Maximize Your Early Retirement: Should You Save to 401k or Brokerage Accounts?

Typical retirement strategies assume a retirement age of over 60. With an earlier retirement goal, a careful look is required to determine what strategies will create the best outcome. James responds to a listener’s question about where to invest as he anticipates an early retirement. James walks through the steps of Root’s Sequoia System to explore options for early retirement scenarios.
Questions Answered:
How does early retirement impact traditional retirement planning
strategies, such as the 4% rule?
When deciding between retirement accounts (e.g., 401k) or brokerage accounts for pre-60 funds in early retirement, what factors should be considered?
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⏱Timestamps:⏱
0:00 - Question about early retirement
2:21 - Is early retirement possible?
3:30 - Why the 4% rule doesn’t apply
6:08 - Assessment of Juan’s situation
8:11 - The Sequoia system Step 1 - purpose
10:16 - Step 2 - retirement income
12:49 - Relying on SS benefit?
14:09 - Withdrawal strategy
15:32 - Sourcing funds from age 50-59
17:20 - Brokerage vs 401K
20:22 - A part-time income scenario
23:04 - Consider how expenses might change
25:14 - Step 3 - investment planning
28:09 - Steps 4 & 5- taxes and protection
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[@kenhart2516]

Wow I’m impressed by how many considerations you addressed

[@The5upermann1]

He is forgeting that if he retires early at 45. He won’t have 35 working years. Social security takes the average of your highest 35 working years of income. So you will have significantly less social security.

[@leahrn78]

Good point!

[@35goingon90]

Social security also indexes earnings, so what you make in your 20s and 30s is will get a 5x to 2x multiplier, but from around 55 to social security is indexed 1x. I make 25k more than I did 6 years ago, but my indexed earnings from social security is lower now then then. Yes, less zeros is better, but 4 years of zero in my goal is an ok trade off for early retirement. Delaying your social security a year would likely be worth at least 2 years of zeros as an alternative

[@buckibanker]

That's not what the indexing is doing, all it does is essentially adjust your 1999 income to what the equivalent is today- adjusted for inflation basically. Then it takes the top 35 years of the indexed incomes. So your current maxed out income still counts the same as your adjusted salary from 1999. The current salary just doesn't need indexed

[@davido.9180]

man great video thanks for the insight - so much to consider but great video

[@blackhawkteslatech]

Awesome! We are literally in our 40s like Juan and brainstorming various options on how to retire in our 50s almost every week recently. Love your system and we are hoping our Pension will be our INCOME that will cover all our essential living expenses. Another great video!!!

[@rayhughel1508]

James, thank you for the heads up on demonstrating the confluence of factors & how they add up to the need correct our vision on how much we need to have assurance that there is enough cushion for the later years. Inflation is both the elephant & lion in the room: it will sit on you & devour you in concert!

[@Shizu_Kare]

Incredible work, James! I'm only getting started in my own career and managing finances. I've done a lot of research on personal finances, credit card usage, etc. But I hadn't done much research into what it takes to plan for retirement. I had a surface level understanding of principles like the 4% rule and others, and about the crucial nature of saving for retirement young. But that's really it. Your channel has really been a new breakthrough for me on understanding finances on a deeper level, and I feel like this content will greatly enable me to prepare well for retirement, even though for me it is still decades away. I am thoroughly impressed by how many nuances you account for even in a general overview approach to a single question sent to the podcast. And I am extremely thankful you are willing to share these insights with all of us on youtube. We truly live in the golden age of information.

[@paulseidel5819]

Very good. Helpful to understand

[@jmr781]

Great info, James! The 72(t) strategy you mention lies right at the heart of our early-retirement (~50-52) strategy, though I understand your tendency to nudge folks in an alternative direction. I don't see mention of it from many financial planners, so appreciate you giving it some attention!

[@videosabia]

This is excellent! Very informative and well explained. Thank you!

[@Jupe367]

This is very thorough. Thank you James.

[@wildfoodietours6702]

Really LOVE the idea of using the 72t to be able to withdraw from your pretax 401k at ANY time without penalty. This strategy seems especially good for those who plan to retire in their 50s who would love to have a set amount, say $35k based off a $700k portfolio, to live off each year from 51-59. Because retirees tend to spend whatever amount they have coming in, designating a reasonable $35k per year to spend without guilt, seems like such ideal scenario. I can't wait for your deep dive about this rule that not many seem to be aware of.

