Retirement & 401(k)
Guides on 401(k) contributions, Roth vs Traditional IRAs, Social Security taxation, RMDs, and retirement tax planning strategies.
26 articles
Is Social Security Taxable in 2026? Thresholds + Senior Deduction
Up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be taxed. See the 2026 provisional-income thresholds ($25k/$34k single, $32k/$44k MFJ) and the new $6,000 OBBBA senior deduction.
How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated in 2026
How SSA turns your earnings into a monthly check: AIME, the 35-year average, the 2026 PIA bend points, and how full retirement age adjusts your benefit.
Inherited IRA 10-Year Rule 2026: SECURE Act + Final Regs Explained
Non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019 must empty the account within 10 years — and after July 2024 final regulations, must also take annual RMDs during years 1-9 if the original owner had reached their RBD. Full mechanics, eligible-designated-beneficiary categories, and worked examples.
QCD 2026: Qualified Charitable Distribution Up to $108,000 from IRA
Qualified Charitable Distributions let IRA owners 70½+ transfer up to $108,000 directly to charity in 2026, satisfying the RMD without taxable income, bypassing the standard-deduction barrier, and stacking with the new $54,000 split-interest QCD option.
Roth Conversion 5-Year Rules 2026: Two Clocks That Trip Up Retirees
Roth conversions trigger TWO separate 5-year clocks under IRC §408A(d). The contribution clock determines tax-free earnings; the conversion clock determines penalty-free access to converted principal. Full mechanics, common confusions, and 2026 worked examples.
RMD Age 73 vs 75: SECURE 2.0 Timeline 2026 Onward
SECURE 2.0 split the RMD starting age by birth year — 73 for those born 1951-1959 and 75 for those born 1960 or later. Mapping who reaches RBD when, the new April-1 first-RMD trap, and the penalty rollback from 50% to 25%/10%.
Roth Conversion + IRMAA 2026: Medicare Premium Cliff Strategy
A Roth conversion adds to MAGI, which can push a retiree across one or more IRMAA cliffs and trigger 2-year-delayed Medicare Part B and Part D surcharges. Full 2026 IRMAA brackets, the 2-year look-back rule, and conversion-sizing strategy to stay under the next tier.
Roth Conversion Ladder for FIRE: Pre-59½ Tax-Free Access Strategy
A Roth conversion ladder converts Traditional IRA balances year-by-year, then withdraws each converted layer after its 5-year clock — providing penalty-free access to retirement savings before age 59½ without using §72(t). Full 10-year build-out, sequencing math, and how it compares to SEPP.
Roth IRA Pro-Rata Rule 2026: §408(d)(2) Mechanics for Conversion + Backdoor Roth
The pro-rata rule (IRC §408(d)(2)) treats all Traditional IRAs as one aggregated account when computing the taxable portion of any conversion or distribution. This trips backdoor-Roth strategies and partial conversions alike. Full 2026 mechanics, Form 8606 walkthrough, and the 401(k)-rollover workaround.
RMD Table 2026: IRS Uniform Lifetime + Joint Life Tables
Use the 2026 IRS Uniform Lifetime Table to compute Required Minimum Distributions for Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Includes age 73-100 divisors, Joint Life Table for younger spouses, and Single Life Table for inherited IRAs.
Mega Backdoor Roth 2026: After-Tax 401(k) to Roth Conversion Guide
How the Mega Backdoor Roth works — the $70k+ §415(c) limit, in-plan vs in-service rollover mechanics, the IRS Notice 2014-54 allocation rule, and when your plan even supports it.
401(k) Catch-Up Age 60-63 Enhanced Contribution 2026 — SECURE 2.0 $11,250 Boost (IRS)
The SECURE 2.0 §109 super catch-up for ages 60-63: $11,250 instead of $7,500 in 2026, the 150% formula, Roth-mandate for high earners from 2026, IRS §415 total cap, and a worked example for a 62-year-old earning $200,000.
2026 Retirement Contribution Limits
2026 projected contribution limits for 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, and catch-up contributions compared to 2025. Maximize your tax-advantaged retirement savings with the updated numbers.
2026 Social Security COLA and Tax Changes
The official 2026 Social Security COLA of 2.8%, the new $184,500 taxable wage base cap, and how benefit taxation thresholds affect retirees. What every Social Security recipient needs to know.
401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026
The 2026 401(k) contribution limits, including employee deferrals, catch-up contributions, employer match rules, and how Roth 401(k) fits in.
Backdoor Roth IRA: How High Earners Can Still Fund a Roth
If you earn too much to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, the backdoor Roth strategy lets you get money in anyway. Here's how it works, the tax implications, and the pro-rata rule you need to watch for.
Roth Conversion: When Does It Make Sense?
Learn when converting a Traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth makes financial sense — covering low-income years, early retirement gap years, and tax bracket management.
Should You Max Out Your 401(k) or Invest in a Brokerage Account?
Compare tax-deferred 401(k) contributions against taxable brokerage investing to find the right balance for your retirement and financial goals.
Traditional vs. Roth 401(k): Which Should You Pick?
Compare Traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions to determine which option saves you more tax based on your current income, expected future tax rate, and retirement timeline.
Understanding FICA: Social Security and Medicare Taxes
A complete guide to FICA payroll taxes — the 6.2% Social Security tax, 1.45% Medicare tax, wage base cap, and the Additional Medicare Tax at $200,000.
When to Take Social Security: The Tax Impact of Age 62 vs. 67 vs. 70
Understand how the age you claim Social Security affects your benefit amount, federal tax exposure, and breakeven timeline — and how to minimize the tax hit on your benefits.
When Are Social Security Benefits Taxed? A Complete Guide
Understand when and how Social Security benefits are taxed, including the provisional income formula, 50% and 85% thresholds, and strategies to reduce taxation.
How FICA Tax Works: Social Security and Medicare Explained
Learn how FICA taxes are calculated, including Social Security and Medicare rates, wage base limits, and the additional Medicare tax for high earners.
Roth vs. Traditional IRA: Which Is Better for You?
Compare Roth and Traditional IRAs to determine which retirement account type best fits your tax situation, income level, and long-term financial goals.
Maximize Your 401(k) in 2025: Contribution Limits and Strategies
Learn the 2025 401(k) contribution limits, catch-up contributions, employer match strategies, and how to calculate the true cost of your retirement savings.
The HSA Triple Tax Advantage: The Most Powerful Tax-Sheltered Account
Discover the triple tax advantage of Health Savings Accounts, including 2025 contribution limits, investment strategies, and how to use your HSA as a retirement tool.
Related Calculators
401(k) Calculator
Contribution limits, employer match, tax-deferred growth
Roth vs Traditional IRA
Side-by-side Roth vs traditional projection — current-year deduction vs tax-free retirement withdrawal at your projected marginal rate
RMD Calculator
Required minimum distributions, age 73 RBD, life-expectancy tables
Social Security Tax
6.2% on wages up to $176,100 wage base (OASDI)