Guides

Guides

Plain-language answers to the questions behind every plan — honest, and cross-linked to the free calculators that check a piece.

• Will my money last in retirement?

  It's the question every plan is really asking. A trustworthy answer needs two things: a full projection, and a probability — not a rule of thumb.

  →

• How much do I need to retire?

  Rules of thumb get you a ballpark. Your actual number depends on your spending, your taxes, and when your income sources switch on.

  →

• The Roth conversion ladder

  Converting traditional savings to Roth in low-income years can cut your lifetime tax bill — if you fill the right brackets and avoid the cliffs.

  →