Better retirements start with clarity
Practical explainers, templates, and frameworks for U.S. households planning the next chapter. Everything we publish is jargon-light and research-backed.
The content on this blog is for educational purposes only. fidser is not a licensed financial advisor - please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
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The Hidden Cost: How Inflation Quietly Erodes Your Retirement
You've saved diligently for decades, built a solid nest egg, and feel confident about retirement. But there's a silent force working against you every single day: inflation. While you sleep, while you work, while you plan, inflation is quietly reducing what your retirement dollars will actually buy.
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Why Retirement Calculators Give You Different Answers
You've tried three retirement calculators and gotten three wildly different answers. One says you're on track, another says you need $500,000 more, and the third suggests you could retire five years early. What's going on?
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Retiring at 55 vs 60 vs 65: The Tradeoffs Nobody Explains
Most retirement advice pushes you toward 65, but what if you want out earlier? Here's what actually happens to your healthcare, Social Security benefits, and savings when you retire at 55, 60, or 65 (and why there's no single right answer).
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What Is Monte Carlo Simulation? (And Why Retirement Tools Use It)
You've probably seen it: your retirement calculator shows an '85% success rate' or a '70% probability of success.' But what do these numbers actually mean? And why do so many retirement planning tools rely on something called Monte Carlo simulation?
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401(k) vs IRA vs Roth: Where Your Retirement Money Lives
You've heard the terms 401(k), IRA, and Roth thrown around for years. But do you actually know what they ARE? Not which one is "better," but what these accounts fundamentally do with your money? Let's clear up the confusion once and for all.
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What If You Get a Big Inheritance? How to Think About Windfalls
That inheritance you might receive someday? It could change your retirement, but here's why you shouldn't count on it yet. Smart planners model windfalls as scenarios, not guarantees, and the difference matters more than you think.
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How Much Do Couples Actually Spend in Retirement?
You've probably heard you need $2 million for retirement. Or maybe someone told you that you'll spend 70% of your working income. But what do couples actually spend once they retire? The real data might surprise you.
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The 4% Rule: What It Is and Why It's Just a Starting Point
You've probably heard that you can safely withdraw 4% of your retirement savings each year. But where did this rule come from, and can you really trust it with your financial future? Here's what every American nearing retirement should know about the most famous guideline in retirement planning.
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What Happens to Your Partner's Social Security If You Die First?
It's the conversation most couples avoid, but it's one of the most important financial planning discussions you'll ever have. If you die before your spouse, what happens to your Social Security benefits? The answer could mean thousands of dollars a year in retirement income for your partner.
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Claiming Social Security at 62 vs 67 vs 70: The Math
Your Social Security claiming decision could mean a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. But here's the surprising truth: there's no universal 'right' answer. The math tells a different story for everyone.
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The Retirement Spreadsheet Trap: Why DIY Calculations Fail
You've spent hours perfecting your retirement spreadsheet, tweaking formulas and watching those numbers compound into a comfortable future. But what if your carefully crafted calculations are missing critical factors that could derail your retirement by years?
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How Social Security Gets Calculated (Plain English)
You've paid into Social Security for decades, but do you actually know how your benefit gets calculated? Most people have no idea what AIME, PIA, or bend points mean. Let's break down the Social Security calculation in plain English so you can actually understand what you'll get in retirement.
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When One Partner Wants to Retire Before the Other
Sarah's counting down to her 62nd birthday when she can finally retire, but her husband Mark plans to work until 67. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Millions of couples navigate different retirement timelines, and it's more complex than just deciding who leaves work first.
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What 'Retirement Ready' Actually Means (It's Simpler Than You Think)
You've seen the retirement readiness checklists with 47 items to check off before you can even think about leaving work. But here's the truth: retirement readiness isn't about perfection. It's about answering one critical question with confidence.
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How to Talk to Your Partner About Retirement (Without Starting a Fight)
You've rehearsed this conversation in your head a dozen times, but every time you try to bring up retirement planning with your partner, it ends in silence, defensiveness, or a full-blown argument. You're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong.
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The 2026 Catch-Up Shuffle: SECURE 2.0's Roth Mandate
If you earn over $145,000 and plan to max out your 401(k) catch-up contributions in 2026, there's a significant tax change you need to know about right now. Starting January 1, your catch-up dollars must go into Roth accounts—no exceptions, no deductions.
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Retire on Your Terms: The 2026 Pre-Retirement Checklist
You've spent decades building your career, but have you built your exit strategy? Whether you're 35 and dreaming of early retirement or 55 and realizing time is shorter than you thought, this comprehensive checklist will help you retire on your terms—not your employer's.
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Retiring at 55? Here's What You Really Need to Know
Retiring at 55 sounds like a dream, but is it realistic for you? The good news: it's more achievable than you might think. The catch: you'll need to navigate some financial hurdles most retirees don't face.
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The 7 Biggest Retirement Mistakes People Don’t Realize They’re Making
Retirement isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. Some people dream of quiet mornings gardening, others of globetrotting adventures. Whatever your vision, a few sneaky mistakes can derail even the best-laid plans. The good news? Most of them are easy to spot — and even easier to fix once you know what to look for.Here are seven common pitfalls and how to sidestep them.
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How Much Do I Really Need to Retire? (Spoiler: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All)
Ah, the million-dollar question. Literally. “How much money do I actually need to retire?”Here’s the thing: there isn’t a magic number. Retirement isn’t like ordering a combo meal where everyone gets the same fries and drink.It’s more like building your own sandwich—you decide how big, how fancy, and how many extras you want.The good news? You don’t need to be a millionaire to retire comfortably. What you need is a plan, some smart habits, and a realistic view of what your lifestyle will look like when you’re not working.Let’s walk through the essentials—using the 4% rule and a few country-specific examples from the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.
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