Investing in Your 50s, Part 1: It Is Not Too Late, but It Is Time to Focus Your Fidelity or TIAA

If you are in your 50s and feel behind on retirement, you are not alone. Many University employees start thinking seriously about the future at this stage, often with a mix of concern, urgency, and questions. The good news is that your 50s are not the end of the road. They can be a powerful runway for course correction. 

You may have a few decades of work behind you. You might be earning your highest income, carrying less debt, or preparing for a change in lifestyle. For many, the University retirement plan through TIAA or Fidelity is the largest investment account. This is the time to give it the strategic attention it deserves. 

What Makes Your 50s So Important 

Catch-up contributions 

Once you turn 50, the IRS allows extra contributions to your 403(b). For 2025, the catch-up amount is $7,500 on top of the annual elective deferral limit. This can help you accelerate savings in the final decade before retirement. Check current IRS limits each year. 

A closer time horizon 

Retirement is no longer abstract. Whether it is 10 or 15 years away, your investment strategy should match a specific timeline. The goal now is not only growth, but also setting up a path to reliable income that you can live on. (Read Understanding Risk Without the Panic)

Lifestyle planning 

Your 50s are a great time to make practical decisions. Where do you want to live. Will you downsize or relocate. How will healthcare costs, family responsibilities, and work plans fit into your picture. Clarity here makes your financial decisions much easier. 

Smart Moves to Start Now 

• Dial in your contribution rate. Aim to capture the full match and add catch-up dollars if you can. 

• Stress test your mix. Confirm your stock and bond balance fits your timeline and comfort level. 

• Trim avoidable costs. Favor low-cost funds where possible so more of your return stays invested. 

• Set a review rhythm. Revisit your plan once or twice a year and after major life events. 

• Sketch your income plan. Note which accounts you will tap first, how Social Security fits, and where guaranteed income or cash reserves might help.

• Review the basics. Read up on platform differences that still apply in your 50s

  
  

A quick word of encouragement 

It is not about perfection. It is about focus. With steady contributions, a right-sized risk level, and a simple review routine, your 50s can become the decade that locks in real progress.

Some simple steps to get started:  It's never a bad time to review your current selections and make sure they still align with your goals. Read our Financial Spring Cleaning Checklist to get started.

Ready for a deeper dive on diversification and fees associated with your University 403b retirement options? Take a look at our Investing 101 Guidebook

If you would like a plain-English checkup of your University plan or a second set of eyes on your allocation and timeline, our team is always here to help. 

Education only. Not investment, legal, or tax advice. Check current IRS limits and your plan documents.