<prompt> Human: Hey There Personal Finance,Im a commission employee who had a very nice year last year. My employer owns me around 20k and in the past Ive taken a big fat check, which has a big chunk taken out as taxes. Last year I used that check to put a down payment on a house for my wife and son, and this year, well, Im looking down the road. As I stated above, my job has no structured 401k plan, and Im a finical rube. I have no idea what I should do, 401k? Ira? Give it to David lee Roth? I can take that money any way I want, I can take it as one lump sum, spread it out over the next year per pay check, take 13 of it at a time, whatever. what is the best way to maximize my earnings for future retirement?  <response>: Max out your IRA 5500 to start 