Retirement Planning

I've heard the '10x salary by retirement' rule, but what are the checkpoints along the way? I'm 42 with $180k saved. Salary is $85k. Am I behind? Ahead? My comp…

I can take Social Security at 62 ($1,800/mo), 67 ($2,600/mo), or 70 ($3,200/mo). The conventional wisdom says wait, but what if I don't live that long? What's t…

I have a pension from 28 years at the same company. Options: $3,800/month for life (single life), $3,200/month (joint & survivor 100%), or lump sum of $680,000.…

Reading news about layoffs and company closures. My 401k has $180k in it, mostly in company stock (40%) and index funds. Two questions: 1) Is my 401k protected …

I'm 40 with $180k in 401k, contributing $10k/year. On track for comfortable retirement at 65? What's the 'rule of thumb' for 401k balance at different ages?

I want to max out my 401k this year. I've heard the limit is $23,500 but there's also catch-up contributions for people over 50. I'm 52. What's my total max con…

Income too high for direct Roth contribution ($180k). Everyone says 'backdoor Roth' but I don't understand the steps. Do I need empty traditional IRA first?

Coworker says he's doing 'mega backdoor Roth' contributing way more than $23k limit. How is this possible? Does my 401k need special features?

My wife never worked (stayed home with kids for 20 years). I have a strong Social Security record. What spousal benefit is she entitled to? Does she have to wai…

I can retire now at 62 or keep working. Social Security would be $2,100 at 62, $3,000 at 67, or $3,720 at 70. Have $600k saved. Everyone says wait but I want to…

Planning to retire at 55 with $1.2M in 401k. Need to live off it until Social Security at 67. How do I withdraw money before 59.5 without paying penalty? Rule o…

I keep seeing headlines about SECURE 2.0 Act changes taking effect. Catch-up contributions changed? RMD ages changed? New Roth 401k rules? Super catch-up at age…

I'm 63 and plan to start Social Security early. I also plan to keep working part-time making about $25,000-$30,000 per year. I've heard there's an earnings limi…

Plan to retire at exactly 55. Heard about 'rule of 55' that lets me withdraw from current employer 401k penalty-free. Is this true? How does it work?

At 62: $2,200/month. At 70: $3,900/month. Need to live until 80 to break even. But what if I die at 75? Taking money now seems smarter. How do I decide?

Just inherited $400k IRA from my uncle. I'm 38. Heard new rules say I must empty it within 10 years? Can't stretch it over my lifetime anymore? This will crush …

Turning 73 this year and have to start RMDs. I have: Traditional IRA $400k, Roth IRA $150k, old 401k $200k, brokerage account $300k. My advisor says I can aggre…

Retiring at 60, need health insurance for 5 years until Medicare. COBRA too expensive. ACA subsidy eligibility? What do most early retirees do?

Need $30k for emergency home repairs (foundation damage, can't wait). Have $200k in 401k. Should I take loan or hardship withdrawal? What are taxes and penaltie…

Retiring at 55 with $800k in traditional IRA. Planning to live off savings until 59.5. Should I do big Roth conversions during these low-income years before RMD…