Good Financial Reads: Retirement Topics Made Easy: What Is Early Retirement, Self-Directed, and Consolidation?

One of the hardest questions for anyone planning for retirement is to translate what their savings plans mean for their ability to replace income in retirement. In a previous post, we dubbed it the $64,000 question of retirement planning. You have money in your 401(k), IRAs, and taxable accounts. But what does all that mean in terms of the retirement income that you can expect it to deliver when you retire? Are you contributing enough for the retirement you want? Will you have enough by your desired retirement age? Or when will you accumulate enough to sustain your needs in retirement? 

If you have a 401(k) through your employer you know that very commonly we actually have investment choices.  Let’s say you can choose between a bond fund, stock funds (growth stocks or value stocks), and international stock funds.  Your plan provider is required to give you a variety of fund types to diversify between. This is very typical with your 401(k).  In addition to these choices you may have a self-directed 401(k) to choose from too.

Do you have accounts with past employers you need to do something with?  Should you roll these over or should you just leave it where it’s at?  We will discuss some things to consider when you are making these decisions.  I’ve drawn a chart here so we can answer some questions about Consolidating Retirement Accounts. There are really two main types of accounts available with your employers: tax-deferred like a 401(k) and tax-free, like a Roth 401(k).