The Red-Zone — Year-End Tactics for 5–10 Years Out (Catch-Ups, 401(k) Fixes & Roth Moves)

If you’re five–ten years from retirement the next 12–24 months matter. In this episode Chris Drew walks through the practical, calendarable moves that improve your odds of finishing the job: max your 401(k) match and catch-ups, rethink 401(k) fund assignments (don’t copy a coworker), and use IRAs or partial rollovers for flexibility. He explains the difference between Traditional and Roth IRAs, when Roth conversions can make sense, and why HSAs and laddered short-term instruments deserve a place in a late-career plan. Chris also covers operational essentials — log into your plan, run overlap/cost-and-risk checks, adjust asset allocation as you shift from growth to preservation, and build a spending plan so “every day is Saturday” doesn’t blow the budget. Practical, no-fluff advice and year-end steps you can execute now to lock in deductions and position your portfolio for a smoother transition to retirement. Want help turning these moves into your red-zone roadmap? Book a free consultation at https://askthecaptain.com or call 833-DREW-CAP (833-373-9227).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.