The investment ladder

A step-by-step priority guide for where your next dollar should go — tuned for Stanford employees on the SCRP.

Your situation

Annual salary

Years at Stanford

Filing status

Monthly fixed costs ?

Current emergency fund ?

Target months of fixed costs ?

High-interest debt

Health plan

HSA coverage level

Have kids / planning?

Cautious emergency fund strategy ?

Your priority order

Sources & further reading

Stanford SCRP: Basic & matching contributions ↗
Official match formula, basic contribution schedule, and true-up details.
Stanford SCRP: Plan overview ↗
TDA, Roth 403(b), and CRA account types. Eligibility and enrollment.
2026 SCRP contribution limits ↗
IRS limits: $24,500 elective deferral, $72,000 total (415 limit), catch-up amounts.
Stanford HSA details ↗
Employer contributions, limits, and eligibility for the Choice HDHP.
Backdoor Roth IRA — visual guide ↗
Step-by-step mechanism, pro-rata rule, and 30-year projections.
Bogleheads: Prioritizing investments ↗
The canonical investment priority framework this ladder is based on.

Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Stanford benefit details are based on publicly available 2025–2026 plan documents and may change. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.