Managing your 3A investment accounts effectively is key to optimizing tax benefits at retirement. It is recommended to own at least five 3A accounts by retirement age, as this allows for staggered withdrawals—one account per year over the five years before retirement—thereby reducing the tax burden. However, there's often no clear guidance on when to open and start contributing to new accounts.

This application provides a calculation to help determine the optimal timing for opening and contributing to multiple 3A accounts. The goal is to ensure that, by the end of the period, each account has approximately the same balance.

The calculation simplifies the process by assuming consistent contribution amounts and annual performance across all years, resulting in smooth projections. However, actual durations and contributions should be reviewed individually, as real-world performance and personal circumstances may vary.

An important insight from this calculation is that, due to compounding effects, earlier accounts require shorter contribution periods compared to those opened later. Thus, it is beneficial to open additional accounts earlier and work towards balancing the account values closer to withdrawal. This is especially important because transferring funds between 3A accounts is not permitted, making early planning and distribution key to an effective 3A investment strategy.