Better retirements start with clarity
Practical explainers, templates, and frameworks for U.S. households planning the next chapter. Everything we publish is jargon-light and research-backed.
The content on this blog is for educational purposes only. fidser is not a licensed financial advisor - please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
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54 articles found
Asset Allocation in Retirement: Balancing Growth and Safety
You've spent decades building your nest egg, and now you're ready to shift gears. But here's the challenge: you might spend more years in retirement than you did saving for it. The old playbook of parking everything in bonds the day you retire? It could leave you vulnerable to a different kind of risk.
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Roth Conversions: Is Paying Taxes Now Worth It?
You've spent decades saving in your 401(k) or traditional IRA, but there's a catch: Uncle Sam still wants his share. What if you could lock in today's tax rate and never pay taxes on that money again? That's the promise of a Roth conversion, but timing is everything.
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Required Minimum Distributions: Complete Guide for 2024
You spent decades building your retirement nest egg, but at age 73, Uncle Sam wants his cut. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning, and the penalties for getting them wrong can be brutal.
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The Best Order to Withdraw from Retirement Accounts
You've spent decades building your retirement nest egg across different accounts. Now comes the tricky part: figuring out which bucket to tap first without triggering unnecessary taxes or running out of money too soon.
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How Much Do You Really Need to Retire? The Truth About the 4% Rule
You've probably heard the 4% rule thrown around at dinner parties or seen it in headlines. But what does it actually mean for your retirement, and is following this decades-old guideline still the smartest move in 2024?
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HSA in Retirement: The Triple Tax Advantage You're Missing
Most people treat their Health Savings Account like a checking account for medical bills. But here's what financial planners know: your HSA might be the most powerful retirement account you're not using to its full potential. With triple tax advantages that even beat your 401(k), it's time to rethink your HSA strategy.
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Healthcare Coverage Before 65: Your Complete Guide
You've crunched the retirement numbers and it looks promising. But then you remember: Medicare doesn't start until 65. If you're planning to retire early, healthcare coverage is likely your biggest question mark, and possibly your biggest expense.
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Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare: Which Is Right for You?
You're turning 65 and suddenly everyone has an opinion about Medicare. Your neighbor swears by her Medicare Advantage plan. Your sister insists Original Medicare is the only way to go. Here's the truth: both can be excellent choices, but the right one depends entirely on your specific situation.
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Catch-Up Contributions After 50: Your Secret Weapon
If you've hit the big 5-0, here's some genuinely exciting news: the IRS just handed you a secret weapon for your retirement savings. Catch-up contributions let you stash away thousands more each year than younger savers can, and most people don't take full advantage of this opportunity.
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How to Model 'What If' Scenarios for Retirement
What if the market crashes the year you retire? What if you live to 95 instead of 85? The most successful retirees don't just hope for the best, they plan for multiple futures. Here's how to model the scenarios that matter most.
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2026 401(k) Limits: What Changed & How to Maximize Savings
The IRS just announced the 2026 401(k) contribution limits, and there are some important changes you need to know about. Whether you're in your peak earning years or playing catch-up on retirement savings, understanding these new limits could mean thousands more in your nest egg.
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Medicare Costs in 2026: What You'll Actually Pay
Medicare premiums and deductibles typically increase each year, and 2026 is no exception. If you're already enrolled or turning 65 soon, understanding these changes helps you budget accurately and potentially reduce what you pay.
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Medicare 101: Your Complete Guide to Getting Started
Turning 65 soon? Medicare can feel like learning a new language with all its parts, periods, and penalties. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know before your enrollment window opens.
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7 Smart Ways to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits
Did you know that when you claim Social Security can increase your monthly check by as much as 77%? These seven strategies can help you make the most of benefits you've spent decades earning.
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Working While on Social Security: The Truth About Benefits
Thinking about taking on part-time work after starting Social Security? You're not alone, and you're not risking your benefits the way you might think. Here's what the earnings test really means for your retirement income.
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Maximize Your Social Security as a Married Couple
You've spent decades building a life together. Now it's time to make sure you're getting every dollar you've earned from Social Security. The right spousal benefit strategy could mean tens of thousands more in retirement income.
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Social Security COLA 2026: What It Means for Your Check
The Social Security COLA for 2026 will affect millions of retirees. But will this cost-of-living adjustment actually keep up with your real expenses? Here's what you need to know about how it's calculated and what it means for your budget.
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SECURE 2.0 Act in 2026: New Rules That Affect Your Retirement
If you have a retirement account, a 529 plan, or you're still paying student loans while trying to save for retirement, 2026 brings significant changes that could reshape your financial strategy. The SECURE 2.0 Act continues rolling out provisions designed to help Americans save more effectively.
