How to Begin Saving For Retirement

Evaluate your net worth is the first article in the Top Steps Before You Retire series. Before quitting your job, gaining an understanding of your existing assets and liabilities is critical. While you should also consider your anticipated income and expenses in retirement, it’s best to evaluate what you own and what you owe first, since life’s unpredictability, not to mention the potential…

An introduction to 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and the importance of early saving to a successful retirement plan.

To save for retirement, learn and follow these four simple steps.

Although the steps to successful retirement planning are easy to understand, many people fail to follow them. Share your thoughts and experiences on this important topic.

When planning for retirement, one of the most challenging questions is "How much do I need to save?" Although there's no one-size-fits-all answer, there are numerous considerations. Learn what to think about and how to incorporate your personal goals into your individual retirement saving plan. It's much easier to save when you know what you're...

Ideally, you'd be able to contribute to every available type of retirement plan. Somehow, the reality of daily living prevents that from being possible for most people. Therefore, it's important to choose your accounts wisely. Here's a discussion of what to consider when you feel that you have enough money to contribute to a 401(k) or a Roth IRA - but not both.

Although similar to the more common 401K plan, a 403B plan has it's own particular considerations. If you work for school, hospital, or other non-profit, this is a must-read.

If you work for a state or local government (or are among the highest-paid employees of a non-profit corporation), make sure you understand your 457 options.

Understand the special considerations of retirement planning as a woman.

So you want to take care of your entire family’s retirement? Here are three key ways to take the whole family into account as part of your retirement plan.

Almost half of our readers think saving $1,000,000 is necessary for a comfortable retirement. How much money do you think you need to retire?

Almost half of our readers think saving $1,000,000 is necessary for a comfortable retirement. How much money do you think you need to retire?

An often overlooked tax credit, the Retirement Saver's Credit could help you save for retirement with help from the government. Are you eligible?

Should you die early, your will determines who takes care of your minor children. A will may also help you with the disposition of some of the things you own. However, certain beneficiary designations can override the wishes of your will. Find out how to avoid passing an unexpected hardship to your heirs.

When it comes to your defined benefit pension, learn what is and is not protected by the PBGC.

Federal government employees have the option to participate in thrift savings plans (TSP)s which work very similarly to a 401K. Learn about TSPs and other considerations for retirement planning as a federal government employee.

Don't make New Years resolutions you can't keep. Make them realistic and make them count. Making the right financial New Year's resolutions today can improve how you live in retirement.

Learn how to ensure the tax-advantaged features of certain retirement plans are preserved even when accounts are split up due to divorce.

"Tenants in common" is a specific way to title real estate. Learn how this affects the execution of your will if you pass away.

"Tenants by the Entirety" is a common way to title real estate. This form of ownership affects the implementation of a will, should the property owner pass away.

Joint Tenancy is a common way to title assets, often including real estate. Learn how it affects the execution of your will if you pass away.

Learn how this important legislation from 2006 changed retirement planning.

In order to be able to save for retirement, first you need to be saving. Period. Here's an article with 10 saving strategies.

Retirement planning can seem overwhelming. Like most big projects, however, it's much more manageable when you break it up into a series of achievable goals. This articles gives you 10 places to begin.

Evaluate Your Projected Retirement Cash-Flow is the second article in the Top Steps Before You Retire series. Before you quit your job, gaining an understanding of your projected income and expenses is crucial. While you should also consider your net worth, learning how your income and expenses will change (i.e., how much of a decrease in each) in retirement will help you prepare for yo…

Think you are ready to retire? Make sure you have considered these five important top steps.

Before you retire, identify and fill in any insurance coverage gaps which will be created when you stop working.

Many people give little thought to how they will spend their time in retirement. After all, the biggest use of their time - working - will be no more. While many retirees report a near honeymoon- like period for the first six to nine months of retirement, many report an eventual urge to become more productive in retirement than they had...

Make sure your decisions during retirement - from how your assets will pass to medical treatments – go as you intend. Long before you quit your job, understanding and influencing what would happen to you and your things if you were unable to make decisions for yourself is critical.

Have you started saving for retirement with an IRA? There are important steps to take before you start.

Your maximum IRA contribution limit is based on several factors including your earned income, marital status, total income, age, date, and year. While the amount you can afford will also play in a role in how much you ultimately save for retirement with an IRA, understanding the general parameters of the tax law enables you to aim for the maximum.

While both types of IRAs present excellent opportunities to save for retirement, choosing the right one is worth the effort. The IRAs differ in several ways including tax deductibility, taxation during retirement, and the impact of your current income. Your expectations for the future also play a role.

Now that you have opened an IRA, you should start funding it. Read here to learn more.

The last step in the How to Save for Retirement With an IRA series is to invest your IRA money. Learn how here!

No matter the state of the housing market, your home should never be your retirement plan.

This metaphor was commonly used for retirement planning. Things have changed.

Generally, the average income earner can develop their own retirement plan. However, there are instances where you should seek professional help.

Savings accounts may not be as popular as they once were, but can be a great emergency fund.

If you have a home, you most likely have a mortgage. Although not the ideal savings plan, a mortgage can help you save for retirement.

Long term care can be financially devastating. It's important to plan ahead and protect yourself.

How much do you need to have saved before retirement? The short answer is: as much as you can.

Are you and your spouse planning for the same retirement? Discussing retirement as a couple can help you plan for a shared ideal future.