This retirement planning guide gathers the Wyzfund articles on saving for retirement, choosing accounts and turning savings into income. The earlier you start, the more time does the work, but there are sensible steps at every age.
Contribution limits, tax rules and benefit formulas change often. The guides give examples and point to official sources, and Wyzfund Editorial publishes them as general education rather than personalized advice.
Table of contents
- Retirement planning guide: a simple order to follow
- How much and how early
- Retirement accounts
- Income in retirement
- Free calculators for this topic
- Common questions
Retirement planning guide: a simple order to follow
If you are new to this topic, read these in order.
- How Much to Save for Retirement: 7 Steps to Find Your Number
- What Is a 401(k) and How Does It Work?
- Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Is Right for You?
- Social Security Benefits: 9 Smart, Proven Facts for 2026
How much and how early
Targets, timing and the effect of compounding.
- How Much to Save for Retirement: 7 Steps to Find Your Number. How much to save for retirement? Use the 4% rule, Social Security, and age benchmarks to find your number and the monthly amount to reach it.
- How to Save for Retirement in Your 30s. How to save for retirement in your 30s — the exact milestones, accounts, and strategies to build serious wealth before 40.
- Investing for Retirement: 7 Smart, Proven Steps at Any Age. Investing for retirement can start at any age. Follow 7 steps, learn the right account order and see 2026 limits plus plans for each decade.
- Compound Interest Explained: Formula, Examples and Rule of 72. Compound interest explained simply: the formula, real examples, the Rule of 72 and how it grows your savings or your debt over time.
- What Are 401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits in 2026?. 401(k) and IRA contribution limits 2026 — the official IRS numbers, catch-up rules for every age group, and how to max out your retirement savings.
Retirement accounts
Workplace plans, IRAs and options for the self-employed.
- What Is a 401(k) and How Does It Work?.
- Traditional vs. Roth 401(k). Traditional vs. Roth 401(k) explained with real 2026 limits. Learn the tax math, employer match rules, and how to decide which one fits you.
- Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Is Right for You?. Roth IRA or Traditional IRA? We compare both accounts on taxes, withdrawals, income limits.
- Open a Roth IRA: 6 Smart, Proven Steps for 2026. Open a Roth IRA in 6 steps: check the 2026 income limits, pick a low-cost provider, fund it and invest the money so it actually grows.
- Roth IRA Under 30: Is It Worth It? 7 Key Reasons to Start. Roth IRA under 30: see 7 key reasons to open one now, how tax-free growth works, 2026 limits, and a simple 5-step plan to get started today.
- What Is a Roth Conversion and When Does It Make Sense?. Roth conversion explained for 2026 — real tax brackets, the pro-rata rule, two five-year rules, and when converting actually saves you money.
- What Is a SIMPLE IRA?. What is a SIMPLE IRA and how much can you contribute in 2026? Real limits, the mandatory employer match, and how it compares to a 401(k) or SEP IRA.
- The Ultimate SEP IRA for Freelancers Guide: Save $72,000 Tax-Free in 2026. What is a SEP IRA for freelancers and how much can you actually contribute in 2026? Learn the real limits, tax savings, and setup steps step by step.
- Solo 401k: 7 Key Facts on 2026 Limits and How to Open One. A solo 401k lets the self-employed save up to $72,000 in 2026. See the limits, the contribution math, and how to open one step by step.
Income in retirement
Social Security, required withdrawals and annuities.
- Social Security Benefits: 9 Smart, Proven Facts for 2026. Social Security benefits explained with 2026 numbers: the formula, taxes, spousal and survivor rules, and a way to estimate your own monthly check.
- When to Claim Social Security. When to claim Social Security at 62, 67, or 70? This complete 2026 guide breaks down every scenario so you can make the smartest retirement decision.
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): What Retirees Need to Know. Required minimum distributions in 2026: the exact age, deadlines, penalty (25%), and how to calculate your RMD correctly.
- What Is an Annuity and How Does It Work?. What is an annuity and how does it work in 2026? Real rates, fees, types explained, and when guaranteed retirement income actually makes sense.
Free calculators for this topic
Retirement savings calculator Compound interest calculator
Common questions
How much should I save for retirement?
It depends on your income, age, goals and expected benefits. The retirement savings calculator estimates the monthly amount needed for the income goal you enter.
Roth or traditional?
It depends on your tax rate now versus later and on the rules for your accounts. The comparison guide above sets out the trade-offs.
When should I claim Social Security?
The age you claim changes the monthly amount. The claiming guide above explains the factors to weigh.
Use this retirement planning guide as a map. It is updated as new guides are published, so come back when you need the next step.
Browse everything in this topic on the Retirement category page.
This guide is general education, not personalized financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and limits change, so check official sources for your situation.