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Understanding Tax Brackets in Retirement: Pay Less, Keep More
Here's a retirement myth that costs Americans thousands: the assumption that you'll automatically drop to a lower tax bracket when you stop working. The reality? Many retirees end up paying just as much, or even more, in taxes than they did during their working years.
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IRA Contribution Limits 2026: Traditional vs Roth Rules
Planning to open an IRA in 2026? The rules just got a little more complex. Between contribution limits, income phase-outs, and deductibility caps, choosing between Traditional and Roth IRAs can feel like navigating a maze with your retirement savings on the line.
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Will My Money Last? The One Question That Matters Most
Forget the noise about stocks, bonds, and asset allocation for a moment. Every retirement planning question boils down to one simple concern: will your money last as long as you do?
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Do You Actually Need a Financial Advisor? The Truth
You've been managing your money for decades. But as retirement gets closer, the stakes feel higher. Do you really need to pay someone thousands of dollars to tell you what to do with your hard-earned savings?
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How Long Will You Live? Why It Matters for Retirement
The average American lives to 77, but planning for average could leave you broke at 85. Understanding longevity risk isn't morbid, it's the smartest financial move you'll make.
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Behind on Retirement Savings? You're Not Alone
If you're looking at your retirement account and feeling that pit in your stomach, take a breath. You're not alone, and it's not too late. Here's how to catch up on retirement savings without panic or shame.
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Your Net Worth Isn't the Only Retirement Number
You've hit a $500,000 net worth milestone, but could you actually retire tomorrow? Probably not. Here's why your net worth is only part of your retirement readiness picture, and which numbers matter just as much.
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Retirement Planning for One-Income Households
Supporting a family on one income is already challenging. Planning retirement on one income? That can feel overwhelming. But here's the truth: single-income households can build secure retirements with the right strategies.
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Downsizing in Retirement: When It Makes Sense (and When It Doesn't)
Everyone assumes you should downsize when you retire, but is that always the right move? The truth is more nuanced than the conventional wisdom suggests, and making the wrong choice could cost you thousands.
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What If You Want to Work Part-Time in Retirement?
Retirement doesn't have to mean stopping work completely. More Americans are choosing semi-retirement, blending part-time work with leisure. But how does earning even $15,000 a year change your retirement plan? The answer might surprise you.
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The Emotional Side of Retirement Planning Nobody Talks About
You've crunched the numbers, checked your 401(k) balance, and maybe even talked to a financial advisor. So why do you still feel anxious about retirement? Here's what nobody tells you: the emotional side of retirement planning can be just as challenging as the financial part.
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How Federal Taxes Work in Retirement (Not What You Expect)
Here's a surprise: not all retirement income is taxed the same way. Some of your money will be fully taxed, some partially taxed, and some tax-free. Understanding which is which could save you thousands every year.
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Sequence of Returns Risk: Why Early Retirement Years Matter Most
Two retirees start with identical nest eggs, experience the exact same market returns, and withdraw the same amount each year. Yet one runs out of money 15 years before the other. How is this possible? The answer lies in a retirement risk most people have never heard of.
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How Much Should You Have Saved by 50? (Why the Rules Are Wrong)
You've probably heard you should have six times your salary saved by 50. But what if you earn $200,000 and live on $50,000? Or make $60,000 but spend every penny? The popular benchmarks miss the entire point of retirement planning.
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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retiring?
You've been dreaming about retirement for years, but there's one big question keeping you up at night: should you use your savings to pay off the mortgage, or carry it into retirement? The answer isn't what you think.
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Healthcare Before 65: The Gap Most Retirees Forget to Budget For
You've saved diligently in your 401(k), mapped out your Social Security strategy, and maybe even paid off your mortgage. But there's a critical expense many early retirees overlook: health insurance in the years before Medicare eligibility at 65.
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The Hidden Cost: How Inflation Quietly Erodes Your Retirement
You've saved diligently for decades, built a solid nest egg, and feel confident about retirement. But there's a silent force working against you every single day: inflation. While you sleep, while you work, while you plan, inflation is quietly reducing what your retirement dollars will actually buy.
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Why Retirement Calculators Give You Different Answers
You've tried three retirement calculators and gotten three wildly different answers. One says you're on track, another says you need $500,000 more, and the third suggests you could retire five years early. What's going on?
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Retiring at 55 vs 60 vs 65: The Tradeoffs Nobody Explains
Most retirement advice pushes you toward 65, but what if you want out earlier? Here's what actually happens to your healthcare, Social Security benefits, and savings when you retire at 55, 60, or 65 (and why there's no single right answer).