[@xporkrind]

I have a good friend who has convinced me that instead of trying to retire early, it's just safer to keep working as long as you can, whether full or part time, to reduce your draw down and to reduce your risk of running out of money. It also keeps you busy. And if you don't enjoy your job, maybe it's a good idea to explore retiring early but trying a different career.

[@shawnbrennan7526]

What really concerned me about this scenario? If you are earning $250k and only saving $40k, you are going to have a tough time living on $100k. (Maybe huge chunks are going to pay off the mortgage, etc, and that is why he is only saving $40k. But $100k isn’t a huge amount to live on if you are accustomed to $210k - especially if you now have to buy health coverage from 50 to 65.)

[@SR-ob3wn]

Maybe $250 is pre tax? At a 25% tax rate, that would leave him around $190k.

[@Fadescape]

After taxes he makes about 10k a month. Saving 4k of that into stock accounts. he's is living on 6k a month. He needs 72k per year in retirement (after taxes).

[@readyplayer2]

Absolutely agree. It’s possible he plans to move from a high cost of living area and figures his money will stretch a lot further. But lifestyle inflation is real and going to less than half of what you’ve been making while still young would be a difficult transition for most.

[@sstrongman1667]

If you really break down the numbers I don’t think it’s that big of a difference. I’m assuming that he will be paying down some debt right now. Let’s say $25k/ year. Plus the $40k he is saving means that he’s only using $175k. But when you consider the tax difference between $250 and 100 k, it’s going to be somewhere between $30 and 50k difference. So roughly $130k. Which isn’t a crazy difference.

[@fierzali6297]

I think there's more to consider. If you gross $250k, you get taxed $84k and are left with $166k net (basing my assumptions on VA, because that's where I'm based). Saving $40k of that means that you're spending $126k a year and as you said, maybe a big chunk (20%?) of that is going to be a mortgate, which would be $25k a year. Subtracting that out brings the spending outside of housing to $101k a year, which is a lot more in line with the $100k a year. Granted, there are all sorts of other variables.

[@mrchriskunz]

I love your content and have been following you for a while, I am 24 years old and about to get married and would love to have a clear roadmap laid out from now until retirement and to know when is the best time to "retire" in the future. Do you have any videos coming up for people in their 20s or 30s and what we might be able to do to make sure we have a solid foundation? Thanks so much!

[@helgashighway1869]

I love the part about dynamic withdrawals based on your phase of life. I've incorporated that into my calculations. I'll spend significantly more until 70, ramp that down to essentials by 80, and ramp it back up to end of life. Withdrawing the same amount every year will result in missed opportunities during GoGo years, and a surplus of income when I'm watching The Weather Channel and eating Cheerios.

[@markb8515]

Thanks James, another great video with a lot of information!

[@johngill2853]

Great information 👍 My first thought was also that he probably won't have enough for 100k in 5 years

[@mangoman9290]

I am not in the US so the investment specifics are of no interest to me but what is really helpful is the thought process and the overall strategies that are spoken about which are all universal and extremely helpful in retirement planning.

[@nened9105]

Great Job James! You were very thorough with little information, well done! I wished you would offer fixed fee based financial planning for people who want to manage their portfolio themselves. You are very good!

[@Amber-gk3lr]

Me too! I was hoping Root Financial offered that service but had not researched it myself yet.

[@MichaelToub]

Is TIPs for your non-stock, the answer to the inflation risk point raising this video? Great Video! Luv the case studies !

[@Marl-hj8hh]

Great info here. What would be even more helpful is more graphical representations because there’s so many numbers and ages and situations being presented it gets easy to get lost. Info is golden but would be more easily digestible with more graphics.

[@Jl-620]

Great video as always James!. One clarification on the rule of 55 that is often misunderstood. The rule of 55 just states that you don’t pay the 10% penalty on distributions if you quit at the age of 55 or after. However, the company plan is not obligated to allow partial distributions, and many times you can only have a full distribution, full rollover, or leave it in the plan. You need to make sure your 401k plan allows for partial distributions before 59.5, as otherwise you cannot count on executing the rule of 55.

[@miragexl007]

Oh. Good info. Just learning about the rule of fifty five... Unfortunately our work was sold comma we chose to roll our major chunk of retirement Into an ira within the same company we were with... So canceled that rule of fifty five... Of course first up 25% versus 9 in the new plan.. Just because we're real familiar with our old plan of 25 years and excellent stocks Options

[@hogroamer260]

That rule of 55 isn't cart blanche either. It's limited how much you can take out and the amount has to be "substantially" equal withdrawls. There are rules. That would make a great video.

