Last updated: June 2026
The short version
CliffCalculator.com is free to use. To keep it that way, some links on this site — particularly on our Open an Account page and in our Learn articles — are affiliate or referral links. If you click one of those links and later open and fund an account, the brokerage may pay us a referral fee. This costs you nothing extra.
Our recommendations come first — the links come second
We built this site because we believe the MAGI strategy is genuinely useful for working families navigating the benefits cliff. We recommend Traditional IRAs and the brokerages on our list because they have no minimum balances, low or no fees, and support Traditional IRAs — not because they pay the most in referral fees. If a brokerage stopped being a good fit for our audience, we'd remove it regardless of any partnership.
What "affiliate link" actually means
An affiliate link is a normal link with a small tracking code attached. When you click it, the brokerage knows the visit came from CliffCalculator.com. If you go on to open an account — and in some cases, fund it with a minimum amount — the brokerage may pay us a one-time referral fee or a small percentage.
- It does not cost you anything extra
- It does not affect the fees, rates, or terms you receive from the brokerage
- It does not give us access to your account or personal information
- You can always navigate directly to a brokerage's website instead of using our link — the brokerage's product is identical either way
Our current and potential partners
We've researched the following brokerages because they support Traditional IRAs with no or low minimum balances — a key requirement for the audience this site serves. Affiliate relationships with these partners may be pending, active, or not yet established at any given time.
| Partner | Why we recommend them | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| CalSavers | California's state-run retirement program — no minimum, no fees, built for workers without employer plans | No affiliate relationship — recommended independently |
| Betterment | Automated investing, $0 minimum, ideal for hands-off beginners | Affiliate partner (pending/active) |
| Fidelity | Zero-fee index funds, $0 minimum, excellent support | Affiliate partner (pending/active) |
| M1 Finance | Fractional shares, automated rebalancing, low minimum | Affiliate partner (pending/active) |
| Tastytrade | $0 minimum, low-cost trading for active investors | Affiliate partner (pending/active) |
| Robinhood | $0 minimum, commission-free trading, beginner-friendly app for hands-on investors | Affiliate partner (pending/active) |
| Charles Schwab | Full-service, 24/7 phone support, low-cost index funds | No affiliate relationship currently |
What we'll never do
- We'll never recommend an account that doesn't support a Traditional IRA, since that's central to the MAGI strategy this site teaches
- We'll never recommend an account with a minimum balance that excludes the families this site is built for
- We'll never accept a sponsorship that conflicts with our core message: that earning more and protecting your benefits are not mutually exclusive
This is education, not personalized financial advice
Nothing on this page or anywhere on CliffCalculator.com is personalized financial, legal, or tax advice. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please speak with a qualified financial advisor and your county social worker before making decisions about your benefits or investments.
Questions?
If you have questions about a specific link, partnership, or recommendation, reach out via our Community page.