Financial guide for pre-retirees
The last decade before retirement — maximize contributions, optimize taxes, and build a clear distribution plan.
The decade before retirement is the highest-stakes planning period. Your portfolio is large enough that allocation and tax decisions matter enormously. The choices you make now — Roth conversions, capital gains timing, Social Security strategy — can affect your income in retirement for 30 years.
Catch-up contributions (extra $7,500/year in a 401(k) after age 50) are available to you. Roth conversions before RMDs begin at 73 can significantly reduce your lifetime tax burden. This is not the time for passive financial management.
Action checklist
Work through the steps in order. Progress saves in this browser, without an account.
Assess the gap
This year
See if you're on track and where the gaps are.
Tool: Retirement PlannerAn extra $7,500/year in a 401(k) after 50.
You may have more flexibility than you think.
Tool: FIRE Calculator
Optimize taxes
Next few years
Convert in lower-bracket years to cut lifetime tax.
Tool: Roth Conversion AnalyzerArticle: Roth conversion strategy guideAvoid a tax spike when distributions begin at 73.
Tool: RMD CalculatorArticle: Understanding RMDsHarvest gains in your lower-income years.
Tool: Capital Gains Calculator
Plan your income
Before you retire
Claiming at 70 vs 62 can mean ~76% more per month.
Tool: Social Security OptimizerArticle: Social Security timing strategies
Tools for your situation
Free calculators and assessments selected for this guide.
- 1Retirement PlannerFull Monte Carlo projection — see if you're on track and identify the gaps
- 2Social Security OptimizerModel breakeven ages and lifetime benefits — claiming at 70 vs 62 can mean 76% more per month
- 3Roth Conversion AnalyzerModel partial Roth conversions by bracket — reduce your future RMD burden
- 4RMD CalculatorProject Required Minimum Distributions from 73–90 and total lifetime tax exposure
- 5FIRE CalculatorLean, Fat, and Coast FIRE targets — are you already Coast FIRE?
- 6Capital Gains CalculatorPlan asset sales with full tax impact — long-term vs short-term, NIIT
Recommended reading
Have a specific question?
The AI Financial Tutor gives an educational answer to a finance question in about a minute. For example: “I'm 55 with $600,000 saved across my 401(k) and IRA. Am I on track to retire at 65, and what should I focus on in the next 10 years?”