[@shawnbrennan7526]

I really enjoy your discussion topics, James, but the ones without charts or graphs are really hard to follow.

[@dustyroads3071]

James broke this down really well. Long story short, Juan would have a much higher likelihood of accomplishing his goals if he works until age 55. Then he can tap his 401k and avoid the 10% penalty. In addition he could make after tax contributions into his 401k from now til 55, convert to Roth immediately and have a portion of that bucket of money accessible from 55-60 if needed as well. Plus it allow his portfolio to grow five more years than if he retired at 50. All while contributing $40k a year for an extra five years.

[@Jupe367]

Thanks for breaking this down.

[@kirkworthley3221]

wow....Juan is doing great

[@carminemg]

Hi James, Do you guys offer a non management option? Somewhere just like this video but personalized? I didn’t really see what on you website.

[@genxretiree]

James always lays it out so clearly. As someone who just retired just a couple of years older than Juan there were a few things I did that made it a lot easier of a decision. 1) no debt including the mortgage opened up my cash flow 2) one commercial property with no mortgage to have an income stream outside of the portfolio 3) extensive planning of expenses and big ticket spending so I know I have enough to cover them outside of standard monthly costs. The difference from Juan is being married. My wife is working for at least another year. She doesn't need to but her income easily covers our monthly expenses. We ware also blessed to be able to sell a business and we now have a taxable account that on its face would cover 40 years of current monthly expenses. On top of tax advantaged savings it made the decision easy even as early as our late 40s.

[@pioneer7777777]

So basically you're absolutely loaded, lol. Definitely easy to retire then.

[@funkydankspliff]

Can’t relate

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

Good call on the rental property. Passive income in retirement is a huge benefit, even if it pushed you into a higher tax bracket. One of my main goals before retiring (hopefully at 58) is to pick up a couple rental properties.

[@bridgetgruich]

Backdoor Roth may be an option also for Juan.

[@jameschaves5723]

Outstanding video!! Juan needs to put most of his money into a brokerage account until 50, live on that until the the rule of 55. Then his Roth IRA

[@EdwardChen0]

If I understand right, he can only pull from the 401k of the employer he was with at the time he turned 55. So he would have to keep working somewhere with a 401k and roll it over to that new employer. I think?

[@Amber-gk3lr]

So excited for this episode. My husband and I are in our early 40s and want to retire in 10 years. We have been planning to live on part-time work and a brokerage account until 59.5. One assumption James made was that the brokerage account was also part of main retirement portfolio needed for 60 and beyond. In our case, we're planning to (potentially) exhaust the brokerage and then pivot to 401k + pension + SS in our 60s. This seems to make the math a bit easier. Is there a critical flaw in this plan?

[@fightsquid7151]

Not that I can see- best of luck! It is nice to have a Roth IRA or Roth 401k to have some flexibility with tax free withdrawals as well

[@dandawson8128]

Don’t forget Roth. The principle is always yours to withdraw, the earnings aren’t available till 59.5 obviously (without a fee).

[@tshay5112]

I retired at 55 but am doing the opposite of you. I have a brokerage and 401k and am planning on drawing funds from my 401k to live off of. I am not planning on using my brokerage or taking social security until at least 65. This way, I can bring down my 401K balance and avoid higher RMDs later. And potentially take a higher SS payout. With the brokerage acct, Social security, and Roth, I hope to avoid high taxes later in life with my plan but regardless, seems like you have a good plan too, and being able to retire early is an awesome experience.

[@lostboi3974]

First, withdraw taxable brokerage. Then 401k. Finally, the roth.

[@EdwardChen0]

If you hypothetically decide to wait to retire (or quit your job at least) in the year you turn 55, I believe there's the rule of 55 that would allow you to pull from your 401k without penalty. Might be worth considering if you have a few lower income tax bracket years between 55 and 59.5

[@KayKay0314]

My plan for early retirement was to pick a desired retirement age. For example, age 52. Then, save as much money as I could in a personal brokerage account to be able to pay for living expenses during the age gap from 52 to 59 1/2. This assumes losing my job before age 55 (worst case). While saving this money, max out my HSA and contribute enough money into my 401k to receive 100% of the corporate match. Once reaching the minimum amount of money needed in the personal brokerage account, go back to trying to max out my 401k. Investment gains in the personal brokerage account is all you need at that point. I would not retire until having enough money in the 401k account to carry me to a sufficient old age, like 90.

