Retirement accounts in general
Tax Features of IRAs
A look at the various tax benefits associated with IRAs, and how they compare for traditional accounts and Roth accounts.
Roth retirement accounts
For many of us, Roth accounts offer advantages over traditional IRA and 401k accounts.
What Hath Roth Wrought
Introductory material about Roth retirement accounts.
To Roth or Not to Roth
Pages dealing with the choice between traditional retirement accounts and Roth accounts.
Contributions to Roth Accounts
Full explanation of the contribution rules.
Roth Conversions
Converting a traditional retirement account to a Roth account.
Recharacterizations
These rules allow you to change certain steps you took earlier.
Managing Your Retirement Account
Steps to take during the lifetime of the account.
Roth Distributions
The final stage in the life cycle of a Roth account.
Designated Roth Accounts
These are Roth accounts in 401k and similar plans, including 403b and 457b plans as well as the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan.
See also
Reference Room
Tax brackets, retirement contribution limits and other figures that adjust annually for inflation.
Social Security
This part of our web site explains key facts about the retirement benefit provided by the Social Security program.
Overview of Social Security Retirement Benefits
A brief outline of how the social security retirement benefit works, and the issues discussed in this guide.
Covered Wages and Social Security Tax
This page briefly explains how the social security tax applies and includes a table of covered wages.
Full Retirement Age
A chart on this page shows when you reach full retirement age (also called normal retirement age) for purposes of the social security system.
Understanding the Social Security Benefit Calculation
You aren’t likely to go through all the number crunching needed to do the actual calculation, but it can be useful to get a better understanding of how the calculation works.
Social Security Change When You Work an Additional Year
If you’re considering whether or not to continue working (or return to work), one factor might be the effect this would have on your social security retirement benefit.
Choosing When to Start Receiving Social Security Retirement Benefits
You can start your benefits any time between age 62 and age 70, receiving a larger benefit if you delay.
Earnings Test for Early Retirees
If you decide to start receiving retirement benefits before full retirement age, your benefit can be reduced on account of earnings you have during that period.
Social Security Reduction for Early Start
Your retirement benefit is permanently reduced if you decide to start receiving it before reaching full retirement age.
Social Security Increase for Late Start
You can receive an increased benefit if you delay the start of payments past your full retirement age.
Understanding Life Expectancy
Your life expectancy changes as you grow older, so you may have more time left than you think.