https://howlane.com/retire-plain/Retirement basics explained without jargon or sales pitches.enMon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://howlane.com/retire-plain/can-your-401k-match-go-into-a-roth-account-what-the-irs-says-about-taxes/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/can-your-401k-match-go-into-a-roth-account-what-the-irs-says-about-taxes/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTIf your plan allows it, you can have employer match money placed in a Roth account. The IRS says it is taxable income in the year it lands, with no withholding.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/can-you-withdraw-roth-ira-contributions-anytime-the-ordering-rules/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/can-you-withdraw-roth-ira-contributions-anytime-the-ordering-rules/Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTYes, your own Roth IRA contributions come out first and are not taxed. Conversions come next, earnings last. See the IRS order with a $34,000 example.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/social-security-cola-how-the-annual-increase-is-set/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/social-security-cola-how-the-annual-increase-is-set/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe 2026 Social Security COLA is 3.6 percent, set by comparing third-quarter CPI-W averages. See the formula, the history, and what it does to a check.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/original-medicare-vs-medicare-advantage-the-main-differences/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/original-medicare-vs-medicare-advantage-the-main-differences/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTOriginal Medicare lets you use any provider that takes Medicare; Medicare Advantage uses networks and a yearly out-of-pocket limit, per Medicare.gov.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/401k-vesting-schedules-cliff-vs-graded/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/401k-vesting-schedules-cliff-vs-graded/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTYour own 401(k) contributions are always yours, but employer money may vest over years. See how cliff and graded schedules work and what leaving costs.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/how-to-roll-over-a-401k-without-tax-surprises/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/how-to-roll-over-a-401k-without-tax-surprises/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTDirect rollovers avoid withholding; a check paid to you triggers 20% withholding and a 60-day clock. Here is how each path works, with the math on $50,000.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/how-your-social-security-benefit-is-calculated/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/how-your-social-security-benefit-is-calculated/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTSocial Security averages your top 35 years of indexed earnings, then applies a 90/32/15 formula. See the 2026 bend points and worked benefit examples.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/is-social-security-taxable-how-combined-income-works/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/is-social-security-taxable-how-combined-income-works/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTUp to 85% of Social Security benefits can be taxable, based on half your benefits plus other income. See the base amounts and worked examples.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/medicare-at-65-when-to-sign-up-and-the-part-b-penalty/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/medicare-at-65-when-to-sign-up-and-the-part-b-penalty/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTMissing your Medicare sign-up window can add a penalty to Part B premiums for life. See the 7-month window, the 2026 premium, and the math on a late start.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/medicare-irmaa-2026-higher-income-premiums-and-the-income-lookback/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/medicare-irmaa-2026-higher-income-premiums-and-the-income-lookback/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTIn 2026, Part B costs $202.90 a month, plus $81.20 or more once MAGI exceeds $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (joint). Rules and tiers from SSA.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/roth-ira-income-limits-2026-reduced-contribution/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/roth-ira-income-limits-2026-reduced-contribution/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTFor 2026, Roth IRA contributions phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 for single filers. See every range and how to figure a reduced amount.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/spousal-and-survivor-social-security-benefits-explained/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/spousal-and-survivor-social-security-benefits-explained/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA spouse can get up to half of the worker's full-retirement-age benefit; a surviving spouse starts at 71.5% and reaches 100%. Rules per SSA, October 2026.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/the-savers-credit-explained-with-2026-income-limits/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/the-savers-credit-explained-with-2026-income-limits/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTLow- and moderate-income savers can get a tax credit of 10%, 20%, or 50% of retirement contributions. See the 2026 income tiers and worked examples.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/traditional-ira-deduction-limits-2026-when-you-have-a-work-plan/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/traditional-ira-deduction-limits-2026-when-you-have-a-work-plan/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTWith a workplace plan, the 2026 traditional IRA deduction phases out at $81,000-$91,000 (single) and $129,000-$149,000 (joint), per the IRS.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/hsa-as-a-retirement-account-2026-limits-and-age-65-rules/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/hsa-as-a-retirement-account-2026-limits-and-age-65-rules/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT2026 HSA limits are $4,400 (self-only) and $8,750 (family), plus $1,000 at 55; after 65 non-medical withdrawals skip the 20% tax. IRS Pub. 969.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/working-while-collecting-social-security-2026-earnings-test/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/working-while-collecting-social-security-2026-earnings-test/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTClaim Social Security early and keep working, and some benefits may be withheld. See the 2026 limits, the $1-for-$2 rule, and what you get back.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/catch-up-contributions-after-50-the-2026-limits/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/catch-up-contributions-after-50-the-2026-limits/Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTWorkers 50 and older can save more in a 401(k) and similar plans. See the 2026 catch-up amounts, the higher limit at ages 60 to 63, and the new Roth rule.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/the-10-percent-early-withdrawal-penalty-and-its-exceptions/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/the-10-percent-early-withdrawal-penalty-and-its-exceptions/Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTTaking retirement money before 59 and a half usually adds a 10% tax, but many exceptions exist, and some apply only to IRAs or only to workplace plans.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/the-roth-ira-5-year-rule-explained/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/the-roth-ira-5-year-rule-explained/Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTRoth IRA earnings are tax-free only after a 5-year period plus a qualifying event. See when the clock starts, how conversions differ, and payout order.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/claiming-social-security-early-what-it-really-costs/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/claiming-social-security-early-what-it-really-costs/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe exact benefit reduction for claiming Social Security retirement benefits at 62 instead of full retirement age, using SSA's own figures.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/employer-401k-match-explained-with-the-actual-numbers/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/employer-401k-match-explained-with-the-actual-numbers/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTHow employer matching contributions work under IRS rules, with a worked example showing exactly how much free money different contribution levels unlock.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/required-minimum-distributions-when-they-start-and-how-theyre-calculated/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/required-minimum-distributions-when-they-start-and-how-theyre-calculated/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe IRS age rule and divisor table behind required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts, with a worked calculation.https://howlane.com/retire-plain/retirement-accounts-the-basic-types/https://howlane.com/retire-plain/retirement-accounts-the-basic-types/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTIRAs vs employer plans: how traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE IRA and SEP plans differ, based on the IRS list of plan types.