[@gregormaitland5065]

Great topic. Like Juan, I’m trying to retire early, maybe between 52-54. For many years I’ve been focused on maxing out my 401k and IRA. But now I’m wondering if I should focus my savings on my brokerage account so that I have a good chunk of non-qualified money I can use until I get to 59.5.

[@kevo212]

same

[@johncampbell9565]

As always James doe a great job. My first question for Juan would be can he really live on $100k. If he is making $250k now and only saving $40k where is the rest of his money going?

[@DavidHester-im2of]

If I had not already send 20 years setting up my plan I would probably have hired your company to manage my finances. The main reason I got a CFP was to protected my wife who get sick thinking about all these things. I did not want one of those high cost boiler type to robs her blind. So I set us up with our trusted team. Also as I ages I am starting to get out of the planning stuff. It time to start enjoying lif. 😊

[@tonzbal_88]

Great video! If you rollover funds from a Roth 401K (contributions + growth) into a Roth IRA (that has been opened for 5 years), can the money from the Roth 401K (contributions + growth) - that is now inside the Roth IRA - be pulled out anytime without penalty/taxes? If so, I would think a Roth 401k would be a great place to maximize for people planning to retire early since the contribution limits are higher and additionally, you can contribute after-tax money and do the mega backdoor and put it all inside the Roth 401K, then when retirement comes (early), you can rollover the needed amount for the year into the Roth IRA.

[@cybrainx72]

You know that for After Tax contribution some employers provide In Service Rollover to Roth ?

[@CarrieV9]

It’s funny. I never hear any advisor suggest that the non-income producing spouse consider getting a job even part time. Even after the kids are older.

[@miragexl007]

Oh man. I'm thinking five years At 56, wife 62. Health care is number one thought or concern. Maybe work part-time just for insurance... And absolutely take social security early for the wife to help cover medical... Because we've saved quite well otherwise.

[@NBnNC]

I do both => Roth 401k + brokerage + crypto

[@hogroamer260]

Retirement money is usually protected if you get sued. Also, you don't have such a cluster, from transactions, in a retirement account at tax time. I spent down my brokerage account, last year, for those reasons.

[@Ferrarimangp]

Excellent analysis. But no on-screen information? It's very hard to follow you without seeing the numbers on the screen

[@M22Research]

Wow, covered a lot of turf! A couple points: 1) Juan said he is married, not single, in his question…. 2) Social Security - we don’t know how long Juan has been making $250K, but if a big chunk of his 35 years of SS earnings is in that realm, his monthly SS benefit at 67 is more likely to approach $50K/year, not $40K… but more importantly, being married his spouse’s SS benefit will be half his, so together their benefit might approach $75K! Even if his SS is only $40K, together they’d be at $60K. He didn’t say his spouse’s age, but that SS benefit, with its COLA, even if it doesn’t kick in until 67, takes a lot of pressure off the portfolio!

[@readyplayer2]

Good point on number 1 but re: 2, he’s unlikely to have been making $250k between the ages of 15 and, say, 22. If he retires from a high paying job at 50, he’s likely to have some much lower numbers in his 35 year calculation bringing his benefit down from early in his career or lower paying / part time work after he retires.

[@Larry-yb7zl]

He will have a lot of zero's factored into his SSI benefit calculation. His SSI checks won't be as good as you think since it's calculated on the average of 35 highest paid years and it caps out each year, so funds above the annual cap are disregarded. With no income years averaged in as zeros, he will probably have 10 zero's. Even if he capped out every year he worked, the years of zero's will average it down and he would end up with about 60-70% of the maximum benefit he could have received if he worked 35 years and capped out each year. The laws will also be modified by the time he is able to collect which is another factor.

[@rodrigok1220]

Health cares the major cost. I’m waiting til 61, but even at that age healthcare is a big worry

[@user-vs3jj5wn3y]

Given his income, I'd assume Wan is a valued essential employee, probably someone with valuable Institutional knowledge. If so, when he hits 50, he should have the conversation about going part-time with his current employer with an exit plan at 55. Why? 1. The age 55 401k rule James mentioned. 2. He won't have to touch much of his portfolio for those 5 years, and still enjoy life while he's young, though he'll need to account for health insurance. 3. Assuming he's been working since he was 20 or so, the social security 35-year rule is just too much to pass on. Having five (or more) zeros averaged in can really affect SS benefit (and I'm a proponent of taking it at 62 & letting the difference grow for you.) I'm genuinely surprised James didn't mention #3 35yr rule because he's usually so thorough. I went part-time at 57, retired right at 59.5, no regrets. Enjoying life while I have my energy so I can relate to Wan's desire to retire early.

