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A Retirement Planning Checklist: What to Do 10 Years Out, 5 Years Out, and at Retirement
By Craig Wear, CFP® Last reviewed: September 2026 A retirement planning checklist works best when it is organized by time, because the decisions that matter […]
What Is a Contributory IRA? Definition, 2026 Limits, and How It Differs From a Rollover IRA
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: September 2026 A contributory IRA is simply an IRA you fund with your own annual contributions, whether traditional […]
How to Save for Retirement Without a 401(k): Your 2026 Options
By Craig Wear, CFP® · Last reviewed: September 2026 How to save for retirement without a 401(k) starts with three accounts anyone can open on […]
How Much Do You Need to Retire at 60? A Framework Guide
How much you need to retire at 60 depends less on a single magic number and more on the rules of thumb you use to […]
Working While Collecting Social Security: The 2026 Earnings Test Explained
By Craig Wear, CFP® · Last reviewed: September 2026 Working while collecting Social Security is allowed at any age, though before full retirement age an […]
FERS Disability Retirement: How Eligibility, the Benefit Formula, and Taxes Work
By Craig Wear, CFP® · Last reviewed: September 2026 FERS disability retirement pays a federal annuity to employees who can no longer perform their job, […]
What Is a Self-Directed IRA? Rules, Risks, and How It Works
A self-directed IRA is an individual retirement account that lets the owner hold alternative assets through a specialized custodian. Key takeaways A self-directed IRA (SDIRA) […]
Can You Roll a SIMPLE IRA Into a Traditional IRA? Yes, After the 2-Year Rule
By Craig Wear, CFP® · Last reviewed: September 2026 You can roll a SIMPLE IRA into a traditional IRA, but only after the account clears […]
When Should You Start Saving for Retirement? What the Benchmarks Say
By Craig Wear, CFP® · Last reviewed: September 2026 When should you start saving for retirement? As early as your budget allows, because time is […]
What Is Tax Liability? How Retirees Figure and Shape the Tax They Owe in 2026
By Craig Wear, CFP® · Last reviewed: September 2026 What is tax liability? Tax liability is the total income tax you owe the federal government […]