Retirement Account Guides
Plain-English explanations of retirement accounts, rules, and strategies. No jargon, no fluff — just clear answers to real questions.
What Is a 401(k)?
The starting point for most retirement savers. Understand how employer-sponsored plans work, how much you can contribute, how employer matching functions, and why this account is the backbone of American retirement saving.
Read the guideRetirement Account Basics
9 guidesFoundational guides on the major retirement account types — what they are, how they work, and who they're for.
What Is an IRA?
The basics of Individual Retirement Arrangements.
What Is a Roth IRA?
Tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals, and income limits.
What Is a Traditional IRA?
Tax deduction now, taxed on withdrawal later.
What Is a 403(b)?
The 401(k) equivalent for non-profit and education employees.
What Is a 457(b) Plan?
Government and non-profit deferred compensation plan.
What Is a Roth 401(k)?
After-tax contributions with tax-free withdrawals, same limits as 401(k).
What Is a Safe Harbor 401(k)?
A 401(k) design that passes IRS tests with mandatory employer contributions.
Roth IRA Investment Options
What you can invest in and what to prioritize for tax-free growth.
Can You Have Multiple Roth IRAs?
Yes, but the contribution limit is shared across all of them.
Rules & Access
8 guidesRegulations that govern when and how you can tap your retirement savings without penalties.
Rule of 55
Early 401(k) access without the 10% penalty.
401(k) Withdrawal Rules
When and how you can access your money — penalties, exceptions, RMDs.
401(k) Hardship Withdrawal
What qualifies as a hardship and what it costs.
457(b) Withdrawal Rules
No 10% penalty after separation from service.
Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules
Contributions anytime, earnings after 59½ and the 5-year rule.
Required Minimum Distributions
Mandatory withdrawals at 73 or 75 — how they work and the penalty.
401(k) Beneficiary Rules
What happens when you inherit a retirement account.
401(k) Rollover Rules
How to move money from a former employer's plan without taxes.
Compare Retirement Accounts
6 guidesSide-by-side comparisons to help you choose between account types.
457 vs 401(k)
The key difference: no early withdrawal penalty on 457(b).
403(b) vs 401(k)
Same limits, different eligible employers.
403(b) vs Roth IRA
Employer plan vs individual account — which is better?
401(a) vs 401(k)
Government plan vs private-sector plan.
SIMPLE IRA vs 401(k)
Small business plan comparison — lower cost vs higher limits.
SEP IRA vs Solo 401(k)
Which is better for the self-employed?
Contribution Limits & Strategies
7 guidesHow much you can save, the rules that govern each account type, and strategies for maximizing savings.
IRA Contribution Limits
2026 limits, the shared rule, and the contribution deadline.
403(b) Contribution Limits
2026 limits plus the special 15-year service catch-up.
SEP IRA & Solo 401(k) Limits
Self-employed contribution limits and catch-up rules.
Catch-Up Contributions
Saving more after 50 — and the super catch-up at 60–63.
Roth IRA Income Limits
Phase-out ranges and what to do if your income is too high.
Traditional IRA Deduction Limits
When you can deduct contributions and when you can't.
Spousal IRA
Retirement savings for a non-working or low-earning spouse.