Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA vs 401(k) vs HSA vs Mega Backdoor Roth vs Pension: The Complete 2026 Guide to Every Retirement Account Seven retirement accounts. Different tax benefits. Different rules. Different income limits. This guide cuts through the confusion — comparing each account side by side, ranking them by tax advantage, and showing you exactly how to allocate your money if you earn the U.S. median household income in 2026. Quick Summary (2026 Numbers): The most tax-advantaged retirement accounts in order are: HSA → Pension → Mega Backdoor 401(k) → Roth IRA → Traditional 401(k) → Traditional IRA → Backdoor Roth IRA. For a median U.S. household earning approximately $85,000, the optimal strategy is to capture your full employer 401(k) match first, fund your HSA second, then max your Roth IRA, then return to maximize your 401(k). All contribution limits below reflect official 2026 IRS figures. Why This Decision Matters More Than Which Stock You Pick Most people sp...