The Essential 401(k) & IRA Retirement Guide
Available Now — eBook, Audiobook, Paperback & Hardcover

The Essential 401(k) & IRA Retirement Guide

by Susan Delaney · Book 1 of the Essential Retirement Guide series

A practical guide to understanding your retirement accounts, avoiding costly mistakes, and building a stronger long-term plan — before and after you retire.

How 401(k)s and IRAs actually work, in plain English
Contribution and rollover strategies that avoid tax traps
The withdrawal mistakes that quietly cost retirees the most
A clear foundation for the rest of your retirement plan

Also available in paperback & hardcover, and through Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Waterstones, Thalia & more — pick your favorite store.


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Smarter Retirement Planning Starts Here

Simple, practical guides to help you understand Social Security, 401(k)s, taxes, and retirement income—so you can make confident financial decisions.

Build Your Retirement Plan Step by Step

The Essential Retirement Guide Series breaks retirement planning into simple, focused topics—so you can build your strategy one step at a time without overwhelm.

Start with one guide—or explore the full series.

The Essential 401(k) & IRA Retirement Guide

The Essential 401(k) &
IRA Retirement Guide

$2.99 eBook · $12.99 Audiobook

Also in paperback & hardcover – Shop all stores

Ebook Version Only

The Essential Social Security
Retirement Guide

$4.99 eBook · $12.99 Audiobook

Also in paperback – Shop all stores

The Essential Retirement
Tax Strategy Guide

$4.99 eBook · $12.99 Audiobook

Also in paperback – Shop all stores

The Essential Retirement Income Blueprint

The Essential Retirement
Income Blueprint

The Essential Medicare Planning Guide

The Essential Medicare
Planning Guide

Clear, Beginner-Friendly Guidance

Practical Retirement Strategies

Built for Ages 50+

Not Sure Where to Start?

Start with the 401(k) & IRA Guide to build your foundation, then explore Social Security, taxes, and income planning as you move closer to retirement.

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When Should I Claim Social Security?

Compare your benefit at 62, your Full Retirement Age, and 70 — see which one actually wins over your lifetime.

Is My Social Security Taxable?

Find out exactly how much of your benefit the IRS will tax this year, based on your real numbers.

What’s My Required Withdrawal?

See this year’s exact RMD, your deadline, and what happens if you miss it.

What Would an Early Withdrawal Cost Me?

See the real cost — penalty and tax combined — before you pull money out early.

What’s My Roth Sweet Spot?

Find exactly how much you can convert this year without pushing into a higher tax bracket.

Will My Income Cover My Expenses?

See whether your Social Security, pension, and portfolio will actually cover what you spend in retirement.

When Should I Claim Social Security?

Compare your benefit at 62, your Full Retirement Age, and 70 — see which one actually wins over your lifetime.

Is My Social Security Taxable?

Find out exactly how much of your benefit the IRS will tax this year, based on your real numbers.

What’s My Required Withdrawal?

See this year’s exact RMD, your deadline, and what happens if you miss it.

What Would an Early Withdrawal Cost Me?

See the real cost — penalty and tax combined — before you pull money out early.

What’s My Roth Sweet Spot?

Find exactly how much you can convert this year without pushing into a higher tax bracket.

Will My Income Cover My Expenses?

See whether your Social Security, pension, and portfolio will actually cover what you spend in retirement.

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  • Retirement Vision & Goals Planner
  • Net Worth Snapshot
  • Retirement Expense Estimator
  • Retirement Income Projection
  • Social Security Claiming Planner
  • Retirement Accounts Tracker
  • Retirement Tax Planning Overview
  • Withdrawal Strategy Planner
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  • Annual Retirement Review Checklist

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Retirement Planning Made Clear, Practical, and Actionable

Clear Explanations

No jargon-heavy financial language—just practical guidance you can use.

Real-World Strategy

Built around the actual decisions retirees face, from claiming benefits to managing income.

A Complete Series

Designed to help readers build knowledge step by step across the most important retirement topics.

About Essential Retirement Guide

Most retirement advice online answers one question at a time — how to claim Social Security, when to convert to a Roth — with nothing tying the pieces together. Essential Retirement Guide is a five-part series built to close that gap, one guide per topic. Three are available now, with two more on the way. Every guide is grounded in official IRS, Social Security Administration, and Medicare guidance, and every source is cited in the back of the book — so you’re not just taking our word for it.

Guides to Help You Make Smarter Retirement Decisions

Simple, practical insights to help you avoid mistakes and plan with confidence.

Start Building a Smarter Retirement Strategy Today

Explore the series, get practical tools, and take control of your financial future—one step at a time.