Adam Shell
Adam Shell is a veteran financial journalist who covers retirement, personal finance, financial markets, and Wall Street. He has written for USA Today, Investor's Business Daily and other publications.
Latest articles by Adam Shell
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Retirees are Loading Up On Stocks: Is That Wise or Risky?Many older savers are breaking the "golden rule" of retirement investing. Is your 401(k) taking on too much risk?
By Adam Shell
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Wills Gone Wild: How to Avoid Estate Planning DisastersThese wills gone wild may be extreme examples of poor estate planning, but experts explain how easily a will can go to the dogs (or cats).
By Adam Shell
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Backdoor Roth IRAs: Leave Your Kids a Tax-Free FortuneConverting to a backdoor Roth IRA via an IRS "loophole" is an estate-planning hack that provides heirs with tax-free income in retirement. It can help you, too.
By Adam Shell
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The Average IRA Balance by Age and Generation in 2026Thanks to record contributions, the average IRA account balance is up nearly 8% over the past year despite market volatility that drove balances down in the first quarter of 2026.
By Adam Shell
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The Sequence of Returns Risk Could Shrink Your Retirement Nest EggThis little-known risk of a down market can damage your portfolio. Here's how to prevent it.
By Adam Shell
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The Average 401(k) Balance by Age and Generation in 2026How did your 401(k) balance and savings rate rank vs savers your age in the first quarter of 2026? Learn the keys to building a retirement account that will last a lifetime.
By Adam Shell
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Average Generation Jones (Age 61 - 72) Net WorthGeneration Jones came of age during rising inflation and an oil crisis, so it's back in the cockpit for these digital pioneers as they navigate retirement.
By Adam Shell
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The Social Security Bridge: How to Retire at 62 and Claim at 70Delaying your claim until age 70 locks in a permanent, lifelong pay raise. Here's your blueprint to construct an income bridge that safely funds your retirement gap years.
By Adam Shell
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Top 4 Retirement Withdrawal Strategies to Maximize Your SavingsThese retirement withdrawal strategies avoid tax and stock market pitfalls that can eat into your savings.
By Adam Shell
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The Average Boomer 401(k) Balance Is Not Exactly an 'Easy Rider' TripJust as the supercool "Easy Rider" characters discovered the road could be treacherous, so too have boomers had a rocky transition to retirement.
By Adam Shell
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Average Healthcare Costs by Age and State: Can You Afford It?Expect to pay more as you age and in some locations. We've got solutions for how to cover these costs, which can exceed $1,000 per month in your 60s.
By Adam Shell
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The Average Millennial 401(k) Balance is Not 'Superbad'Millennials may not have saved enough for retirement, but how bad can it be if your fake ID name is "McLovin"?
By Adam Shell
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The Rule of $1,000: Is This Retirement Rule Right for You?The rule of $ 1,000 a month can estimate how much you need to save for retirement. Here's how this rule of thumb compares to other guesstimates.
By Adam Shell
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Want to Retire With $100K a Year? Here's How Much to SaveWhat "magic number" will be enough to generate $100K a year in retirement income? We do the math for you.
By Adam Shell
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The Average Gen X 401(k) Balance Kind of BitesGen X, the first generation to rely on 401(k)s to build and grow a nest egg, is nearing retirement. There's a hefty shortfall between the "magic number" for retiring and Gen X savings.
By Adam Shell
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Are You Rich? The Average Net Worth by AgeAre you beating your peers on average net worth? Get tips from financial advisers on how to grow your wealth over time and have cash at the ready when you need it.
By Adam Shell
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7 Solutions to Protect Your 401(k) in a Down MarketUse these seven strategies to safeguard your nest egg when volatility strikes. You're not powerless.
By Adam Shell
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How Much Do You Need to Join the 1% Club in Your State?Being a top earner is relative: Why trading a high-tax zip code for a low-cost state is the ultimate retirement power move.
By Adam Shell
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Turn a $1 Million Nest Egg Into a Lifetime Income MachineThe paychecks may stop, but the income shouldn't. Master the art of the "income machine" to fund your dream retirement.
By Adam Shell
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How to Turn Your 401(k) Into A Real Estate EmpireTapping your 401(k) to purchase investment properties is risky, but it could deliver valuable rental income in your golden years.
By Adam Shell
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Want to Be a 401(k) Millionaire? Here’s HowJoin the 401(k) millionaires' club by following these 4 steps.
By Adam Shell
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Trump's First Year and Your Retirement: 8 Changes to KnowFrom investment returns to Social Security, Trump's first year has changed your retirement. Here's what to expect in 2026.
By Adam Shell
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How to Find a Financial Adviser for Retirement PlanningFinding the right financial adviser for retirement planning can save you time and money. Here's how to avoid sketchy ones and unearth the truly great advisers.
By Adam Shell
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Is a 401(k) Worth It? Here Are the Pros and ConsA 401(k) is worth it for most people, but are you one of them? There are seven pros and four cons to consider.
By Adam Shell
