First, max out on any and all tax-deferred retirement savings plans for which you're eligible, such as 401(k)s or IRAs. The standard annual maximum contribution to a 401(k) is $18,000 in 2016. But if you are at least 50 years old, you can turbocharge your account by adding $6,000, so your 2016 maximum will be $24,000. The same idea applies with IRAs. The standard maximum annual contribution is $5,500 in 2016. If you are at least 50 years old you can stash away an extra $1,000 a year for a max of $6,500.
Do it. And make sure you check back with your benefits office every fall; the annual contribution limits are set by the federal government and adjusted for inflation.
Once you have stuffed your tax-deferred accounts to their annual limits, consider adding a Health Savings Account (HSA) to your investing lineup.
