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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the assessment, the book, retirement planning, and working with Dario Kerkez, CFP® CEPA® — answered clearly and directly.
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About 401kBull.com
What is 401kBull.com?
401kBull.com is an educational retirement planning platform founded by Dario Kerkez, CFP® CEPA®. The site provides free guides, checklists, videos, case studies, and the 401(k) Bull Strategy book to help employees, pre-retirees, retirees, and business owners make smarter decisions about their retirement and financial future.
Who is Dario Kerkez, CFP® CEPA®?
Dario Kerkez is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) based in Chicago, Illinois. He specializes in 401(k) and retirement optimization, tax-efficient income planning, business exit strategy, and company stock planning. He is also the author of The 401(k) Bull Strategy.
Is 401kBull.com affiliated with my employer or 401(k) plan provider?
No. 401kBull.com is an independent educational platform. It is not affiliated with any employer, plan recordkeeper (Fidelity, Vanguard, TIAA, etc.), or government agency. All content is provided for educational purposes only.
Is the content on this site financial advice?
No. All content on 401kBull.com — including guides, checklists, videos, case studies, and the assessment — is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please schedule a complimentary strategy review.
Where is Dario Kerkez located? Do you work with people outside Chicago?
Dario is based at 218 N. Jefferson St., Chicago, IL 60661. He works with clients across the country via phone and video, and meets in person with Chicago-area clients. Location is not a barrier to getting help.
The Retirement Readiness Assessment
What is the Retirement Readiness Assessment?
The Retirement Readiness Assessment is a free, guided questionnaire that takes 4–6 minutes to complete. It evaluates five key areas of your retirement plan — contribution rate, asset allocation, tax efficiency, income planning, and estate & legacy — and generates a personalized 1–100 Readiness Score along with a custom SWOT analysis.
How long does the assessment take?
Most people complete it in 4–6 minutes. It covers 13 structured slides and is designed to be quick but thorough. You can save your progress midway and return if needed.
What do I get when I complete the assessment?
You receive four things: (1) your personalized Retirement Readiness Score (1–100) with a five-category breakdown, (2) a custom SWOT Checklist identifying your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, (3) a complimentary digital copy of The 401(k) Bull Strategy, and (4) an optional 15-minute private strategy review with Dario Kerkez, CFP®.
Is the assessment really free? What's the catch?
Yes — completely free. There is no purchase required and no obligation to schedule a call. You'll be asked for your email to deliver your results, and you'll have the option (not requirement) to schedule a strategy review. We don't sell your information.
What does my Retirement Readiness Score mean?
Your score falls into one of five ranges: 80–100 (Retirement Ready), 65–79 (On Track), 50–64 (Needs Attention), 35–49 (At Risk), or 0–34 (Critical Review). Each score comes with a detailed breakdown across contribution rate, asset allocation, tax efficiency, income planning, and estate & legacy — so you know exactly where to focus.
What is a SWOT analysis in the context of retirement?
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. In the assessment context, Strengths are areas where you're doing well (e.g., maxing contributions, low fees). Weaknesses are internal gaps (e.g., no written plan, no Roth). Opportunities are positive actions available to you (e.g., catch-up contributions, rollover consolidation). Threats are risks that could derail your plan (e.g., concentration risk, no long-term care plan).
I'm already retired. Is the assessment relevant for me?
Yes. The assessment includes questions on withdrawal strategy, Social Security timing, RMD planning, healthcare, and estate planning — all highly relevant in retirement. Your score and SWOT will reflect your current phase and identify the highest-priority actions for your situation.
I'm already retired. Is the assessment relevant for me?
Yes. Your assessment responses are completely confidential and used only to generate your personalized results. We do not share or sell your information to third parties.
The 401(k) Bull Strategy Book
What is The 401(k) Bull Strategy?
The 401(k) Bull Strategy: A Smarter Approach to Tax-Efficient Retirement Planning is a book written by Dario Kerkez, CFP® CEPA®. It covers 11 chapters on maximizing 401(k) and retirement savings, reducing taxes in retirement, Solo 401(k)s for the self-employed, company stock and NUA strategy, business exit planning, and building a sustainable retirement income plan.
How do I get the free digital copy?
Complete the Retirement Readiness Assessment and enter your email on the results page. Your digital copy will be delivered instantly to your inbox. You can also request the book directly from the Get the Book page without completing the assessment.
Is there a physical copy of the book available?
The digital edition is available free of charge. For information on print availability, please contact us directly or check the Get the Book page for the latest options.
Who is the book written for?
The book is written for anyone with money in a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, or employer retirement plan — whether you're actively building wealth, approaching retirement, already retired, self-employed, or a business owner. Each chapter addresses a specific planning scenario with practical, actionable guidance.
Retirement & 401(k) Planning
How much should I be contributing to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match — that's an immediate 50–100% return on your money. Beyond that, aim to maximize the annual IRS limit: $23,500 in 2025, or $31,000 if you're age 50 or older. If you can't max out immediately, increase your contribution by 1–2% each year using auto-escalation.
What are the 2025 401(k) and IRA contribution limits?
