Stop leaving
$80,000/yr on the table.
Your airline's 401(k) is the single most powerful retirement tool you have — and almost always the most misunderstood. I build a retirement account strategy — 401(k) MBCPB, Roth vs. Traditional IRA, and non-401(k) accounts — around your actual contract, not a generic template.
What could yours actually look like?
Four steps. Two weeks. One plan you can execute.
Most pilots come to me unsure whether to max Roth or pre-tax, whether to use in-plan conversions, and what to do with after-tax dollars. We answer all three with math, not opinion.
- 01
Statement intake
Upload 12 months of 401(k) statements, paystubs, and your most recent contract LOA. We do this once.
- 02
Match modeling
I model your 401(k) MBCPB match with the actual formula in your CBA — including the direct contribution most spreadsheets miss.
- 03
Conversion strategy
Roth vs. Traditional IRA, Roth ladder, in-plan conversions. We pick the right one for your bracket, then schedule the moves.
- 04
Annual recalibration
Contracts change. Brackets change. We meet quarterly and re-run the model so nothing drifts.
What pilots ask before booking.
Should I use Roth or Traditional IRA contributions?
It depends on your bracket and timeline. Generally pre-tax for the company portion, then Roth for elective deferrals if you're below the top bracket. We'll model both with your real numbers.
What non-401(k) accounts should I be using?
Taxable brokerage, HSA, and backdoor Roth IRA are the most common complements to a pilot 401(k). The right mix depends on your income, timeline, and retirement income plan.
Do I need to leave my plan to do conversions?
No. Many major airline plans offer in-plan conversions. We verify what your plan allows and do them on a schedule that respects your bracket.
Can you manage the 401(k) directly?
I cannot custody it inside the plan. I can give you a portfolio model your fund menu can implement, and we recalibrate it every quarter.
Send me your statements.
Securely upload your most recent 401(k) and retirement-account statements. They're the best starting point — they tell me what you have, how it's allocated, and where the opportunities are.
Not sure what your plan is actually worth?
That's the point of the call. Bring your statements or don't — either way you'll leave knowing the two or three moves that matter for your plan.