A Guide to Long-Term Investment Strategies | Charles Schwab
Know where you plan to invest before choosing your tools · Know your investment risk tolerance · Bring balance into your investment strategy · Adjust your ...
investing for a retirement
Are you investing to buy a house in a couple of years, or are you <anchor>investing for a retirement</anchor> that seems faraway? Are you investing to achieve or maintain a certain retirement lifestyle for yourself and your spouse, or are you looking to build a sizable legacy for your kids?
Saving for Retirement | Charles Schwab
Saving for Retirement \| Charles Schwab

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- Learn
   - Insights & Education    - [Overview](https://www.schwab.com/learn/)
    - [Overview](https://www.schwab.com/learn/)
    - [Stocks](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/stocks)
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# Saving for Retirement

Learn how much you may need to retire, how tax-advantaged retirement accounts work, and more

## Plan your retirement

401(k)

### [How Does a 401(k) Work?](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/how-do-401ks-work-frequently-asked-questions)

Learn how 401(k) retirement plans work and get answers to questions on contribution limits, distributions, and more.


September 12, 2024

•

Hayden Adams


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/Getty_1430503053_3x2.jpg)

![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/BrandJ_30PT_Q321_BL_RothConversion_3x2.jpg)

IRA

### [Roth IRA Conversion and Taxes](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/3-strategies-reducing-roth-ira-conversion-taxes)

How to make the most of a Roth IRA conversion.


August 12, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/Getty_1443332493%203x2.jpg)

Retirement

### [Starting a 401(k) in Your 20s](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/making-most-your-401k-your-20s)

Retirement may seem far away, but starting to save in a 401(k) in your 20s is one of the best things you can do for your future self. Here's why.


July 12, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/900x600_1.png)

Portfolio Management

### [Measuring Portfolio Performance](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/using-sortino-ratio-to-gauge-downside-risk)

The Sortino ratio focuses only on the downside risk of a portfolio, which is what short-term investors may want if they've got a short-term goal. The higher the Sortino ratio, the better the risk-adjusted return.


June 27, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/AdobeStock_614720795%203x2.jpg)

Financial Planning

### [Kids & Money: Making It Real](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/kids-money-making-it-real-digital-world)

With kids so comfortable online, parents have an opportunity to use the digital world to help teach their kids traditional money skills. Here's how.


April 01, 2024


## Prioritize your finances

![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/23M_1019_12251-01%203x2.jpg)

Financial Planning

### [7 Common Car Buying Mistakes](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/7-car-buying-mistakes-that-could-cost-you)

Buying on emotion is just one potential car-buying pitfall. Here are seven other common mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.


August 14, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/PS_Ep3_thumbnail_3x2.jpg)

Financial Planning

### [Save for Retirement and a Home](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/planning-priorities-saving-retirement-and-home)

Investing for retirement and saving for a down payment on a home often share the spotlight amongst financial goals. Working on either of them might feel like you have to pause the other, but making progress toward both targets can be doable with some basic financial planning.


July 31, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/LEAP_30PT_Q124_FT_Insurance_3x2.jpg)

Insurance

### [Weighing Insurance Options](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/how-much-insurance-do-you-need)

Insurance offers not just downside protection but also financial stability. Here's a look at the costs and considerations of several types of insurance coverage.


May 17, 2024


## Learn investing basics

Markets and Economy

### [Scary Headlines and Your Money](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/news-scary-headlines-and-your-money)

Do scary headlines make you want to get out of the market? Rather than react emotionally, consider this 3-step plan to help protect your money from the news and noise.


September 09, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/Getty_1488777223%203x2.jpg)

![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/3x2_StockBuybacks.jpg)

Stocks

### [Stock Buybacks: 2024 & Beyond](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/with-rate-cuts-ahead-stock-buybacks-may-continue)

Stock buybacks have boomed in recent years. With corporate cash flows remaining high and potential rate cuts from the Fed, the trend appears set to continue.


September 06, 2024


* * *

![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/Stock-indexes_3x2.jpg)

Stocks

### [Limitations of Market Indexes](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/limitations-stock-indexes-how-to-use-them)

How stock market indexes are calculated can skew their data. Learn about index limitations, using indexes effectively, and other tools that might help with investment decisions.


September 03, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/3x2_AnalystRatings.jpg)

Stocks

### [Understanding analyst ratings](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/buy-hold-sell-what-analyst-stock-ratings-mean)

Research analysts assign buy, sell, hold, and other ratings to stocks in their reports. What do these stock ratings mean, and how can you use them?


August 20, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/IE_30PT_Q324_FT_ETFs_3x2.jpg)

ETFs

### [A New Era of ETFs](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/should-you-consider-nontraditional-etfs)

ETFs have evolved to offer access to niche and speculative areas of the market. Read about three recent developments: active ETFs, cryptocurrency ETFs, and thematic ETFs.


August 16, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/IE_30PT_Q324_WOM_InterviewBoards_3x2.jpg)

Company Earnings

### [Public Company Boards](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/what-makes-independent-boards-so-important)

A company's board of directors can be critical to its success or failure. Here's how investors can factor board makeup into their investment decisions.


August 16, 2024


## Automate your investing

![null](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/Getty_1082522670_3x2.jpg?im=SmartCrop,width=900,height=600)

Robo Advice

### [Investing With a Robo-Advisor](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/robo-advisors-better-way-to-invest)

Robo Advice

### [What Is a Robo-Advisor?](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/what-is-robo-advisor)

Robo Advice

### [How Do Robo-Advisors Work?](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/how-do-robo-advisors-work)

Robo Advice

### [Robo-Advisors and Emotions](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/reduce-emotional-trading-with-robo-advisors)

## Manage your portfolio

![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/Getty_1488777223%203x2.jpg)

Markets and Economy

### [Scary Headlines and Your Money](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/news-scary-headlines-and-your-money)

Do scary headlines make you want to get out of the market? Rather than react emotionally, consider this 3-step plan to help protect your money from the news and noise.


September 09, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/How_to_hedge_3x2.png)

Portfolio Management

### [How to Hedge a Correction](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/how-to-hedge-your-portfolio)

How to use S&P 500 put options for temporary downside portfolio protection when concerns over an event-driven sell-off are elevated.


July 16, 2024


![](https://educationcontent.schwab.com/sites/g/files/eyrktu1071/files/Tips-for-Smart-Investing-Hero_3x2.jpg)

Investments

### [Tips for Smart Investing](https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/why-smart-investors-know-time-is-essence)

When putting an investing strategy in place, it can be better to start sooner rather than later. But investors should consider a few critical principles and questions.


June 13, 2024


## Explore more topics

[IRA](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/ira) [401(k)](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/401(k)) [Taxes](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/taxes) [Investments](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/investments) [Trusts](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/trusts) [Wills](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/wills) [Portfolio Management](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/portfolio-management) [Rebalancing](https://www.schwab.com/learn/topic/rebalancing)

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

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