Group 1 - The article discusses a structured approach to retirement planning, emphasizing actionable steps to retire by 2026 [1] - It introduces the 4% withdrawal rule, which suggests that individuals should multiply their annual spending by 25 to determine their target savings amount [2][3] - Examples provided indicate that to support an annual spending of $40,000, one needs approximately $1 million saved, while $50,000 requires $1.25 million, and $70,000 necessitates $1.75 million [2] Group 2 - The focus for 2025 should be on confirming income sources for retirement, categorized into Social Security and personal savings [4] - Individuals are advised to create a My Social Security account to estimate their benefits, with options to claim reduced benefits at age 62, full benefits at full retirement age, or maximum benefits at age 70 [5] - A comprehensive list of savings, including 401(k) plans, IRAs, pensions, and HSAs, is recommended to form an "income stack" [6] Group 3 - A withdrawal strategy is essential before retirement, detailing how to access funds from different accounts at various ages [7] - The strategy suggests withdrawing from taxable brokerage accounts first between ages 59 to 65, preserving Roth IRAs for later use, and converting small amounts from 401(k) or IRAs to Roth to minimize future taxes [8] - After age 65, individuals should increase withdrawals from 401(k) and IRAs and begin Social Security benefits between ages 65 and 70, highlighting the importance of sequencing for tax efficiency and longevity of funds [8]