Resources

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What Should I Do With My Old 401(k)?

Leaving a job doesn't necessarily mean you need to immediately move your retirement savings. Learn about the options that may be available and what to consider before making a decision.

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

There isn't a single number that works for everyone. Learn about the factors that can influence how much you'll need to support your retirement goals.

Understanding Your Investment Portfolio

Your portfolio should have a purpose. Learn about diversification, risk, investment time horizons and other considerations when evaluating your investments.

When Should I Start Taking Social Security?

The timing of Social Security can be an important part of your retirement-income strategy. Learn about the factors to consider before deciding when to claim benefits.

10 Questions to Ask Before You Retire

Retirement is about more than reaching a certain age or account balance. These questions can help you think through your income, investments, expenses and goals before you leave the workforce.

1. Do you know exactly how much income you'll need each month in retirement?

Yes — I have a detailed retirement budget.

I have a rough idea.

Not really.

I have no idea where to start.

2. Do you know when you should claim Social Security?

Yes, I have a specific strategy.

I have an idea, but I'm not sure.

I'm planning to claim it as soon as I'm eligible.

I haven't thought about it yet.

3. If the market dropped 20–30% shortly after you retired, would your retirement plan still work?

Yes, I have a strategy for market downturns.

Probably, but I'm not certain.

That would make me very uncomfortable.

I'm not sure.

4. Do you know how much you can safely withdraw from your retirement accounts each year?

Yes.

I have a general idea.

I'm guessing.

No.

5. Have you planned for taxes in retirement?

Yes — I have a tax strategy.

Somewhat.

I haven't really considered it.

I assumed my taxes would automatically be lower.

6. Do you have a plan for healthcare and long-term care expenses?

Yes, and I know what my plan will cost.

I have Medicare/insurance, but I'm unsure about the gaps.

I haven't figured it out yet.

This is one of my biggest concerns.

7. If your spouse or partner died unexpectedly, would the surviving spouse have enough income to maintain their lifestyle?

Yes.

Probably.

I'm not sure.

No — we haven't planned for that.

8. What is your biggest retirement concern right now?

Running out of money

Losing money in the market

Paying too much in taxes

Healthcare and long-term care costs

Social Security

Leaving money to my family

I'm not sure what my biggest concern is

9. Do you have a written retirement income plan?

Yes, and I review it regularly.

I have a plan, but it's not written down.

I have several accounts but no comprehensive plan.

No.

10. If you retired tomorrow, how confident would you be that your money would last for the rest of your life?

Extremely confident

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Not very confident

Not confident at all

Your Retirement Readiness

If several of your answers raised questions, you're not alone.

Retirement planning involves more than simply knowing your account balances. Your income, Social Security, investments, taxes, healthcare, and unexpected expenses all need to work together.

Your First Year of Retirement

The transition from earning a paycheck to relying on your retirement resources can involve a number of financial decisions.

Should I Roll Over My 401(k)?

There may be several options available when you leave an employer. Learn what to consider before moving your retirement savings.

Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA

Understand some of the basic differences between traditional and Roth IRAs and the types of decisions that may affect which account is appropriate for your circumstances.

What Is a Direct Rollover?

A direct rollover can move eligible retirement assets from one retirement plan to another qualifying plan or IRA without the distribution being paid directly to you. Learn about the basic mechanics and questions to consider.

Understanding Diversification

Diversification means spreading investments among different investments or asset categories rather than concentrating everything in one place. Learn why diversification is an important consideration when building a portfolio.

Risk & Return

Every investment involves risk. Understanding the relationship between potential return, risk, time horizon and your financial goals can help you make more informed investment decisions.

How Often Should I Review My Portfolio?

Your financial situation can change over time. Learn about some of the circumstances that may warrant a review of your investment strategy.

Social Security Retirement Planner

The Social Security Administration provides calculators and planning tools to help estimate retirement benefits and understand how claiming age can affect benefits. 

IRS Retirement Plans & IRA Resources

The IRS provides information on 401(k)s, IRAs, rollovers, contribution limits, distributions and other retirement-plan topics. 

The SEC's Investor.gov provides educational information about investing, investment products, diversification, fees and investment risk.