[@emiliachavez7425]

Can you make a video on the 401k 55 rule on retirement.

[@ManagingFI]

Cliff notes: you can access the 401k money at your current employer penalty free as long as you turn 55 years old in the year that you retire. Ex. You leave your job on Jan 1st 2025 and you turn 55 on Dec 30 2025. You pay no 10% penalty on those withdrawals.

[@stephenwright133]

It’s also good to note that your 401K administrator is required to tax the withdrawals at a 20% tax rate. Some of which might come back to you as a refund depending on your tax rate when you file for that year. Sometimes seeing that 20% off the top surprises people using this rule.

[@stevencheek4088]

This model hit home for me… with a 30 year treasury rate at almost 5%, why model such a low withdrawal rate?

[@itskelvinn]

That 2.8m figure is very conservative eh? 3-4% rule is conservative I thought you’d use like 6% and would only need like 1.8m which he’s very much on track for. And that’s not even including his social security or his part time job that he mentioned

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

Long story short: NFW is Juan able to retire in 5 years

[@growsinhouseherbiculturali1100]

Sure he is. He can’t withdraw 100k a year, but he could do it with 50k.

[@delayedgratification581]

What’s your take on leaving California at retirement to avoid taxation on 401K/IRA/Calpers pension?

[@paulmarlow6425]

Definitely think about getting the hell out. I sure am.

[@miragexl007]

Man, I would think the perfect retirement plan.... for California residents. Who are doing okay/debt free.. Liquidate and move to a more affordable state/place. All set

[@damondiehl5637]

I think I read that a lot of Californians move to Nevada when they retire, for that reason.

[@cybrainx72]

If you are going to ignore taxes.. you will not be doing right counsel for your clients. You can't ignore that even for simplicity.

[@bobknob8440]

$250k income? You should have no problem surviving and thriving in retirement better than 98% of the people out there with ease. You have more money than many of us to save.

[@miragexl007]

California, New YorK, Hawaii?. Depends on where you live I'm thinking.

[@adamseidel9780]

That’s not the question, the question was can I retire early at 50 in 5 years based on my current wealth, and what’s the best strategy to do so.

[@money0436]

​@@miragexl007fuck CALI NYC Who would wanna live there? FYI I live in NY and my rent is 5K. I am leaving soon

[@lisa408t]

​@@money0436you sound like a real gem!

[@alansach8437]

​@@adamseidel9780 Still depends! No one can tell you if you can retire! Only you know what you want out of life. I never made close to $250,000.00 a year. I retired at 50. My example is .meaningless! I live my life, you live yours! I'm content working in the garden, taking the RV a few times a year somewhere for a few weeks, going hiking, a few hobbies. Someone else might not be happy unless they are globetrotting, driving a new car every couple of years, etc. What does your life, or the life you want to live, cost?

[@ezmaass]

4% is a very conservative withdrawal rate, even for a 40+ year long retirement. If you look at the data, the vast majority of those following this rule would end up with portfolios substantially larger than what they started with. Moreover, studies have found that most retirees will not simply increase withdrawals at the rate of inflation indefinitely - hence the "retirement smile." This is a long way of saying - 4% for 40+ years is just fine. You may even push it to 4.5%, especially if you have the ability to adjust down in poor market years.

[@miragexl007]

Yes..4% is conservative and Maybe low....but a safer set up to Many to weather Those 30% down years. Even if it's just mentally..

[@Bobventk]

When you consider the contribution limits Juan has had throughout his career… To have 1.2m in a 401k at 45 is absurd.

[@IsaiahLove-go2kx]

Dam Juan been working since he was 13 yrs of age

[@70qq]

🤘

[@drsuikoden3850]

17:20

[@roberthall4122]

2.8 m ?? you are calculating this expecting a return of like 4-5%, he should be able to get 7-10% easy. just by investing i n S&P 500. Keep in mind , guys like James want to keep that total dollar amount high so they can collect fees.

[@User12345fan]

Why are these people having 50% in treasury bonds when they are trying to retire early. That’s the dumbest thing you can do. Put it 100% in stocks until you retire and when you do, change to bonds if it makes you feel better.

[@JoeC5050]

did u forget sharing your screen first 10mins?

[@User12345fan]

I do not like this guy, he is so conservative. And this whole video is an advertisement for him. He is one of those financial advisors that end up winning, you end up making them richer.

[@MBL6314]

Love your content but videos are too long. Shorten them up and you’ll get more subscribers.