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With smart money management, there’s an outside change Hubby and I will be able to contribute enough to our 401(k)s so that we can possibly retire in our mid-50s.

However, retirement account money can’t be tapped until a certain age. Since we hope to retire in our mid-50s, does it make sense to stash a portion of our money in an account we CAN tap at that age?

If so, should we choose a Roth IRA (so we can withdraw contributions if we retire in our mid-50s), or should we choose a regular investment account?

Thanks for any advice/guidance!

My company is about to be bought out by a bigger company. Since we were an ESOP, I’ll be getting paid for my shares. I’ve been with the company for less than 2 years, and have owned shares for only a little more than 1 year. During the payout from the sale, if I want to get cash instead of rolling into the new company’s 401(k) (with the rest of what is currently in my 401(k)) I can right? I’m also trying to figure how much tax I’ll pay on this. I’m not too worried about that, since what I really I want to do with the money is put it towards a down payment on a house, and I’m thinking if I get the cash at the time of the transaction and before it goes into the new 401(k), that’ll I’ll avoid an early withdrawl fee. Is that right? Any advice anyone has would really help. Thanks.

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