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American Airlines

Resources and Advice Focused for Pilots of American Airlines and their Families

How We Help American Airlines Pilot Families
How We Help

American pilot families have access to a range of retirement and health benefit options—including the company sponsored 401 (k) (pre-tax and Roth), and Backdoor Roth IRA. This plan includes unique features such as company contributions, contribution limits, and in-service Roth conversions—all of which can be complex to navigate. In addition, understanding and selecting from American’s health benefit options can be equally challenging.

At Leading Edge, we help you understand the nuances of each of these benefits and make informed decisions aligned with your financial goals.

We also offer investment management for your American Airlines 401(k) through BrokerageLink at Fidelity, helping you stay on course with your retirement strategy.

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Navigate Health Emergencies with Confidence

Aviation professionals face unique stressors – especially when it comes to maintaining their medical certification. Even minor health issues can lead to major financial consequences if you’re not properly prepared. As aviation families ourselves, we understand the stakes and the stress. Pilots have several ways to protect their income and their families from the financial impact of health emergencies. These include:

Short-term disability insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Loss of license coverage

Accrued sick time

Emergency savings

We work with pilot families to evaluate their options and create a tailored plan that fits their unique needs. And when a health emergency does occur, we’re here to help you navigate the financial side—so you can focus on recovery.

Resources for American Airlines Pilots

American Market-Based Cashed Balance Plan (MBCBP)

  • November 7, 2025
  • LEFP
In this video, Mark Covell breaks down the new American Airlines Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP), a major update that may significantly impact pilots earning

Beware If Moving to Low Tax State

  • August 22, 2025
  • LEFP

Thinking of Relocating? Beware If Moving to a Low-Tax State In this video, Kevin Gormley, CFP®, CPA, PFS and Jason Reagan, CFP®, RICP from Leading

Pilots & the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill: What You Need to Know

  • July 18, 2025
  • LEFP

In this video, Kevin Gormley, CFP®, CPA, PFS from Leading Edge Financial Planning breaks down how the new tax bill may impact pilots at every

Effectively Utilizing Roth Funding to Prevent a Potential Retirement Income-Tax Bomb!

  • July 1, 2025
  • LEFP

I was working with a client family recently and we took a moment to appreciate the fact that because they started saving in Roth IRAs

Rich Pilot, Poor Pilot – Mastering Wealth-Building Strategies

  • June 13, 2025
  • LEFP

Kevin, CFP®, CPA, PFS from Leading Edge Financial Planning breaks down the importance of smart asset selection for pilots, highlighting the differences between productive, non-productive,

The Opportunity of a Lifetime: New Pilots are Making More Income than Ever Before!

  • March 1, 2025
  • Charlie Mattingly

The Opportunity of a Lifetime: New Pilots are Making More Income than Ever Before! What an amazing time to be a professional pilot! You have

If I Could Tell Every Airline Pilot One Thing…

  • March 15, 2024
  • Charlie Mattingly

If I Could Tell Every Airline Pilot One Thing… If I could tell every airline pilot one thing it would be, save more money! I

Financial Thoughts on Moving to the Left Seat "Captain"

  • January 18, 2023
  • LEFP

FINANCIAL IMPACT OF MOVING TO THE LEFT SEAT What are the financial implications when Pilots are upgraded from First Officer to Captain (moving to the

Warren Buffet Hates Airlines… So What?!

  • May 26, 2020
  • leadingedgedev

Berkshire Hathaway recently sold its entire stake in Delta, Southwest, American, and United Airlines and stock prices fell after the announcement.  What is interesting is

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