Retirement Planning

Understand 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth accounts, and contribution limits. Build a tax-efficient retirement strategy that compounds for decades.

$23,500

401(k) Limit

+$7,500 catch-up at 50+

$7,000

Roth IRA Limit

Tax-free growth

$69,000

Solo 401(k) Max

Self-employed

Plan your retirement

Project your savings growth, estimate Social Security benefits, and compare 401(k) vs. IRA accounts.

Try the calculator

2026 contribution limits

Know your maximums — these reset every January 1

AccountEmployee MaxCatch-Up (50+)Total Possible

401(k) / 403(b)

$23,500

$7,500 (age 50+)

$69,000

IRA / Roth IRA

$7,000

$1,000 (age 50+)

$7,000

SEP IRA

—

$69,000 or 25% comp

Solo 401(k)

$23,500

$7,500

$69,000

Account types compared

Tax treatment and who each account type works best for

Roth IRA

$7,000/yr

ContributionsAfter-tax

WithdrawalsTax-free

Employer matchNone

Best for: Young/low earners

Traditional IRA

$7,000/yr

ContributionsPre-tax

WithdrawalsTaxed

Employer matchNone

Best for: Peak earners

401(k)

$23,500/yr

ContributionsPre-tax

WithdrawalsTaxed

Employer matchOften

Best for: Employer match available

Roth 401(k)

$23,500/yr

ContributionsAfter-tax

WithdrawalsTax-free

Employer matchOften

Best for: High earners, long horizon

Solo 401(k)

$69,000/yr

ContributionsPre-tax

WithdrawalsTaxed

Employer matchSelf

Best for: Self-employed

What most people get wrong

Four retirement concepts that change outcomes dramatically

Compound growth makes early contributions 10x more powerful

A $5,000 contribution at 25 grows to ~$108,000 by 65 at 8% returns. The same $5,000 invested at 45 grows to only ~$23,000. Starting early is worth more than investing more later.

The Roth backdoor for high earners

If your income exceeds Roth IRA limits ($161K single / $240K married in 2026), you can contribute to a Traditional IRA with no deduction, then immediately convert it to Roth — legally avoiding the income limit.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) at 73

Traditional 401(k) and IRA accounts require minimum withdrawals starting at age 73. These are taxed as income and can push you into higher brackets. Roth IRAs have no RMDs — ever.

Social Security strategy matters enormously

Claiming at 62 vs. 70 can mean a 76% difference in monthly benefit. Each year you delay past full retirement age adds 8% to your benefit. If you're healthy, delaying to 70 often pays off within 12 years.