RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS & VEHICLES

Tax-advantaged retirement accounts are among the most powerful wealth-building tools available.
These topics cover every major account type and strategy.

TOPIC 106
Traditional IRA: Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings
The Traditional IRA is one of the most widely used tax-advantaged retirement savings vehicles, offering upfront tax
deductions and tax-deferred growth until withdrawals begin in retirement. This topic covers the rules, benefits, and
strategic considerations for using a Traditional IRA effectively.

Contribution limits and eligibility rules
Tax deductibility based on income and workplace plan coverage
Investment options within a Traditional IRA
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73
Early withdrawal penalties and exceptions
Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA comparison
Beneficiary rules and inherited IRAs

TOPIC 107
Roth IRA: Tax-Free Growth for the Future
The Roth IRA is arguably the most powerful retirement savings tool available to qualifying individuals, offering
completely tax-free growth and withdrawals with no required minimum distributions. This topic explains who
benefits most from a Roth IRA and the strategies to maximize its advantages.

How the Roth IRA works: after-tax contributions, tax-free growth
Income limits and phase-outs
Roth IRA contribution limits and deadlines
The five-year rule for qualified distributions
No RMDs during the owner’s lifetime
Backdoor Roth IRA strategy
Why younger and lower-income earners benefit most

TOPIC 108
401(k) Plans: The Workplace Retirement Workhorse
The 401(k) is the dominant workplace retirement savings vehicle in America, offering tax advantages and the
powerful boost of employer matching contributions. This topic gives employees a comprehensive understanding of
their 401(k) plan and how to maximize it as the engine of their retirement wealth.

How 401(k) plans work: contributions and employer matching
Traditional 401(k) vs. Roth 401(k)
Contribution limits (employee and total)
Vesting schedules: when is employer money yours
Investment menu selection within a 401(k)
Loans and hardship withdrawals: risks and rules
What happens to your 401(k) when you leave a job

TOPIC 109
403(b) Plans: Retirement Savings for Nonprofits and Schools
The 403(b) plan serves employees of public schools, nonprofits, and certain faith-based organizations — offering
the same core tax benefits as a 401(k) but with unique features including annuity-based products and special
catch-up provisions. This topic helps nonprofit and ministry employees understand and optimize their 403(b)
benefits.

Who is eligible for a 403(b) plan
Similarities and differences between 403(b) and 401(k)
Annuity contracts vs. mutual fund options in 403(b)s
The 15-year catch-up contribution rule
Contribution limits and employer matching
Special considerations for public school employees
Nonprofit 403(b) plan evaluation and vendor selection

TOPIC 110
457(b) Plans: The Deferred Compensation Advantage
The 457(b) is a uniquely flexible deferred compensation plan available to state and local government employees
and some nonprofits — most notably, it has no 10% early withdrawal penalty, making it an exceptional bridge
account for those retiring before age 59½. This topic explores how to maximize the 457(b) advantage.

Who sponsors 457(b) plans (government vs. non-governmental)
How 457(b) differs from 401(k) and 403(b)
No early withdrawal penalty: a key advantage
Stacking 457(b) with 403(b) or 401(k) contributions
Special catch-up provision in final three years before retirement
Government 457(b) vs. top-hat non-governmental plans
457(b) for public sector employees and pastors in government ministry

TOPIC 111
SEP IRA: Retirement Savings for the Self-Employed
The SEP IRA allows self-employed individuals and small business owners to contribute significantly larger amounts
to retirement savings than individual IRA limits allow, with straightforward setup and minimal administrative burden.
This topic is essential for independent contractors, freelancers, and ministry leaders with self-employment income.

Who can establish a SEP IRA
Contribution limits: up to 25% of compensation
SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k) comparison
Simplicity of setup and administration
SEP IRA for part-time self-employment alongside a day job
Employee coverage rules when you have staff
Tax deduction strategies for business owners

TOPIC 112
SIMPLE IRA: Small Business Retirement Made Simple
The SIMPLE IRA provides small employers with a streamlined, low-cost way to offer retirement benefits to
employees while meeting mandatory contribution requirements. This topic helps small business owners and their
employees understand this accessible plan and how it compares to other options.

Eligibility requirements for SIMPLE IRA sponsors
Employee contribution limits
Mandatory employer matching options
Two-year seasoning rule and withdrawal restrictions
SIMPLE IRA vs. 401(k) for small employers
Transitioning from SIMPLE IRA to 401(k) as a business grows
Administration and compliance basics

TOPIC 113
Solo 401(k): Maximum Savings for the Self-Employed
The Solo 401(k) enables self-employed individuals with no full-time employees to contribute as both employee and
employer — allowing significantly higher annual contributions than a SEP IRA for those with moderate income. This
topic makes the case for the Solo 401(k) as the premier retirement vehicle for solo business owners and clergy.

Who qualifies for a Solo 401(k)
Dual contribution capacity: employee and employer
Contribution limits vs. SEP IRA comparison
Roth Solo 401(k) option
Loan provisions in Solo 401(k) plans
Setting up and maintaining a Solo 401(k)
Solo 401(k) for pastors and ministry leaders with self-employment income

TOPIC 114
Roth Conversions: Strategic Tax Planning for Retirement
Roth conversions — moving money from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth account and paying taxes now — can
be one of the most impactful tax-planning moves available, especially for those in a low-income window between
retirement and RMD age. This topic provides a strategic framework for evaluating and executing Roth conversions.

What is a Roth conversion and how it works
Optimal times to convert: low-income years, early retirement
Calculating the tax cost of conversion
Multi-year Roth conversion laddering strategies
Roth conversions and RMD reduction
Roth conversion and Medicare IRMAA surcharges
Legacy and estate planning benefits of Roth accounts

TOPIC 115
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Rules and Strategies
Required minimum distributions are mandatory annual withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement accounts
beginning at age 73, and failing to manage them properly can result in significant tax penalties and income
surprises. This topic empowers retirees to plan proactively around RMDs, including the powerful QCD strategy for
charitable givers.

What are RMDs and which accounts require them
RMD age rules under SECURE 2.0 (age 73)
Calculating your RMD using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table
Penalties for failing to take RMDs
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to offset RMDs
Aggregation rules for multiple IRAs and 401(k)s
Strategies to reduce future RMDs

TOPIC 116
Catch-Up Contributions: Accelerating Savings After 50
Catch-up contributions allow Americans aged 50 and older to contribute above the standard limits to retirement
accounts — a critical safety valve for baby boomers who need to accelerate their savings in the final years before
retirement. This topic maps out every available catch-up provision and how to use them strategically.

IRA catch-up contributions (age 50+)
401(k) and 403(b) catch-up contributions
SECURE 2.0 super catch-up for ages 60-63
Catch-up contribution strategy for late starters
Maximizing all available catch-up provisions simultaneously
Impact of catch-up contributions on retirement projections
Encouragement for those who feel behind

TOPIC 117
Church Retirement Plans: The 403(b)(9) Housing Allowance Advantage
The 403(b)(9) is a specialized church retirement plan that uniquely allows ordained ministers to designate
distributions as housing allowance in retirement — potentially eliminating federal income tax on a significant portion
of retirement income. This topic is indispensable for pastors, church administrators, and denominational benefits
planners.