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Plan the years of saving and the years of spending as one system

Connect contributions, account rules, Social Security, healthcare, taxes and withdrawals instead of relying on one target number.

Guides in this section
8 guides in this section
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In brief

A retirement plan needs more than a balance target: estimate future spending, inventory guaranteed income, model savings under several return assumptions, and plan how taxes, healthcare and withdrawals interact. Revisit the inputs as life changes.

Retirement

Retirement Planning by Age in 2026: Savings Goals for Your 30s, 40s, 50s & 60s

Whether you are 25 or 55, this is the only retirement planning guide you will ever need. Covers exactly how much to save, where to invest, which accounts to use, Social Security optimization, healthcare planning, and the precise steps to retire on your terms. Backed by data from Fidelity, Vanguard, and the Federal Reserve.

By Asim Ahmad18 min read

Tools and references

All retirement guides

  1. Retirement Income Playbook 2026: Social Security Timing, Withdrawal Order & Tax Savings

    You spent decades saving for retirement. Now comes the harder part: turning those savings into reliable income without running out of money or giving too much to the IRS. This step-by-step playbook covers when to claim Social Security, which accounts to tap first, how Roth conversions can save six figures in taxes, and the bucket strategy that keeps you from panic-selling in a downturn.

    18 min read

  2. Catch-Up Contributions 2026: Retirement Savings Strategy for Your 40s and 50s

    If you started saving late, you are not alone, and you are not out of options. The IRS allows workers 50 and older to contribute thousands extra to retirement accounts each year. Here is exactly how to use catch-up contributions, maximize every tax advantage, and build a realistic plan to close your retirement gap before it is too late.

    18 min read

  3. When to Claim Social Security in 2026: The Complete Age 62 vs 67 vs 70 Decision Guide

    The difference between claiming Social Security at 62 and waiting until 70 is $1,781 per month, or $21,372 per year, for the rest of your life. With 2026 bringing a 2.8% COLA increase, a new earnings limit of $24,480, and the full retirement age now set at 67, this guide walks you through exactly when to claim based on your health, finances, and family situation.

    14 min read

Common questions

How much do I need to retire?
There is no single number. Estimate retirement spending, subtract reliable income such as Social Security or a pension, then test the remaining portfolio need across different lifespans, returns, inflation and withdrawal paths.
Should I use a 401(k) or an IRA?
They can complement each other. Compare any employer match, eligibility, tax treatment, investment menu, fees, contribution limits and withdrawal rules before deciding the order of contributions.
Does a retirement calculator predict my future balance?
No. It models assumptions. Returns, inflation, fees, taxes, contributions and retirement timing can differ materially, so use multiple scenarios and update the plan regularly.