Every Retirement Account Explained

Nobody teaches you this in school. You're handed a job, a paycheck, and a benefits enrollment form — and expected to figure out the difference between a 401(k), a Roth IRA, an HSA, and a brokerage account on your own.

This guide explains all seven retirement accounts clearly: what each one does, who it's built for, the 2026 contribution limits, and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Read it once. Save it. Share it with someone who needs it.