RETIREMENT GUIDES
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Straightforward guides to help you understand retirement income, spending, taxes, and the decisions ahead.
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12 guides
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Saves You More in Taxes? (2026)
If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are today, a Roth IRA saves you more. If you expect to be in a lower bracket in retirement, a traditional IRA saves you more. In practice, most middle-income earners benefit from having both — the certainty of tax-free Roth growth combined with the upfront deduction of traditional contributions provides tax flexibility no single account can match.
21 min readThe 4% Rule Explained: $1,000,000 × 4% = $40,000 a Year (2026)
$1,000,000 × 4% = $40,000 a year — $3,333 a month. Withdraw that amount in year one, then adjust it for inflation each year. Test a portfolio with the 4% rule calculator.
15 min readWhat Is the Best Order to Withdraw from Retirement Accounts? (2026)
The standard withdrawal order is: taxable brokerage accounts first, traditional IRA and 401k second, Roth IRA last. This sequence minimizes lifetime taxes by drawing from lower-taxed accounts early and preserving tax-free Roth growth as long as possible. But the right order for you depends on your tax bracket, Social Security timing, RMD schedule, and whether you're in an unusually high or low income year — and the standard order should be broken strategically in specific situations.
17 min readReady to put the ideas to work?
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