Course

Retirement

Use the tax code in your favor.

401(k)s, IRAs, employer matches, Roth vs. traditional, and the advanced moves like backdoor Roths. The accounts that quietly do the heavy lifting for most people's retirement.

6 lessons·~30 min total

Lessons in this course

1
401(k) basics: the workplace retirement account
An employer-sponsored retirement account with tax benefits and, often, free money from your company. The mechanics, in plain English.
5 min
→
2
Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA
Two retirement accounts you open yourself, with the same contribution limits but very different tax treatment. The choice depends on your tax rate now versus later.
5 min
→
3
Social Security: the basics every worker should know
How the program works, when you can claim, and why claiming early is one of the most expensive financial decisions Americans regularly make.
5 min
→
4
What to do with your 401(k) when you leave a job
Four options, very different consequences. Most people pick wrong by default and pay for it for decades.
5 min
→
5
Backdoor Roth IRA: when you earn too much
Roth IRAs phase out for high earners. The 'backdoor' is a perfectly legal workaround that high-income earners use every year.
5 min
→
6
Mega backdoor Roth: the high earner's secret weapon
If your 401(k) plan supports it, you can put potentially $40,000+ extra into a Roth account every year. Most people don't know this exists.
5 min
→

PREMIUM

Final exam + certificate

When you finish this course, take a 15-25 question final exam to test what you've learned. Pass and earn a verified ClearMoneySchool certificate you can share on LinkedIn.

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