Retirement Savings and Investments
Early Retirement Withdrawals: How to Avoid the 10% Penalty
Five penalty-free ways to tap your 401(k) or IRA before 59½. How SEPP, Rule of 55, Roth withdrawals, and two more actually work.
Financial Planning Blog & Retirement Resources
Retirement Planning
Dave Ramsey Retirement Calculator: Test His Numbers Free
Run the Dave Ramsey retirement calculator math at his 11% return and a lower one, then see what his 8% withdrawal rule means for your target.
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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.
Retirement Income
How to Apply for Social Security: 5 Steps, One Big Decision
Applying can take as little as 15 minutes. Deciding when to start matters far more, and it's hard to undo. Here's the 5-step process, plus what to weigh first.
Financial Wellness
‘Atomic Habits’ and Your Money: 6 Lessons for a Wealthier Future
Using ‘Atomic Habits’ to reach your financial goals — James Clear’s habit framework applied to wealth building and long-lasting confidence.
Taxes
Creative Tax Planning: 8 Unusual Strategies — and What Works Better
We cover 8 creative tax strategies, plus the retirement planning approach that can save you more money.
Happy Retirement
How to Find Meaning and Purpose After Retirement
Learn how to find purpose after retirement using mindfulness, ikigai, and other research-backed strategies for feeling fulfilled again.
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 Jobs
Working in Retirement: How a Job Affects Social Security, Medicare, and Taxes
Working in retirement can boost your income and your plan. See how a job affects Social Security, Medicare, and taxes, and how to find work you want.
Earning
Do Social Security Benefits Change When You Stop Working?
Social Security uses your top 35 earning years. Stop early and your projected benefit gets cut. Here’s what the math shows.
Retirement Planning
2026 Catch-Up Contribution Limits: 401(k) and IRA
After 50, you can contribute up to $32,500 to a 401(k) and $8,600 to an IRA in 2026. Here’s how catch-up limits work at every age.
Budgeting & Spending
Living on Social Security Alone: 11 Strategies for Making It Work
The average Social Security benefit for retired workers is $2,071 a month. Millions of retirees live on that. Here’s where to start.
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 Savings and Investments
What Rate of Return Should You Use for Retirement Planning? Here’s the Range.
Use 6–8% while you’re saving for retirement, 5–6% while you’re withdrawing. The right rate depends on your asset mix and timeline.
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.
Planning
Hiro Finance Is Shutting Down: Here Are the Best Alternatives for Users Looking for a Smarter Financial Planning Tool
Hiro Finance is gone. Compare the best alternatives, including a powerful AI tool built for smarter financial planning.
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.
Retirement Planning
Best Books on Retirement 2026: 27 Picks for Planning and Purpose
Books on retirement planning, purpose, and healthy aging that Boldin readers keep recommending, plus top picks for gifts.
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
5 High-Impact Retirement Planning Strategies Most People Never Use
Most people skip retirement planning strategies with the highest payoff. Here are 5 of them, including one that’s essentially free money.
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.
Annuities
Suze Orman on Annuities: Pros, Cons, Rates, and Pitfalls
What does Suze Orman say about annuities? They can offer guaranteed lifetime income, but fees, taxes, and surrender charges are real trade-offs.
Retirement Planning
Social Security Optimization Strategies: 15 Tips to Maximize Your Benefits
Delaying Social Security to 70 can add $100,000+ in lifetime benefits. These are the planning strategies that make the biggest difference.
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