RETIREMENT
The future deserves a plan.
Retirement planning is not simply about accumulating more. It is about building a strategy around the life your capital is meant to support.
RETIREMENT PLANNING
A retirement plan should begin with the life, not the account.
Account selection is only one part of the picture. A plan that actually holds up also has to account for the retirement age you want, what you already have, what you can keep contributing, how much time that gives you, how much risk you can sit with, tax considerations, the income you’ll need, and what you want to leave behind. None of that comes with a guarantee — but ignoring it isn’t a strategy either.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
Three ways to save, each with a different role.
This content is educational and does not constitute personalized tax, legal or investment advice. Eligibility, contribution rules and tax treatment depend on your individual circumstances and current IRS rules — consult a qualified professional before acting.
THE FRAMEWORK
Four decisions shape the plan.
When
When do you want financial independence or retirement to begin?
How much
What level of assets and income might your future require?
How
How should contributions and investments evolve over time?
What next
How should the strategy adapt as retirement approaches?
RETIREMENT CALCULATOR
Build your own projection.
Estimated retirement balance
$1,808,576in 20 years, at age 65
Contributions
$734,650Investment growth
$1,073,926Inflation-adjusted
$1,103,722Illustrative projection only. Actual investment results will vary. This calculator does not account for taxes, fees, contribution limits, employer matching, withdrawals or changes in investment returns. It is not financial, tax or investment advice.
CONTRIBUTION & TIME
Time can matter as much as contribution size.
The same $500 monthly contribution, starting ten years apart, produces two very different outcomes below — not because the later saver did anything wrong, but because compounding had a decade less to work with. Past growth doesn’t guarantee future results, but the shape of the gap is worth understanding either way.
Starting at 35
$502k
Starting at 45
$231k
Illustrative only — both scenarios assume a constant $500 monthly contribution and 6% nominal annual return to retirement age 65, with no starting balance. Actual results will vary.
APPROACHING RETIREMENT
The strategy changes as the horizon narrows.
Retirement planning isn’t static. As the horizon narrows, the questions worth revisiting shift too — not toward a single prescribed allocation, but toward a fresh look at what the portfolio actually needs to do next.
- Liquidity
- Portfolio construction
- Risk exposure
- Income requirements
- Withdrawal strategy
FAQ
Questions worth asking early.
When should I start saving for retirement?
Generally, the earlier the better — time in the market gives compounding longer to work. A thoughtful plan started later in life is still meaningfully better than not planning at all.
How much should I contribute?
There's no single right answer — it depends on income, goals, desired retirement age and what else you're saving for. Many people aim to contribute enough to capture a full employer match, then build from there.
What is the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA?
A 401(k) is sponsored by an employer and offered through payroll. An IRA is opened individually, outside any employer, giving you more control over the provider and investment lineup.
What is the difference between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?
The core difference is when you pay tax. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible now, with withdrawals taxed later. Roth IRA contributions are made after-tax now, with qualified withdrawals generally tax-free later.
How does compound growth work?
Investment returns are earned not just on what you contribute, but on prior growth as well. Over long periods this compounding effect can account for a substantial share of a portfolio's final value — though it works in both directions and isn't guaranteed.
What happens when I change employers?
A 401(k) doesn't disappear when you leave a job. Common options include leaving it with the former plan, rolling it into a new employer's plan, or rolling it into an IRA — each with different tradeoffs worth understanding first.
Can retirement planning include taxable investments as well as retirement accounts?
Yes. Many long-term plans use tax-advantaged accounts alongside taxable brokerage accounts, particularly once retirement account contribution capacity is fully used for the year.
Your plan starts with a conversation.
Explore how UNTU Capital approaches retirement accounts, contributions and long-term planning.