Guides and strategies to help you catch up on retirement savings in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. From 401(k) and IRA catch-up contributions to Social Security timing, practical steps to build a secure retirement even if you started late.
What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA? The “backdoor Roth” isn’t an official account type. It’s just a strategy the IRS currently allows that lets high earners fund a Roth IRA even if their income is too high to contribute directly. Here’s the play: Congrats — you just “backdoored” into a Roth. Why Would You Use […]
What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA — and Should You Use It? Read More »
The Short Answer Yes, you and your spouse can both have your own Roth IRAs — and in most cases, you should. The IRS doesn’t care if you’re married when it comes to IRAs. They only care about your income and whether you qualify. Each spouse has their own contribution limit and their own account.
Should My Spouse and I Each Have Our Own Roth IRA? Read More »
A Simple Guide for the Average Person Why This Is So Confusing Pre-tax. Post-tax. 401(k). Roth. IRA. HSA. The government’s alphabet soup of accounts doesn’t exactly scream simple. For the average person, the question is: Where do I actually put my money first? Here’s the straightforward order, boiled down into plain English. Step 1: Grab
Which Retirement Buckets Should You Fill First? Read More »
First, Let’s Call It What It Is Your company’s retirement plan? A dud. No match, no “free money,” no boost to your future. You’re not alone, though. Even among employers that do offer retirement plans, the average match is only about 4.6% of pay (Investopedia). That means plenty of people are in the same boat
My Company Doesn’t Offer Any Retirement Match — What Should I Do? Read More »
There’s a one-time IRS rule that lets you move money from an IRA or 401(k) into your HSA tax-free. Here’s how it works, who can do it, and whether it’s smart for you A Little-Known Move You Might’ve Missed You already know HSAs are underrated. But what if I told you there’s an IRS loophole
Qualified HSA Funding Distribution. The HSA Trick You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Do Read More »
Should you prioritize your kid’s college tuition or your own retirement? Here’s how midlife parents can strike a balance without sinking their future. The Midlife Squeeze The kitchen table looks like a battlefield. On one side: tuition bills and college acceptance letters. On the other: your retirement account balance, not nearly as high as you
Can You Pay for College and Still Retire? Read More »
How to Build Wealth When You Feel Behind Is It Too Late? Hell No! If you’ve ever typed “Is it too late to save for retirement at 50?” into Google at midnight with a pit in your stomach, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I’m not a financial advisor. I don’t wear a suit, manage
The Midlife Money Catch-Up Plan Read More »
