2026 edition · Interactive tool

The Savings Hierarchy

Where should your next dollar go?

401(k) or IRA? Pre-tax or Roth? Is the HSA worth it? Ask ten people and you’ll get ten answers. The Savings Hierarchy is our general framework: the order we believe savings should usually follow, based on how each account is matched, taxed, and accessed. Every situation has nuance, and this is a starting point, not the final word.

About 2 minutes · Educational, not advice