Roth-Only Catch-Ups Deferred: Roth Contributions for 60–63 Year Olds Now Start in 2026
Only about 15% of workers eligible for catch-up contributions actually take advantage of them, even though they can supercharge retirement savings¹. If you’re a firefighter over 50, those extra catch-up contributions let you stash more in your 457(b) or 401(k) each year. And if you’re in your early 60s, Congress even decided to boost your catch-up […]
Big Beautiful Bill: How Firefighters’ Retirements are Affected
By now, you’ve probably heard the buzz around the Big Beautiful Bill. It’s a massive federal law that rolled a bunch of changes into one package, from tax cuts to government reforms. But what does it actually do for firefighters like you? In short, it changes some tax rules and federal pension contributions in ways […]
Five Years Out: Last-Minute Financial Moves Before Firefighter Retirement
The average firefighter hangs up the helmet around age 52 – nearly a decade earlier than many other workers.[1] Yet, the typical firefighter’s pension often replaces only 50–70% of their working income. That means without extra planning, you could face a big income gap. The good news is that if you’re about 5–10 years from […]
Retiring Out-of-State: What Firefighters Should Know Before Relocating
After decades in the fire service, you might be dreaming of a sunny, affordable place to retire. More than 338,000 Americans relocated for retirement in 2023, a 44% jump from 2022, and roughly one-quarter of those retirees moved to a different state. (1) Naturally, plenty of firefighters also consider hanging up their helmets and moving […]
Growing Your Family? Financial Planning for Firefighters Expecting a Child
Welcoming a new baby into your family is exciting. But it’s also a little daunting, especially when it comes to finances, considering the fact that the financial pressure of raising kids has been rising fast. A recent analysis found that since 2023, the annual cost of raising a young child jumped by nearly 36%, reaching […]
Your Digital Estate Plan: Protecting Passwords, Crypto & Cloud Memories
Firefighter John always ran into danger without hesitation, saving lives and earning respect. But one afternoon, an off-duty accident leaves him incapacitated. His family, already overwhelmed with worry, now faces a frustrating digital nightmare. They can’t unlock John’s phone to reach his contacts. His online bank accounts, full of paycheck deposits and bills set to […]
National Safety Month: 4 Layers of Monetary Protection
June is National Safety Month, and while it usually focuses on physical safety, it’s also a perfect time to talk about financial safety. For firefighters and first responders, having your financial house in order is another form of protection. In this article, we’ll break down four practical steps you can take today to help keep […]
Backdoor Roth Contributions for Firefighters
The median firefighter in the U.S. earns around $60,000 a year – yet most firefighter pensions replace only about 50–70% of that income. [1] Do the math, and that could mean living on maybe $30–40k in retirement, a serious hit to your budget after decades of service.[2] Plus, the average firefighter hangs up the helmet […]
Firefighter Families’ Guide to 529 College-Savings Plans
May 29 (5/29) is celebrated as “529 Day” – a reminder to start saving for college. For firefighter families, it’s a great time to consider how the soaring cost of education can impact your future. The price of college has been climbing far above general inflation. For example, the average total cost of attendance (tuition, […]
Post-Career Pivot: Managing the Psychological Side of Retirement Money
Retirement from the fire service isn’t just clocking out one last time. It’s a leap into a whole new way of life. There’s the obvious financial shift (no more overtime or steady paychecks, hello pension checks or tapping savings), but there’s also a huge mental shift. Suddenly, you are the one writing checks to yourself. […]