Retirement Planning

The rule of 55 can waive the 10% early-withdrawal penalty on your 401(k) if you leave a job at 55+ — but one rollover mistake erases it for good.

401(k) early withdrawal exceptions aren’t just the Rule of 55 — eleven situations can legally remove the 10% penalty before age 59½, if you qualify.

A 401(k) early withdrawal costs more than the 10% penalty — income tax and lost growth stack on top. Here’s the real math on a $50,000 cash-out.

Have an old 401(k) you lost track of? An estimated 31.9M accounts—worth $2.1T—sit forgotten from past jobs. Find yours free, usually with just your SSN.

Rolling over a 401(k) to an IRA is simple as a direct transfer—but one wrong move triggers a 20% withholding and a 60-day scramble to get it back.

Choosing 401(k) investments is simpler than it looks: two paths, and one factor—fees—that outweighs fund names. The average fund charges 0.26%.

Setting up a 401(k) doesn’t have to be confusing. Here’s the step-by-step—from eligibility to your full match—plus the 2026 $24,500 limit.

Auto-enrolled in a 401(k) and not sure why? SECURE 2.0 signs new hires up at a 3%–10% default—here’s what it means and how to change it.

Roth vs traditional 401(k) is one question: pay tax now or later? Both cap at $24,500 in 2026, so it’s about timing — plus a new high-earner Roth rule.

401(k) vesting decides when your employer match is truly yours. Your paycheck contributions are 100% vested from day one; the match can take up to 6 years.