Retirement at 65 used to be the norm. You worked 40-plus years, sometimes for the same company and retired with a pension or Social Security benefits and a paid-off house. But times are changing, and some people are delaying retirement past 65 — sometimes, way past. Find Out: Financial Advisors Weigh In — Whose Plan for Retirement Is Better, Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman? Read More: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K Per Month From Home There are lots of reasons to put off retiring. Medical advance ...

A number of changes are coming to 401(k) plans in 2026, including higher contribution limits for all account holders. The amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans will rise to $24,500 in 2026 from $23,500 for 2025, according to the IRS. Trending Now: Suze Orman Says If You’re Doing This, You’re ‘Making the Biggest Mistake in Life’ Try This: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Another change, included in the Secure 2.0 Act of 2022, targets high earners over 50 only. This ch ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the growing popularity of Roth 401(k) plans and highlights the importance of considering them for retirement savings [2][3] Group 1: Roth 401(k) Plans - Roth 401(k) plans have become more popular, with 85% of employer-sponsored plans offering this option, yet only 18% of employees utilize it [2] - Unlike Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k) plans do not have income limits, making them accessible to high earners [4][5] - Contributions to Roth 401(k) plans are made with after-tax dollars, allowing for tax-free withdrawals in retirement if certain conditions are met [6][7] Group 2: Expert Opinions - Personal finance expert Suze Orman emphasizes the advantages of Roth 401(k) accounts, arguing that individuals should prioritize them regardless of their tax bracket [5] - Orman warns that traditional 401(k) plans, while providing upfront tax benefits, can lead to tax liabilities upon withdrawal in retirement [6]

Core Insights - The article discusses various strategies for individuals to accumulate wealth, particularly emphasizing the importance of reaching the first $100,000 in savings as a significant milestone for financial freedom [4][5]. Group 1: Investment Strategies - Acorns is highlighted as a robo-investing app that helps users invest spare change from everyday purchases by rounding up transactions to the nearest dollar and investing the difference into diversified ETFs [1][6]. - Investing $833 monthly can lead to reaching $100,000 in just over seven years, leveraging the historical 10.26% compounded annual return of the S&P 500 since 1957 [2][3]. - The concept of a tipping point in wealth accumulation is introduced, where earnings from previous contributions surpass new contributions, illustrating the power of compound interest over time [3]. Group 2: Real Estate Investment - Real estate is identified as a popular investment option, with 36% of respondents in a Gallup survey considering it the best investment, despite challenges posed by rising housing prices [9]. - Turnkey real estate investments through crowdfunding platforms are presented as a way to invest in real estate without the burdens of property management, allowing investments with as little as $100 [10][14]. - Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) are introduced as a method for investors to gain exposure to real estate markets while minimizing risks associated with traditional property ownership [11][12]. Group 3: Retirement Savings - Utilizing employer-sponsored 401(k) matching programs is recommended as a strategy to accelerate wealth accumulation, with 98% of companies offering some form of matching in 2023 [17]. - The lack of retirement plans in many businesses is noted, with 47% of American workers employed in companies without any retirement plan options [18]. - Self-directed IRAs are suggested as an alternative for individuals without employer-sponsored plans, allowing for greater control over investment choices [19].

When it comes to helping your kids financially, most boomers face a tricky question: how do you transfer money without the IRS taking a huge cut? Read More: How Much You Need To Earn To Be Upper Middle Class in Every State Discover Next: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too I talked with Lance Morgan, financial expert and founder of College Funding Secrets, to find out the smartest strategy. His answer centered on a specific dollar amount that caught me off gu ...

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts such as HSAs, IRAs, and 401(k) plans to benefit from tax breaks [1][3] - In 2026, the maximum contribution limits for HSAs will increase, with $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage [7][11] - Individuals aged 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution to their HSA [4] Group 2 - It is advised to avoid treating HSAs as regular spending accounts, as the funds can grow tax-free if left untouched [5][8] - Eligibility for HSAs can change annually based on health plan rules, and individuals should verify their eligibility before contributing [9][10] - Funding an HSA when not eligible can lead to tax penalties, highlighting the need for strategic management of HSA accounts [10]

Core Insights - The importance of saving for retirement is emphasized, as it can lead to a more comfortable senior life, especially when considering that Social Security benefits only replace a limited portion of pre-retirement wages [1] Group 1: Retirement Savings Strategies - Claiming the full 401(k) match from employers is crucial to avoid missing out on free money, and employees should understand the match details and any vesting schedules [3][4] - Increasing the savings rate to fully claim the employer match may require adjustments in spending or seeking additional income sources [4][5] - Saving any raises received in 2026, whether cost-of-living or merit-based, is recommended to enhance retirement savings without feeling the impact on current finances [6][7]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of retirement savings and provides strategies for individuals aged 55 and older who may feel anxious about their retirement savings, particularly if they have $150,000 saved, which is below average for their age group [2][3]. Group 1: Retirement Savings Overview - As of Q3 2025, the average IRA balance is reported at $137,902 and the average 401(k) balance at $144,400, indicating that having $150,000 saved is slightly above average for younger individuals but concerning for those 55 and older [2]. - Individuals aged 55 or older with $150,000 saved may feel panic as they approach retirement, with only a decade or less left in the workforce [3]. Group 2: Strategies for Catching Up - Working longer can significantly aid in catching up on retirement savings, with the potential to extend working years to ages 67 or 68 instead of the traditional 62 or 63 [4]. - Delaying retirement can also allow individuals to postpone their Social Security claims, resulting in larger monthly benefits that can help compensate for lower savings [5]. Group 3: Maximizing Remaining Working Years - Individuals aged 55 and older are eligible for catch-up contributions in IRA or 401(k) plans, which can enhance their savings during the remaining working years [6]. - While maxing out a 401(k) may not be feasible immediately, increasing the savings rate is crucial, which may involve cutting expenses to free up funds for retirement accounts [7]. - Consulting a financial advisor can provide tailored strategies to improve retirement savings and reduce stress related to financial planning [8].

Core Insights - Many American workers are making small deviations in their 401(k) plans that jeopardize their retirement savings [1][2] - A significant knowledge gap exists among workers regarding 401(k) mechanisms, leading to costly mistakes [3] Group 1: Current State of 401(k) Plans - Approximately 92 million Americans have saved over $7 trillion in 401(k) plans, yet many struggle with basic understanding [2] - A study indicates that 85% of plan participants cannot answer fundamental questions about their plans [2] Group 2: Common Mistakes - Ignoring strategic contributions is a prevalent issue, with many workers defaulting to a low contribution rate of around 3% [4][5] - The lack of auto-escalation features in many 401(k) plans means workers may revert to the low default rate when changing employers [5] - A 3% contribution rate could take nearly 38 years to reach $1 million, while increasing it to 5% could achieve the same goal in 32 years, highlighting the importance of adjusting contributions with income increases [5][6]

Gold prices have surged roughly 60% in 2025 — far outpacing the S&P 500’s mid-teens gains this year (5, 6). Many investors see gold as a safe haven during rough economic times, making it a worthwhile consideration when planning your retirement nest egg.Opening a self-directed retirement account like an individual retirement account (IRA) can help you in this case. The main benefit? You can grow your assets tax-free or defer paying tax until you retire.But you might be one of many Americans who don’t have ac ...