This Is the Average 401(k) Balance for Retirees and It’s Not Enough
You know how much you have saved up in your 401(k) account. But how much does everyone else have? Mutual fund giant and retirement plan administrator Fidelity offers up this...
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This Weird Social Security Rule Could Give You Up to 6 Months of Retroactive Benefits
When you claim Social Security, you get to decide when to start benefits.
Roth IRA Phaseouts for 2025: Are You Still Eligible to Contribute Before the April Deadline?
While the calendar has long-since flipped over to 2026, you still have a few more days to contribute to an IRA for 2025. The deadline for 2025 contributions is April...
Think Social Security Will Cover Your Retirement? Here’s Why That Assumption Could Backfire.
It's easy to assume that Social Security will pay for all of your needs in retirement. After all, millions of older Americans rely on those benefits today.
These Are the 5 Cheapest States to Retire In for 2026
According to The Motley Fool's 2026 Best Places to Retire report, West Virginia has the cheapest housing costs. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive states for living...
When to Claim Social Security? The Only 3 Strategies I Recommend.
Few decisions are as important in retirement planning as when to claim Social Security. Claiming too early or waiting too long to start could leave valuable benefits on the table....
3 Big RMD Mistakes You Risk Making in Retirement
If you have your retirement savings in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you won't always have complete control over how you withdraw that money. Once you turn 73 or 75,...
If You’re 60 to 63, Here’s Why the April 15 IRA Deadline Is Especially Important This Year
You still have time to contribute to an IRA for the 2025 tax year, and it's more important than ever if you are between 60 and 63 years old. That's...
How Long Does It Take to Improve Your Credit Score? Here’s What to Know
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money...
This 401(k) Mistake Could Hurt You Before — and After — Retirement
A 401(k) is one of the most effective tools for building long-term wealth. And these days, employers tend to offer two types of 401(k) plan -- traditional and Roth.
Does Working Longer Always Increase Your Monthly Social Security Benefit?
The answer to the question of whether working longer always increases your monthly Social Security benefits is yes -- almost always. However, one exception involves Social Security spousal benefits. Here's...
The April 15 IRA Deadline Is Almost Here — Here’s What You Still Have Time to Do
April 15 is one of the more important financial dates to mark on your calendar because it's Tax Day (unless it falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case...
3 Steps Every Retiree Should Take in April Before Tax Deadline
The clock is ticking to file your federal income taxes. Surveys have found that between one-fourth and one-third of Americans wait until almost the last minute to file.
A Major Social Security Change May Be Closer Than You Think. Here’s What It Could Mean for Your Benefits
There are millions of older Americans today who rely on Social Security for income. But the program is facing a major funding shortfall in the coming years.
I’m Collecting the Average Social Security Benefit. Can I Work Part Time?
The average Social Security benefit is $2,071 for a retired worker, as of January 2026.If you're earning around the average benefit, you'd have an annual income of $24,852.
If You’re Keeping All of Your Retirement Savings in an IRA or 401(k), You’re Making a Huge Mistake
Tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s are often the backbone of a solid retirement plan, and for good reason. These accounts offer up-front tax breaks on your contributions. And investments...
4 Retirement Rules That Changed in 2026 That Every Saver Should Know
Retiring seems like a straightforward process: save enough money, stop working, and live out the rest of your golden years in financial security. However, recent tax changes, higher contribution limits...
How to Maximize Your IRA Contribution Before Your 2025 Tax Year Window Closes
While many people advocate contributing to an IRA as soon as you can afford to do so, you have until the tax deadline the following year to finalize your contributions....