Financial planning is all about living the life you want to live. A comfortable retirement might be your ultimate goal, but what does that look like for you? Beyond that, how do you expect to get there? You need a financial action plan, and no plan is complete without a starting point. After all, you can only plan to reach a destination if you know from where you're starting.

Everyone has their own unique retirement timeline, needs and strategies. But thanks to factors like Social Security, Medicare and IRS rules, just about everyone will face retirement planning milestones in approximately the same order and at the same stage in life. Here are the major milestones you’ll face in retirement and the ages at which you’ll face them.

Editor’s Note: This article was co-authored with Lindsey Weeks, Retirement Plan Service Manager

Adding a Roth account to your retirement plan can be a great money-saving strategy. The benefits of setting up a Roth IRA are well documented, but did you know that there are Roth versions of employer-sponsored 401(k), 403(b), and 457 retirement plans?

Choosing a target date fund? Discover 3 key factors to consider—glide path strategy, fees, and risk tolerance—to align your investment with your retirement goals.

Design smarter retirement plans with these 5 key considerations—from investment options to cost efficiency—to help your employees achieve long-term financial success.

Editor’s Note: This article was co-authored with D.L. Thomas. No one thought 2020 would be like this: a global health crisis, an economic contraction and millions of Americans out of work. The rest of us, now bound to our homes, are unable to live our lives as we normally would, while essential workers are risking their lives to keep us all safe. Then, before we get to the light at the end of the tunnel, civil unrest swept across our nation.

Tempted to tap into your 401(k) early? Learn why using it for debt, big purchases, or emergencies could cost you more than you think—and explore smarter financial alternatives.

Discover 5 proven strategies to attract and retain top talent. From competitive benefits to workplace culture, learn how to build a team that drives long-term business success.