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What Is Monte Carlo Simulation? (And Why Retirement Tools Use It)
You've probably seen it: your retirement calculator shows an '85% success rate' or a '70% probability of success.' But what do these numbers actually mean? And why do so many retirement planning tools rely on something called Monte Carlo simulation?
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401(k) vs IRA vs Roth: Where Your Retirement Money Lives
You've heard the terms 401(k), IRA, and Roth thrown around for years. But do you actually know what they ARE? Not which one is "better," but what these accounts fundamentally do with your money? Let's clear up the confusion once and for all.
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What If You Get a Big Inheritance? How to Think About Windfalls
That inheritance you might receive someday? It could change your retirement, but here's why you shouldn't count on it yet. Smart planners model windfalls as scenarios, not guarantees, and the difference matters more than you think.
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How Much Do Couples Actually Spend in Retirement?
You've probably heard you need $2 million for retirement. Or maybe someone told you that you'll spend 70% of your working income. But what do couples actually spend once they retire? The real data might surprise you.
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The 4% Rule: What It Is and Why It's Just a Starting Point
You've probably heard that you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement savings each year. But where did this rule come from, and can you really trust it with your financial future? Here's what every American nearing retirement should know about the most famous guideline in retirement planning.
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What Happens to Your Partner's Social Security If You Die First?
It's the conversation most couples avoid, but it's one of the most important financial planning discussions you'll ever have. If you die before your spouse, what happens to your Social Security benefits? The answer could mean thousands of dollars a year in retirement income for your partner.
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Claiming Social Security at 62 vs 67 vs 70: The Math
Your Social Security claiming decision could mean a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. But here's the surprising truth: there's no universal 'right' answer. The math tells a different story for everyone.
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The Retirement Spreadsheet Trap: Why DIY Calculations Fail
You've spent hours perfecting your retirement spreadsheet, tweaking formulas and watching those numbers compound into a comfortable future. But what if your carefully crafted calculations are missing critical factors that could derail your retirement by years?
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How Social Security Gets Calculated (Plain English)
You've paid into Social Security for decades, but do you actually know how your benefit gets calculated? Most people have no idea what AIME, PIA, or bend points mean. Let's break down the Social Security calculation in plain English so you can actually understand what you'll get in retirement.
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When One Partner Wants to Retire Before the Other
Sarah's counting down to her 62nd birthday when she can finally retire, but her husband Mark plans to work until 67. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Millions of couples navigate different retirement timelines, and it's more complex than just deciding who leaves work first.
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What 'Retirement Ready' Actually Means (It's Simpler Than You Think)
You've seen the retirement readiness checklists with 47 items to check off before you can even think about leaving work. But here's the truth: retirement readiness isn't about perfection. It's about answering one critical question with confidence.
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How to Talk to Your Partner About Retirement (Without Starting a Fight)
You've rehearsed this conversation in your head a dozen times, but every time you try to bring up retirement planning with your partner, it ends in silence, defensiveness, or a full-blown argument. You're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong.
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The 2026 Catch-Up Shuffle: SECURE 2.0's Roth Mandate
If you earn over $145,000 and plan to max out your 401(k) catch-up contributions in 2026, there's a significant tax change you need to know about right now. Starting January 1, your catch-up dollars must go into Roth accounts—no exceptions, no deductions.
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Retire on Your Terms: The 2026 Pre-Retirement Checklist
You've spent decades building your career, but have you built your exit strategy? Whether you're 35 and dreaming of early retirement or 55 and realizing time is shorter than you thought, this comprehensive checklist will help you retire on your terms—not your employer's.
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Retiring at 55? Here's What You Really Need to Know
Retiring at 55 sounds like a dream, but is it realistic for you? The good news: it's more achievable than you might think. The catch: you'll need to navigate some financial hurdles most retirees don't face.
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The 7 Biggest Retirement Mistakes People Don’t Realize They’re Making
Retirement isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Some people dream of quiet mornings gardening, others of globetrotting adventures. Whatever your vision, a few sneaky mistakes can derail even the best-laid plans. The good news? Most of them are easy to spot — and even easier to fix once you know what to look for.Here are seven common pitfalls and how to sidestep them.
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How Much Do I Really Need to Retire? (Spoiler: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All)
Ah, the million-dollar question. Literally. “How much money do I actually need to retire?”Here’s the thing: there isn’t a magic number. Retirement isn’t like ordering a combo meal where everyone gets the same fries and drink.It’s more like building your own sandwich—you decide how big, how fancy, and how many extras you want.The good news? You don’t need to be a millionaire to retire comfortably. What you need is a plan, some smart habits, and a realistic view of what your lifestyle will look like when you’re not working.Let’s walk through the essentials—using the 4% rule and a few country-specific examples from the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.
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