Jacob Schroeder
Jacob Schroeder is a financial writer covering topics related to personal finance and retirement. Over the course of a decade in the financial services industry, he has written materials to educate people on saving, investing and life in retirement. With the love of telling a good story, his work has appeared in publications including Yahoo Finance, Wealth Management magazine, The Detroit News and, as a short-story writer, various literary journals. He is also the creator of the finance newsletter The Root of All (https://rootofall.substack.com/), exploring how money shapes the world around us. Drawing from research and personal experiences, he relates lessons that readers can apply to make more informed financial decisions and live happier lives.
Latest articles by Jacob Schroeder
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5 New Retirement Rules Taking Effect in 2026
Sponsored by American National
Retirement planning in 2026 comes with new contribution limits, tax breaks and health care changes. Here's what savers and retirees need to know.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Rule of Retirement Inversion
The rule of retirement inversion says that to have a great retirement, you must ask yourself what would ruin a great retirement — and then plan to avoid it.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Find Joy and Meaning When You Want to Retire — But Can’t Yet
For Gen X, delaying retirement can be an opportunity to pilot-test your second act, plan for your inheritance and structure trusts for your kids.
By Jacob Schroeder
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I Thought My Retirement Was Set — Until I Answered These 3 Questions
I'm a retirement writer. Three deceptively simple questions helped me focus my retirement and life priorities.
By Jacob Schroeder
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How to Retire at 40: Build the FIRE Now
It's not easy, but you may be able to retire by 40 or 45 if you take these FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) steps now.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Rule of 1,000 Hours in Retirement
For retirees, the rule of 1,000 hours brings intention and clarity to your day. Because time is the most valuable thing you can spend.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Retirement Rule of $1 More
The Rule of $1 More explains how to plan for critical retirement thresholds. "You don't want to step off a cliff just because of $1 more."
By Jacob Schroeder
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The '8-Year Rule of Social Security' — A Retirement Rule
The '8-Year Rule of Social Security' holds that it's best to be like Ike — Eisenhower, that is. The five-star general knew a thing or two about good timing.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Rule of 240 Paychecks in Retirement
The Rule of 240 Paychecks can help you plan for a lifetime of withdrawals. Because, like any good boss, you need to pay yourself wisely.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The 'Yes, And ...' Rule for Retirement
Retirement rarely follows the script, which is why the best retirees learn to improvise.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Your Parents' Retirement Plan Won’t Work for You (The Stats Are In)
Five stats show how you need to rethink retirement, because "the future ain’t what it used to be."
By Jacob Schroeder
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How to Retire at 50 or 55
Yes, you can retire at 50 or 55. Take these FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) steps now.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The 'Rule of 25' for Retirement Planning: Start Here
Try the simple calculation of the "Rule of 25." Because sometimes, a back-of-the-napkin idea is all you need to get started.
By Jacob Schroeder
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How to Manage Longevity Risk in Retirement: 10 Solutions
Longevity risk is the downside of our longer life expectancies. Here are 10 ways to make sure your money lasts.
By Jacob Schroeder
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Forget FIRE: Why ‘FILE’ Is the Smarter Move for Child-Free DINKs
How shifting from "Retiring Early" to "Living Early" allows child-free adults to enjoy their wealth while they’re still young enough to use it.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The 'Die With Zero' Rule of Retirement
If spending makes you nervous, the 'Die With Zero' rule might be for you. Because you don’t want to be the richest person in the graveyard.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Stoic Retirement: Ancient Wisdom for Today's Reality
A "Stoic retirement" doesn't mean depriving yourself. It's a character-based approach to life and aging that can bring calm and clarity.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Vinyl Rule of Retirement: Plan for Two Sides in Your Next Act
Because "Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
By Jacob Schroeder
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Think You Know How to Be Happy in Retirement? These 9 Stats Might Surprise You
When it comes to your retirement happiness, don't believe everything you hear. We've turned to solid research for the facts on finding your bliss in retirement.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Final Countdown to Retire Early in 2026: A Monthly Guide
This guide will help you retire early in 2026, with a month-to-month checklist of achievable goals. What are you waiting for?
By Jacob Schroeder
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I Walked Away from a Stable Mid-Career Job — Here’s the Retirement Math Behind that Decision
Life is short. Should you quit your job for a more satisfying career? Or were you laid off? Here's how I learned to protect my retirement after leaving a steady job.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The 'First Year of Retirement' Rule
The 'first year of retirement' rule says the 12 months after you leave work set the tone for your entire later life — so it's vital to approach them mindfully.
By Jacob Schroeder
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The Mulligan Rule of Retirement — Seven Mistakes You Can Fix
Use the Mulligan Rule to undo these seven costly retirement errors. While you can’t go back in time, some retirement choices allow for a “correction shot.”
By Jacob Schroeder
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Eight Habits for a Happy Retirement
happy retirement A long and happy retirement takes more than just money. Here are eight things happy retirees do — besides dutifully saving the money they’ll need to quit the 9-to-5 grind.
By Jacob Schroeder
happy retirement