For 2025: 401(k) / 403(b) limit is $23,500 (or $31,000 with the age 50+ catch-up). IRA / Roth IRA limit is $7,000 (or $8,000 with the age 50+ catch-up). SEP-IRA and Solo 401(k) limits go up to $69,000 depending on income and employer contributions.
What is a catch-up contribution and who qualifies?
A catch-up contribution is an additional amount workers age 50 and older can contribute to retirement accounts above the standard limit. In 2025, the catch-up for 401(k)/403(b) plans is $7,500 (bringing the total to $31,000). For IRAs it's $1,000 (bringing the total to $8,000). Beginning in 2025, workers aged 60–63 qualify for a higher catch-up of $11,250 in their 401(k) under the SECURE 2.0 Act.
How do I find out what fees I'm paying in my 401(k)?
Request your plan's fund prospectuses or check your account online for each fund's expense ratio. Compare those to low-cost index fund equivalents (typically 0.03%–0.20%). Our free 401(k) Fee Audit Worksheet walks you through this step by step. On a $500,000 balance, a 1% fee difference costs $5,000/year.
What should I do with my 401(k) when I change jobs?
You generally have four options: (1) Roll it to your new employer's plan, (2) Roll it to an IRA — typically the best choice for investment flexibility and fee control, (3) Leave it at your former employer — acceptable short-term but not ideal long-term, or (4) Cash it out — avoid this; it triggers ordinary income tax plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you're under 59½. Download our Job Change 401(k) Checklist for step-by-step guidance.
What is a target-date fund and should I use one?
A target-date fund automatically shifts from stocks to bonds as you approach a specified retirement year. They're convenient but often come with higher fees (0.50%–1.00%) than comparable index funds, and their one-size-fits-all approach may not match your actual risk tolerance or timeline. Review your target-date fund's expense ratio and glide path before assuming it's the right choice.
When should I start taking Social Security?
The decision depends on your health, other income sources, and whether you're married. Claiming at 62 locks in a permanently reduced benefit. Waiting until 70 maximizes your monthly payment — roughly 8% more per year you delay past full retirement age. Illinois TRS and other public pension participants should also check for WEP/GPO rules that may reduce Social Security benefits based on your pension income.
Roth & Tax Strategy
What is a Roth IRA and should I have one?
A Roth IRA is a retirement account funded with after-tax dollars. Growth and qualified withdrawals are completely tax-free. If you're eligible (income limits apply — $161K single / $240K married in 2025), contributing $7,000–$8,000/year to a Roth IRA is one of the most powerful tax moves available. The earlier you start, the more compounding works in your favor.
What is a Roth conversion and when does it make sense?
A Roth conversion moves money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA — you pay income tax on the converted amount now, in exchange for tax-free growth and withdrawals later. It makes the most sense in years when your taxable income is unusually low: the window between retirement (ages 62–65) and when RMDs begin at 73 is the most powerful Roth conversion window for most pre-retirees.
What are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?
RMDs are mandatory annual withdrawals the IRS requires from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s starting at age 73 (under current law). The amount is calculated based on your account balance and life expectancy factor. Because RMDs are taxable income, a large pre-tax account balance can create a significant tax burden — often called the 'RMD tax bomb.' Strategic Roth conversions before age 73 can reduce this exposure.
What is the difference between a traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)?
A traditional 401(k) reduces your taxable income today — you pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement. A Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax dollars — no upfront deduction, but all growth and withdrawals are tax-free. If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are today, the Roth 401(k) is generally the better choice. Many employers now offer both options in the same plan.
What is the backdoor Roth IRA strategy?
If your income exceeds the Roth IRA contribution limits, you may still be able to contribute indirectly through the 'backdoor Roth' — making a non-deductible traditional IRA contribution and then converting it to a Roth IRA. This is a legitimate IRS-sanctioned strategy, but it requires careful attention to the pro-rata rule if you have other pre-tax IRA balances. Consult a tax advisor before executing.
Executives & Employees with Company Stock
What is NUA (Net Unrealized Appreciation) and how can it save me money?
NUA is a tax strategy that applies when you hold appreciated company stock inside your 401(k). Instead of rolling the stock to an IRA (where all distributions are taxed as ordinary income), you take a lump-sum distribution and pay ordinary income tax only on your original cost basis. The appreciation — often the vast majority of the value — is then taxed at the lower long-term capital gains rate when you sell. On a $500K position with a $40K cost basis, the tax savings can exceed $90,000.
What is a stock chart and why is it important to learn to read one?
A stock chart is a graphical representation of a company's share price over time. Learning to read one helps you understand price trends, trading volume, support and resistance levels, and how market events affect the value of your holdings. For employees with company stock in their 401(k), understanding your company's stock chart can help you make more informed decisions about diversification timing, NUA strategy eligibility, and concentration risk. Key elements to learn: the price line or candlestick chart, volume bars at the bottom, the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, and major news events marked on the timeline.
What is stock concentration risk and why is it important to diversify?
