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Discover all you need to know about retirement, investing, and household finance, without the jargon or agenda. Get reliable guidance, insight, and easy-to-understand explanations, written, edited, and verified to Britannica’s exacting standards.
Executive Editor, Britannica Money
Doug Ashburn
Recently Posted
Federal Student Loans: Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Loans
You might get one, or both, types.
What Housing Market Data Can Indicate About the Broader Economy
Home sweet home.
The 4% Rule: A Starting Point for Your Retirement Income Strategy
Here’s how it works.
Household Finance
Take Cover: Why Insurance Is Necessary and Which Types You Really Need
There are several safety nets to consider.
First-Time Home Buyer? Here’s What You Need to Know
It’s a big step. You ready?
Best Rewards Credit Card: Airline Miles, Points, or Cash Back?
The best rewards credit card is the one you’ll use.
Can Automatic Bill Pay and Other Tools Help You Put Your Money on Autopilot?
Commence budgeting sequence.
Investing
Inflation Impact: Rising Prices Project Strength, but Too Much Is Painful
Why “Goldilocks” inflation is best.
Different Margin for Different Traders: Reg T, Futures Margin, and Portfolio Margin
Regular, enhanced, and super-duper.
When the Upside Is Down: An Intro to Short Selling of Stocks
Zig when the market zags.
Technical Analysis: Is There Predictive Power in Chart Data?
Discover why the trend is your friend.
How to Get Around the 401(k) Early Withdrawal Penalty
Try other options first.
What Is a 403(b) Plan and How Does It Differ from a 401(k)?
Nearly identical, except where it isn’t.
What’s the Difference Between a 401(k) and an IRA?
Retirement account showdown: IRA vs. 401(k)
Featured Term
See AllGlossary
required minimum distributions (RMDs)
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are the minimum amount you must withdraw from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401(k) upon reaching a certain age. The age used to be 70 1/2, but rose to 72 starting January 1, 2020, under the SECURE Act of 2019. RMD amounts differ based on individual circumstances; details are available on the IRS site. There are penalties for failure to take RMDs on time.