401k max -check, RothIRA max - check, 403b next? (payments, rate, account)

[foxboro82]

I am 41, single and work for the state of MA (= no social security input for last 7 years). I cannot count on Social Security (other than medicare). I am vested from working college jobs, but at my current contribution rate ($0) I will be getting about $600/month in retirement according to those statements they send you each year. It goes down each year.

So far:

--I am fully contributing to the 401k plan (me 10%, employer 5% - Fidelity).
--I have been maxing out the Roth IRA (USAA, Vanguard) contribution allowances each year.
--I have a fully-funded emergency fund account (6 months living expenses)
--I just bought my first place in December - 185K mortgage at 4.4% (condo, bit higher rate than SFH). I am putting a bit more toward payments to have it done about 10 years early (when I am about 60).

Where should I look to next for building my retirement income?
--My work has a 403b plan. ?

Thank you for ideas.

[mathjak107]

i would start to think about now manuvering what you have around and starting a taxable investment account.

ideally income and interest producing investments should be in a tax defered plan or roth since no matter what those will be taxed at regular income rates coming out or in the case of the roth taxed at your regular rate going in.

equities do far better in your taxable account where they:

are subject to only a max 15% tax
you can write off losses
you can pass tax free at a stepped up basis to heirs and never have a mandatory distribution requirement for you and your heirs.

you can also take depreciation on real estate investments in your taxable account.

by organizing the assets correctly your bottom line can be as much as 30% greater .

[foxboro82]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

i would start to think about now manuvering what you have around and starting a taxable investment account.

...

by organizing the assets correctly your bottom line can be as much as 30% greater .

A bit daunting, but something I want to learn more about. Do you have a book/s you might recommend on this?

[mathjak107]

to be honest im not sure. its kind of something i just learned from reading articles , listening to shows and being on forums.