Stock concentration risk occurs when a disproportionate percentage of your net worth — often 20% or more — sits in a single company's stock. This is common among long-tenure employees, executives with large RSU grants, and ESPP participants. The risk is significant: if your employer's stock drops 40–50% (as many have during corrections or business events), your retirement savings can be devastated at the exact moment your employment may also be at risk. Diversification spreads that risk across many companies, sectors, and asset classes. Strategies to reduce concentration without triggering a massive tax event include: systematic selling via a 10b5-1 plan, tax-loss harvesting to offset gains, donating appreciated shares to charity, and the NUA strategy at retirement. A concentration above 10–15% of your total portfolio in any single stock warrants a strategic review.
Business Owners & Self-Employed
I'm self-employed. What retirement plan options do I have?
Self-employed individuals have several powerful options: (1) Solo 401(k) — allows contributions as both employee ($23,500) and employer (up to 25% of net self-employment income), for a total of up to $69,000 in 2025. (2) SEP-IRA — simpler to administer, up to 25% of net self-employment income or $69,000. (3) SIMPLE IRA — for small businesses with employees, up to $16,500. The Solo 401(k) is generally the best option for maximizing contributions and reducing taxable income when you have no full-time employees.
What is a CEPA® and why does it matter?
CEPA® stands for Certified Exit Planning Advisor — a professional designation for advisors trained in business transition, valuation, and exit strategy. Dario Kerkez holds the CEPA® designation, which means he can help business owners develop a structured plan for transferring or selling their business in a way that maximizes after-tax proceeds and protects the owner's financial future.
What is a buy-sell agreement and does my business need one?
A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract between business co-owners that governs what happens if one owner dies, becomes disabled, retires, or wants to leave. Without one, a partner's disability or death can trigger a legal dispute that paralyzes the business. Most buy-sell agreements are funded with life and/or disability insurance so the buyout can be executed cleanly and quickly. If you have a co-owner and no buy-sell agreement, this is a priority.
What is life insurance and do I need it?
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Estate Planning & Insurance
I'm self-employed. What retirement plan options do I have?
Self-employed individuals have several powerful options: (1) Solo 401(k) — allows contributions as both employee ($23,500) and employer (up to 25% of net self-employment income), for a total of up to $69,000 in 2025. (2) SEP-IRA — simpler to administer, up to 25% of net self-employment income or $69,000. (3) SIMPLE IRA — for small businesses with employees, up to $16,500. The Solo 401(k) is generally the best option for maximizing contributions and reducing taxable income when you have no full-time employees.
What is a CEPA® and why does it matter?
CEPA® stands for Certified Exit Planning Advisor — a professional designation for advisors trained in business transition, valuation, and exit strategy. Dario Kerkez holds the CEPA® designation, which means he can help business owners develop a structured plan for transferring or selling their business in a way that maximizes after-tax proceeds and protects the owner's financial future.
What is a buy-sell agreement and does my business need one?
A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract between business co-owners that governs what happens if one owner dies, becomes disabled, retires, or wants to leave. Without one, a partner's disability or death can trigger a legal dispute that paralyzes the business. Most buy-sell agreements are funded with life and/or disability insurance so the buyout can be executed cleanly and quickly. If you have a co-owner and no buy-sell agreement, this is a priority.
What is life insurance and do I need it?
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Working with Dario
What is the complimentary 15-minute strategy review?
It's a private, no-obligation video or phone call with Dario Kerkez, CFP® CEPA®. In 15 minutes, you'll walk through your Retirement Readiness Score, discuss your top 2–3 SWOT findings, get answers to your most pressing retirement questions, and identify the single highest-impact opportunity for your situation. There is no sales pitch and no recording. You can schedule directly from the assessment results page.
Is there a fee for the initial consultation?
The 15-minute strategy review is completely complimentary — no cost, no obligation. If you choose to engage for ongoing planning, fee structures are discussed transparently at that time.
What types of clients does Dario typically work with?
Dario works with employees and professionals building wealth in their 401(k), pre-retirees within 5 years of retirement, retirees managing distributions and RMDs, business owners planning exits and maximizing retirement contributions, corporate employees with RSUs or company stock concentration, and plan administrators managing company 401(k) plans.
What is the minimum investable asset level to work with you?
There is no hard minimum for an initial conversation. The Retirement Readiness Assessment helps identify whether comprehensive planning is the right next step based on your situation. For ongoing advisory relationships, the most suitable fit is generally clients with $250,000 or more in investable assets.
How do I schedule a strategy review?
Click the Schedule a Call button on any page, or complete the Retirement Readiness Assessment and select 'Schedule a complimentary review' on the results page. You'll be directed to an online scheduling link where you can choose a time that works for you — video or phone, weekdays available.
Can I share the assessment results with my spouse or partner?
Yes. We recommend completing the assessment together if possible, since household income, spending, and retirement goals affect the results significantly. You can also share your results PDF with a spouse or advisor to review together before the strategy call.
Still not sure where you stand? Take the free Retirement Readiness Assessment.
Get your personalized score, SWOT checklist, and free book — all in 4–6 minutes.
Can't Find Your Answer?
Ask Dario directly in a free 15-minute strategy review — no obligation, no sales pitch. Just clear answers to your retirement questions.