39 beginner-friendly explanations of every financial concept a pre-retiree needs to understand. Clear definitions, 2026 numbers, pros and cons, and the part most people miss. All free.
9 concepts
How ownership shares work, dividends, growth vs value, and risk.
Treasury, municipal, corporate — duration, yield, and the role of bonds in retirement.
What ETFs are, how they differ from mutual funds, and why they dominate modern portfolios.
Active vs passive, expense ratios, loads, and target-date funds explained.
What an index is, S&P 500 vs total market vs international, and why costs matter most.
REITs, commodities, private equity, and hedge funds — who they're actually for.
Principal protection, caps, and when these complex products make sense.
Fixed, variable, indexed, SPIA, QLAC — honest pros and cons of each type.
Calls, puts, covered calls for income — and the risks nobody mentions.
4 concepts
Term, whole, universal, variable — when you actually need it in retirement.
LTC insurance, hybrid policies, self-insuring, and Medicaid planning.
Pre-retirement income protection and how it really works.
What it covers, why retirees with assets need it.
6 concepts
Parts A, B, C, and D explained without the jargon.
How MA plans work, HMO vs PPO, pros and cons vs Original Medicare.
Supplement plans, Plan G vs Plan N, and when to buy.
Eligibility, asset limits, spend-down rules, and how it differs from Medicare.
Triple tax advantage and how to use an HSA strategically in retirement.
Health insurance for early retirees before Medicare kicks in.
7 concepts
How it works, employer match, 2026 limits, and the Roth 401(k) option.
Traditional vs Roth, 2026 limits, and income phaseouts.
Conversion ladder, backdoor Roth, mega backdoor, and the 5-year rules.
The retirement plan for teachers and nonprofit workers.
For government employees — and why there's no early withdrawal penalty.
The simplest retirement plan for self-employed and small business owners.
Defined benefit vs defined contribution, lump sum vs monthly, and COLA.
4 concepts
HYSA, money market, CDs, T-bills, and I-bonds compared.
How much, where to keep it, and how it changes in retirement.
How to build one, current rates, and when it makes sense.
T-bills, T-notes, T-bonds, TIPS, and I-bonds explained.
4 concepts
4% rule, guardrails, bucket strategy, and dynamic withdrawal.
Dividend aristocrats, yield vs growth, and tax implications.
How to build one for reliable retirement income.
IRS tables, calculation, and strategies to reduce them.
5 concepts
How marginal rates actually work — most people get this wrong.
Short-term vs long-term, the 0% bracket, and wash sale rules.
When it pays, tax impact, and the IRMAA interaction.
Federal exemption, state estate taxes, and step-up in basis.
Annual exclusion, lifetime exemption, and 529 superfunding.