We fill the tax deferred bucket by maxing out 401ks, after that it is pretty much real estate for available cash. This year 2018, we are getting ready to exit work so will probably do up to the company match (6%) and then kinda think. Fed and state and local taxes on the top dollars are steep with the state taking the amounts below, School district taking 1.5%, 5% for state, and 33% for the feds, those last dollars are only worth 60 cents after taxes. That kind of makes me want to keep maxing the tax deferred.
3.960% on taxable income between $83,351 and $104,250.
4.597% on taxable income between $104,251 and $208,500.
4.997% on taxable income of $208,501 and above.
And the feds taking
Taxable Income Tax Rate
$75,301—$151,900 $10,367.50 plus 25% of the amount over $75,300
$151,901—$231,450 $29,517.50 plus 28% of the amount over $151,900
$231,451—$413,350 $51,791.50 plus 33% of the amount over $231,450