Retirement and investment resources
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Refinancing Your Mortgage Loan as a Retirement Strategy: Is It Right for You?
As retirement approaches, financial stability becomes a paramount concern. Like many other Americans, your home is not only a place of comfort but might also be the largest asset or liability in your portfolio. Refinancing your mortgage is a common strategic move to enhance your financial situation as you transition into retirement. This guide will explore how to use refinancing effectively as part of a comprehensive mortgage and retirement planning strategy.

Are CDs Good For Retirement? What You Need to Know About Retirement CDs
When planning for retirement, it’s crucial to diversify your savings to balance risk and ensure steady growth. One popular savings option that has gained attention over the past year is the Certificate of Deposit (CD). So, are CDs good for retirement? Let’s learn more. This guide will explore whether retirement CDs are a good option for your retirement savings and how to incorporate them into your retirement planning.

Retirement plan checklist
Retirement planning can be a complex task that requires careful consideration to ensure you have enough funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle during your golden years.

Investing 101: Investing for Beginners
In this beginner's guide, you'll learn what platforms are available for you to invest on, the pros and cons of each one and the types of accounts you may want to get started with.

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? Pros and Cons
As retirement approaches, many homeowners begin to consider their financial landscape, particularly their mortgage—their most significant monthly expense. Often, the dilemma is: should I pay off my mortgage before I retire? Effective management of your mortgage loan situation as you near retirement is crucial. Making the correct choice will ensure financial stability and reduce stress in your later years. Deciding whether to pay off your mortgage before retirement or continue with regular payments should be on your retirement planning checklist.

Retirement Planning Guide: Why Retirement Planning is Important and How to Get Started
As we age, ensuring that we have enough resources to sustain our desired lifestyle becomes increasingly critical. Thus, understanding why retirement planning is essential is the first step toward securing your future. Without a solid plan, you might face financial challenges during retirement, such as inadequate savings, high medical expenses, and an inability to cover basic living costs. On the other hand, by planning ahead, you can enjoy your retirement years without worrying about financial uncertainties.
With a solid retirement plan, you can achieve your dreams and maintain your desired lifestyle. Start with this retirement planning guide to learn how to navigate the complexities of saving and investing for the future.

Estate Planning Documents: Four Important Estate Planning Documents You Need
Estate planning allows you, not the courts, to make important decisions about your assets in the event you are incapacitated or deceased. Take a look at this lesson to learn about four documents that are essential to any estate plan.

Three Retirement Topics to Plan For
Retirement. You’ve spent all your life preparing, dreaming and working towards that day when you get to trade your morning commute for a cruise to the Bahamas or grab a set of golf clubs on your way out the door instead of your briefcase. Whatever your ideal retirement looks like, they should all have a few things in common: Relaxing, fulfilling, secure, etc. But what you shouldn’t have to do is worry about money or pick up extra work out of necessity or financial hardships. To help make sure that your retirement years are some of the best of your life, take these three steps towards financial wellness.
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401k calculator: How to calculate 401k contributions
An employer-sponsored 401(k) account is one of the best methods for building retirement savings. There are two key advantages. First, any contributions made to your 401(k) now are tax deferred, so each year's total taxable income will be lower. Second, some employers provide 401(k) match programs where they contribute to your 401(k) account. Depending on the program, employer contributions can range from 0% to 100% of your contributions.
Use our 401(k) calculator to estimate how much you will have saved for retirement based on your current retirement savings plan. You can also adjust the fields based on how much you plan to contribute to increase your savings. It’s called retirement planning because you will need to figure out how to live comfortably when you eventually stop working. If you plan ahead and save as much money as possible between now and then, you can keep your current lifestyle and enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about money. You might need more than just Social Security income to get by in your golden years, especially as prices continue to rise.
A 401(k) savings account is the most popular way to save for retirement. But you can supplement your retirement contributions by opening an individual retirement account (IRA) in addition to your 401(k). Use this tool to determine if you need to save more to retire on your terms based on how much you currently contribute through your job.
To use our 401(k) calculator, you will need to enter information about your job, including your current annual income, contribution percentage, current age, retirement age and details about your 401(k) balance. See below for more information:

