Retirement concepts,
actually explained
The numbers in your retirement plan only mean something if you understand the ideas behind them. These guides use plain English and interactive visuals — no finance degree required.
Monte Carlo Simulation
Why one projection line is a lieMarkets are unpredictable. Monte Carlo runs thousands of possible futures and tells you what fraction end well — instead of pretending one number is the answer.
Sequence of Returns Risk
Order matters more than averageTwo portfolios with identical 7% average returns can have wildly different outcomes depending on when the bad years hit. This is the most underappreciated retirement risk.
Roth vs. Traditional
Pay taxes now or pay later?Every dollar you save goes into either a Roth (pay tax now, grow tax-free) or a Traditional account (defer tax, pay later). Which wins depends entirely on your tax rates.
Required Minimum Distributions
The IRS will force you to withdrawAt 73, the IRS mandates minimum withdrawals from traditional retirement accounts. A large traditional balance can push you into higher brackets whether you need the income or not.
Social Security Timing
Claim at 62, 67, or 70?Claiming early gives you more years of income. Waiting gives you bigger checks. The break-even point, your health, and your spouse's situation all affect the optimal choice.
Ready to put it all together?
Run your retirement simulation →