How Should Pilots Use Their Accounts? 401(k)s, Roths, HSAs, and Brokerage Accounts

As pilots move through their careers, financial accounts can start to build up across different stages of life. A current 401(k) or TSP. Old employer plans. Rollover IRAs. Roth accounts. Backdoor Roth opportunities. An HSA. A taxable brokerage account. Spouse accounts. Each one may have been opened for a good reason, but over time the full picture can start to feel scattered. In this episode of Pilot’s Portfolio, Timothy P. Pope, CFP® begins a practical account-by-account conversation for professional pilots and their families. Timothy walks through 401(k)s, TSPs, pre-tax and Roth contributions, after-tax contributions, mega backdoor Roth planning, IRAs, rollover IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and taxable brokerage accounts. He also explains why old IRAs can complicate backdoor Roth contributions, why brokerage accounts can provide flexibility, and why investment placement across account types can matter for taxes. This is the first part of a short account-focused series. Future episodes will continue with employer-sponsored tools such as deferred compensation, market-based cash balance plans, ESPPs, and account strategies for children. Get more insights and takeaways from this episode on our newsletter article! If you’re enjoying Pilot’s Portfolio and finding these conversations helpful, we’d really appreciate a 5-star review on your podcast platform of choice. It helps more professional pilots and their families discover the show: - **Apple Podcasts:** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pilots-portfolio/id1718915375 - **Spotify:** https://open.spotify.com/show/5p2Tkf16Q9lV693lHV4Zo9 Have a question you’d like Timothy to address, or want to explore how 360 Aviation Advisors helps professional pilots plan around taxes, retirement, investments, and life transitions? Schedule An Appointment Our Practice’s Website **Contact Us: info@pilotsportfolio.com** This episode is sponsored by: Beacon Relocation Beacon Relocation is a real estate firm helping pilots and air traffic controllers save money on their real estate transactions. By tapping into their network of over 1,500 real estate agents across the country, pilots can save 20% of the real estate agent’s commission towards your closing cost on the sale or purchase of your home. Visit https://www.beaconrelocation.com/ to learn more. **Timothy P. Pope is a Certified Financial Planner™and principal owner of 360 Aviation Advisors, LLC (“360 Aviation Advisors”), a registered investment advisory firm. Investment advisory services are provided through 360 Aviation Advisors, in its separate and individual capacity as a registered investment adviser. Podcast episodes are provided through Pilot’s Portfolio, in its separate and individual capacity.** **We try to provide content that is true and accurate as of the date of publishing; however, we give no assurance or warranty regarding the accuracy, timeliness, or applicability of any of the contents. We assume no responsibility for information contained on this website and disclaim all liability in respect of such information, including but not limited to any liability for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or misleading or defamatory statements.** **Links to external websites are provided solely for your convenience. We accept no liability for any linked sites or their content and remind you that we have no control over their content. When visiting external web sites, users should review those websites’ privacy policies and other terms of use to learn more about, what, why and how they collect and use any personally identifiable information.** **Usage of this content constitutes an explicit understanding and acceptance of the terms of this disclaimer.**