Roth 401k vs Traditional 401k Calculator: Compare and Plan Your Retirement
Preparing for retirement involves making strategic financial decisions. Contributions to a Traditional 401(k) plan or individual retirement accounts are made on a pre-tax basis, resulting in a lower tax bill, and higher take-home pay. Contributions made to a Roth 401(k) or IRA are made on an after-tax basis, which means that taxes are paid on the amount contributed in the current year. The reverse is true once you are eligible to make withdrawals. Withdrawals from Traditional plans are taxable, while those made from a Roth are not. Effective retirement planning can help individuals strategically allocate contributions to Traditional and Roth accounts, balancing current tax benefits with future tax-free withdrawals.

Debt Payoff Calculator: Should You Pay Off Mortgage or Invest?
Having a credit union savings account is important, especially when the savings are part of an emergency fund or a hedge against a loss of income. However, when you also want to manage debt, in the form of an outstanding credit card balance or loan, you might want to consider your debt repayment strategies and whether you are better off using the money you have in savings to pay down debt. Whether it makes sense or not is determined by the interest rate you are earning on your savings versus the loan rates you are being charged on your outstanding loan balance. The difference between earning interest and paying it should give you a good indication of where you can get the best return.
Latest resources
Are CDs Good For Retirement? What You Need to Know About Retirement CDs
When planning for retirement, it’s crucial to diversify your savings to balance risk and ensure steady growth. One popular savings option that has gained attention over the past year is the Certificate of Deposit (CD). So, are CDs good for retirement? Let’s learn more. This guide will explore whether retirement CDs are a good option for your retirement savings and how to incorporate them into your retirement planning.
Retirement Planning Guide: Why Retirement Planning is Important and How to Get Started
As we age, ensuring that we have enough resources to sustain our desired lifestyle becomes increasingly critical. Thus, understanding why retirement planning is essential is the first step toward securing your future. Without a solid plan, you might face financial challenges during retirement, such as inadequate savings, high medical expenses, and an inability to cover basic living costs. On the other hand, by planning ahead, you can enjoy your retirement years without worrying about financial uncertainties.
With a solid retirement plan, you can achieve your dreams and maintain your desired lifestyle. Start with this retirement planning guide to learn how to navigate the complexities of saving and investing for the future.
Refinancing Your Mortgage Loan as a Retirement Strategy: Is It Right for You?
As retirement approaches, financial stability becomes a paramount concern. Like many other Americans, your home is not only a place of comfort but might also be the largest asset or liability in your portfolio. Refinancing your mortgage is a common strategic move to enhance your financial situation as you transition into retirement. This guide will explore how to use refinancing effectively as part of a comprehensive mortgage and retirement planning strategy.
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? Pros and Cons
As retirement approaches, many homeowners begin to consider their financial landscape, particularly their mortgage—their most significant monthly expense. Often, the dilemma is: should I pay off my mortgage before I retire? Effective management of your mortgage loan situation as you near retirement is crucial. Making the correct choice will ensure financial stability and reduce stress in your later years. Deciding whether to pay off your mortgage before retirement or continue with regular payments should be on your retirement planning checklist.
What is an IRA and Should I Invest in One?
If you’re getting ready to save for retirement, you may be thinking of opening what’s known as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This is a common retirement savings tool to help you make the most of your hard-earned money. There are many different types of IRAs to choose from. Making the right choice all depends on your finances and future plans for your savings.
Retirement plan checklist
Retirement planning can be a complex task that requires careful consideration to ensure you have enough funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle during your golden years.
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View AllRetirement plan checklist
Retirement planning can be a complex task that requires careful consideration to ensure you have enough funds to maintain a comfortable lifestyle during your golden years.
NFTs: What is NFT (Non-Fungible Token)?
There’s a new type of digital commodity on the market. NFTs have been gaining a lot of notoriety among traders, investors, and collectors. So, what are NFTs, and why are they causing such a fuss? Learn more about these unique digital assets and why they’re being called the future of trading.
