Retirement Planning
GPF 203
Plan for retirement with confidence. Learn how 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth accounts work, how much to save, and how to calculate the number you need to retire comfortably.
Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is the area of personal finance where time is the most consequential variable. Starting ten years earlier can make a larger difference than doubling your contributions later. This course teaches you how the US retirement account system works, which accounts to use in which order, and how to calculate whether you are on track to retire when and how you want.
You will learn the mechanics and tax advantages of the main retirement account types — the traditional 401(k), the Roth IRA, and the Roth 401(k) — and how to decide between pre-tax and after-tax contributions based on your current and expected future tax situation. Employer matching is covered in detail, including why capturing the full match is the closest thing to a guaranteed 100% return available to most investors. Contribution limits, catch-up contributions, and account withdrawal rules are all explained clearly.
The course also teaches you how to calculate your retirement number using the 4% safe withdrawal rate rule, how Social Security fits into a complete retirement income plan and when to claim it strategically, and how to manage sequence-of-returns risk — the danger that a market downturn in the early years of retirement can permanently impair a portfolio that would otherwise have lasted decades. You will leave with a clear picture of where you stand and which levers you can pull.
What you will learn
- Compare the tax advantages of traditional and Roth retirement accounts
- Calculate your retirement number using the 4% rule
- Explain how employer 401(k) matching works and why it matters
- Describe Social Security claiming strategies
- Plan for healthcare costs in retirement
Major topics
Why this course matters
Retirement planning is time-sensitive. The earlier you start, the more compound growth works in your favor. Waiting even 10 years to begin can require doubling your contributions to achieve the same outcome.
Course modules
Retirement Accounts
This module explains the main tax-advantaged accounts used for retirement saving, including 401(k)s, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and Roth 401(k)s. Students learn how employer matching works, how tax treatment differs across accounts, and why contribution limits and Roth conversions matter.
Planning for Retirement
This module turns retirement saving into a practical plan by estimating future spending, portfolio needs, Social Security timing, and healthcare costs. Students learn how to use the 4% rule, compare claiming ages, and prepare for medical expenses in retirement.
Common misconceptions
I will figure out retirement later — time is the most powerful factor in retirement savings
Social Security will be enough to retire on — it was designed to supplement retirement, not replace income
I cannot touch my retirement accounts until 59½ — there are exceptions and strategies
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