Retirement Investing Basics — Where to Start
Start with tax-advantaged accounts: 401(k) (especially if employer matches — that's free money), Roth IRA (tax-free growth), Traditional IRA. Max out tax-advantaged before taxable accounts. Default to broad-market index funds: VTI (total US market), VXUS (international), BND (bonds). Add complexity later, not first.
Start with tax-advantaged accounts: 401(k) (especially if employer matches — that's free money), Roth IRA (tax-free growth), Traditional IRA. Max out tax-advantaged before taxable accounts. Default to broad-market index funds: VTI (total US market), VXUS (international), BND (bonds). Add complexity later, not first.
Tax-advantaged account priority order
This section covers tax-advantaged account priority order. For the practical framework, see our Retirement Investing hub and our blog for related analyses. Read on for context-specific guidance.
Roth vs Traditional IRA
This section covers roth vs traditional ira. For the practical framework, see our Retirement Investing hub and our blog for related analyses. Read on for context-specific guidance.
Three-fund portfolio
This section covers three-fund portfolio. For the practical framework, see our Retirement Investing hub and our blog for related analyses. Read on for context-specific guidance.
Common beginner mistakes
This section covers common beginner mistakes. For the practical framework, see our Retirement Investing hub and our blog for related analyses. Read on for context-specific guidance.