Introduction to Charitable Giving
Philanthropy and charitable giving, once thought to be reserved for the wealthy and the elite, has become a common theme across much of today’s society. Charitable organizations fill a vital niche in our communities. They serve the public and support initiatives that may not be covered by the public or private sector and help create thriving societies and economies. Charitable giving can be both personally and financially rewarding, which is why it’s important to know what your options are so your gift has the biggest impact.
Retirement Planning Guide: Why Retirement Planning is Important and How to Get Started
As we age, ensuring that we have enough resources to sustain our desired lifestyle becomes increasingly critical. Thus, understanding why retirement planning is essential is the first step toward securing your future. Without a solid plan, you might face financial challenges during retirement, such as inadequate savings, high medical expenses, and an inability to cover basic living costs. On the other hand, by planning ahead, you can enjoy your retirement years without worrying about financial uncertainties.
With a solid retirement plan, you can achieve your dreams and maintain your desired lifestyle. Start with this retirement planning guide to learn how to navigate the complexities of saving and investing for the future.
What is Cryptocurrency?
There’s a new form of currency taking the world by storm known as cryptocurrency, or simply “crypto.” It’s a digital form of currency used to purchase goods and services around the world, but it doesn’t behave the same way as traditional cash. Here’s what you need to know about crypto before you invest.
Investing 101: Investing for Beginners
In this beginner's guide, you'll learn what platforms are available for you to invest on, the pros and cons of each one and the types of accounts you may want to get started with.
ETFs vs. Mutual Funds: What makes them different
If you’re looking to invest in the stock market, you might be thinking about investing in a mutual fund. But exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become a popular alternative in recent years. They have many of the same benefits as mutual funds but are usually less expensive than mutual funds. Both options come with their fair share of pros and cons. If you’re not sure which is right for you, use this guide to get started.
Investing for Good – Sustainable Investing
ESG investing, SRI, impact investing, thematic investing, stock screeners; there are many ways to invest your dollars so they’re working for the greater good. Although there are many different names for these methods, they all share the common objective of investing your money in companies that align with your values and are trying to make a positive change. This primer into the wide world of sustainable investing will give you a little back story on how the movement was started, the key differences between the different methodologies and what you need to know to get started.
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? Pros and Cons
As retirement approaches, many homeowners begin to consider their financial landscape, particularly their mortgage—their most significant monthly expense. Often, the dilemma is: should I pay off my mortgage before I retire? Effective management of your mortgage loan situation as you near retirement is crucial. Making the correct choice will ensure financial stability and reduce stress in your later years. Deciding whether to pay off your mortgage before retirement or continue with regular payments should be on your retirement planning checklist.
Maximizing and Getting the Most Out of Your 401(k)
Do you want a 401(k) plan? Does your work offer one? What is a 401(k), anyway? A 401k account is the most popular employer sponsored retirement investment option for tax-deferred savings—it can help secure your retirement. If you are self-employed, freelance, or don’t have access to a 401k account, you can start an individual retirement account (IRA) instead. To maximize the benefits of your plan, you need to be conscious of what’s available to you and stay committed to getting the most out of your 401(k).
What You Should Know Before Taking a Loan from Your 401(k)
Your 401(k) is your retirement nest egg. You’ll need that money later in life once you have stopped working. If you need extra cash for an emergency or have trouble making ends meet, you may be tempted to tap into your 401(k) before retiring. After all, it’s your money. But withdrawing from your account before you retire may leave you with less money for your golden years. Keep these tips in mind when tapping into your 401(k).
What is an IRA and Should I Invest in One?
If you’re getting ready to save for retirement, you may be thinking of opening what’s known as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This is a common retirement savings tool to help you make the most of your hard-earned money. There are many different types of IRAs to choose from. Making the right choice all depends on your finances and future plans for your savings.
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