RETIREMENT GUIDES
Learn About Retirement
Straightforward guides to help you understand retirement income, spending, taxes, and the decisions ahead.
40 guides across 5 topics
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40 guides
What Is Medicare Part A, B, C, and D? A Plain-English Guide (2026)
Medicare has four parts — A, B, C, and D — and each one covers different healthcare services at different costs. If you're approaching 65 or helping a parent navigate enrollment, this guide explains exactly what each part covers, what it costs in 2026, and how the pieces fit together.
16 min readThe Best States to Retire In for Low Taxes (2026 Rankings)
The best states to retire for low taxes are Florida, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Texas — all with no state income tax whatsoever. But income tax is only one dimension. The best overall retirement tax picture considers whether the state taxes Social Security, whether it exempts pension and retirement account income, property tax rates, sales tax, and estate taxes. This guide ranks all the key states across every dimension that matters to retirees.
17 min readCan You Live on Social Security Alone? $1,907/Month in 2026
The average Social Security benefit in 2026 is $1,907/month — $22,884 a year. About 12% of Americans 65 and older rely on it for 90%+ of their income. It is possible, but it requires a low-cost area, minimal fixed costs, and almost no margin for emergencies.
16 min readCoast FIRE Explained: How to Stop Saving and Still Retire on Time (2026)
Coast FIRE is the point at which your invested assets — left completely untouched — will grow to your retirement target on their own by the time you reach traditional retirement age. Once you've hit your Coast FIRE number, you no longer need to save for retirement. You just need to earn enough to cover your current living expenses. The math does the rest.
19 min readHow Are 401(k) Withdrawals Taxed in Retirement? (2026 Guide)
Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income — the same way wages are taxed — at your federal marginal rate in the year you withdraw. There is no special "retirement" tax rate. If you withdraw $50,000 from a traditional 401(k) in a year when your total taxable income is $70,000, that $50,000 is subject to your regular income tax brackets. Roth 401(k) withdrawals, by contrast, are completely tax-free in retirement. State taxes, Social Security taxation interactions, and mandatory Required Minimum Distributions add further complexity — all covered here.
18 min readHow Inflation Affects Your Retirement Savings Over 20–30 Years (2026)
At 3% annual inflation, a retirement lifestyle that costs $60,000/year today will cost $81,000 by year 12, $108,000 by year 21, and $145,000 by year 30. Your savings don't just need to last 30 years — they need to fund a spending level that nearly doubles in nominal dollars over that period. Most retirement plans either account for this correctly or dramatically underestimate how much money they'll need in their 70s, 80s, and 90s.
18 min readHow Long Will $1 Million Last in Retirement? $40,000/Year at 4%
At the standard 4% withdrawal rate, $1 million produces $40,000 a year — roughly $3,333/month. Add Social Security and that can last comfortably into your 90s. Run your own scenario with the 4% rule calculator or the how long will my money last calculator.
15 min readHow Long Will $500,000 Last in Retirement?
$500,000 will last approximately 17–25 years in retirement, depending on your annual spending, investment returns, and whether you have Social Security or other income. At the common 4% withdrawal rate, $500,000 produces $20,000 per year — which, combined with Social Security, can fund a modest but sustainable retirement for many people.
13 min readHow Much Do I Need to Retire? $1M–$1.5M for Most People (2026)
Most people need $1 million to $1.5 million saved to retire comfortably — the range depends on your spending, location, Social Security benefit, and retirement age. Find your personal number with the retirement calculator, then read on for the full breakdown.
11 min readReady to put the ideas to work?
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