Retirement Planning
Americans Want to Live to 91. How Long Will Your Retirement Last?
Retirement planning assumes a lifespan of 79, but most Americans hope to live longer. Here’s how your plan can last as long as you do.
Articles by Scott Staton
Retirement Planning
Retirement Spending Plan: How to Know If Your Number Is Right
Retirement spending estimates are often too low, but a retirement spending plan can change that. Here’s how to keep your money from running out.
Retirement Planning
Boldin vs. Empower: Which Retirement Planner Is Best for You?
Empower shows you what you own. Boldin models whether it lasts. See how they compare on planning depth, tax strategy, pricing, and advisor access.
Social Security
Social Security Breakeven Calculator: Compare Claiming Ages
Skip the generic age-80 estimate. Find your exact Social Security breakeven age from your own birth year and benefit.
Retirement Planning
ProjectionLab vs. Boldin: Which Retirement Planner Is Best for You?
Boldin is a retirement planner with AI, Monte Carlo, and Roth optimization. ProjectionLab is a modeling sandbox. Here’s how they compare.
Medicare and Health Insurance
Social Security and Medicare Mistakes That Can Cost You for Life
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage, Social Security timing, and the enrollment errors that follow you permanently.
Retirement Planning
How to Build a DIY Retirement Plan Without Going It Alone
Most people do DIY retirement planning on their own. Here’s why a small peer group and tools you control can change everything.
Retirement Planning
Retirement Planning Near Me: How to Find and Compare Options
Compare local retirement planners, CFPs, and fee-only advisors: what they charge and how to vet them. Plus DIY options, free or $168 a year.
Taxes
How to Pay Taxes in Retirement and Avoid IRS Penalties
Paying taxes in retirement means managing income streams, quarterly deadlines, and the IRS safe harbor, without an employer doing it for you.
Retirement Planning
ChatGPT for Retirement Planning: Does It Work?
Using ChatGPT for retirement planning? We asked ChatGPT and Boldin AI the same question: “Can I retire?” This is how they replied.
Retirement Savings and Investments
CalSavers: What California Workers and Employers Need to Know
Learn how CalSavers applies to California workers and employers, including automatic Roth IRA enrollment, payroll deductions, and benefits.
Retirement Savings and Investments
Retirement Account Contribution Order: How to Get More From Every Dollar
The contribution order for retirement accounts can affect how much your money compounds tax-free. Here’s how to prioritize for tax efficiency.
Taxes
Capital Gains Tax Brackets: How Income Pushes Your Rate Higher
Long-term capital gains are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% in 2026. See the brackets by filing status and how other income pushes your rate higher.
Retirement Savings and Investments
401(k) Calculator: See Your Balance at Retirement
See your projected 401(k) balance in seconds, employer match included, using 2026 contribution limits. Free calculator, no email required.
Taxes
Roth Conversions Cost Less When Markets Are Down
A market drop lowers what you’ll owe on a Roth conversion. Learn how to turn a portfolio pullback into a long-term tax win.
Retirement Planning
‘Do We Have Enough?’ How This Couple Knew When to Retire
Leslie and Thomas Martin stress-tested their portfolio and gained the confidence to retire with a personalized financial strategy.
Retirement Savings and Investments
James Choi’s Formula: How Much Should You Invest in Stocks?
James Choi’s investing model suggests your stock allocation should depend on income, savings, and future earnings, not just age.
Financial Advisors
Fiduciary Meaning: What a Fiduciary Is and Why It Matters
Fiduciary means someone bound by law to act in your best interest. See the definition, examples, duties, and how to tell if your advisor is one.
Retirement Savings and Investments
Roth Conversions: How They Work and When to Do One
Roth conversions move pretax retirement savings into a tax-free Roth account. You pay taxes now to avoid them later. Here’s when it’s worth it.
Retirement Planning
Best States to Retire in 2026: Where the Rankings Agree
Wyoming ranks in the top five of four major retirement rankings. See which states the lists agree on, where they split, and why.
Reverse Mortgages
Reverse Mortgage Calculator: How Much Could You Get?
See how much you could get from a reverse mortgage based on your age and home value, without personal information.
Retirement Savings and Investments
Portfolio Diversification: How to Measure What You Own
Most retirement portfolios look diversified by account. What they hold across all accounts is a different question. Here’s how to check.
Retirement Savings and Investments
Should You Invest in Crypto for Retirement?
Most advisors who allow crypto cap it at 1% to 5% of a portfolio. See how volatility, RMDs, and estate risk shape the right amount.
