The Complete Guide to Retirement Milestones: From First Job to Final Paycheck

The Complete Guide to Retirement Milestones: From First Job to Final Paycheck

Everything a beginner needs to understand about retirement checkpoints — ages, savings targets, contribution windows, an…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Retirement Milestones The Logic Behind Saving 1x Your Salary by 30

The Logic Behind Saving 1x Your Salary by 30

Where does the "1x your salary by age 30" rule come from, and is it a realistic target? Here's what it means and how to …

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Retirement Milestones The Retirement Milestones Most Young Adults Overlook Until It's Too Late

The Retirement Milestones Most Young Adults Overlook Until It's Too Late

Some of the most consequential retirement checkpoints aren't dramatic — they're quiet, easy-to-miss moments that compoun…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min
Retirement Milestones Why Age 59½ Is Such a Significant Number in Retirement Accounts

Why Age 59½ Is Such a Significant Number in Retirement Accounts

Learn why 59½ is a key threshold in most retirement accounts, what changes after it, and what happens if you withdraw fu…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Retirement Milestones Why Delaying Retirement by Even Two Years Can Shift Your Outlook Significantly

Why Delaying Retirement by Even Two Years Can Shift Your Outlook Significantly

Working a few extra years affects your savings, Social Security benefits, and withdrawal rate. Here's how the numbers ca…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 8 min
Retirement Milestones Your Retirement Readiness Checklist for Each Decade of Your Life

Your Retirement Readiness Checklist for Each Decade of Your Life

A practical, decade-by-decade checklist of the financial and planning actions that move you closer to a stable retiremen…

Retirement Planning Editorial Team · 6 min

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