r/DIYRetirement•
muddahm53

Where should we put funds if were retiring within 3-5 years

So we are thinking of retiring in the next 5 years. We want to put as much money away as possible before then and would like input on whats the best place. Married couple, single earner, currently 200K a year. Both 58, one teen at home. So the employer does not offer a 401K plan however, they do have an annuity and a pension. We have an old 401K rolled into an IRA and regular non tax saving accounts.

Heres the breakdown:

Current investments (just ETFs and stocks @ 150K.

Rolled over IRA- 150K

Annuity from job -300K

Regular savings just under 10K in an HYSA

Pension will be just over 3K a month, starting at 65 or less if sooner.

SS says that predicted amount is 5K a month @ 70 and then whatever the spouse equivalent is.

Also own a home with almost a million in equity that we will sell and downsize to one paid in cash, so no mortgage and maybe even a couple thousand left.

Since the job doesnt offer a 401K or match, but does have an annuity, does it make sense to just save the money in a regular ETF account or should we do an individual IRA? I dont even know how to start an individual one and save the taxes since work wont be doing it. I dont think we can do a Roth cause i think there is a limit on it. There will be healthcare through the job but not sure it applies to the entire family(currently covers whole family) or if just the employee.

How would you go about saving as much as possible and what savings plan or investments would you do it in?

Thank you

Posted Sep 4, 2026, 5:52 PM UTC

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