Although it might seem like a chore, reviewing your 401(k) from time to time doesn’t have to be painful. The best way to save for retirement is to let things run on autopilot, but you can’t completely set-it-and-forget-it. A periodic review will help ensure that you’re on track, and you can review the most important […]
by
IRA or 401(k) – What’s the Difference Anyway?
You have to make a lot of decisions as you plan for retirement. Among those decisions is the choice to use an IRA or 401(k) to save money. Which one should you use, and what’s the difference between them anyway? Can you even do both? Let’s figure that out. IRA versus 401(k) If you like […]
by
What are the Benefits of 401(k) Plans?
401(k) plans are powerful tools for retirement planning. But they’re not perfect – the benefits of 401(k)s have come into question even to the point where some people suggest avoiding them altogether. Before giving up on the 401(k), it’s important to understand the benefits that a 401(k) plan offers. You might ultimately decide that it’s […]
by
What to do with Your 401(k) at Retirement
So, the day has finally come for you to call it quits. What should you do with your 401(k) at retirement? Most people don’t know because they spent years and years building up their 401(k) accounts, but the focus was on accumulation (not on using the money). They’re like climbers at the summit of Mount […]
by
What is the Retirement Age?
As you start to imagine your life without a day job, you may wonder what the retirement age is. The truth is that you can retire whenever you feel like it – the question is whether or not you can afford to retire at a particular age, given the resources available to you at that […]
by
What to do With a 401(k) When Leaving a Job
When you change jobs, you have to figure out what to do with your 401(k) savings. You have several options, and each of them has advantages and disadvantages. Once you know what all the options are, choose the best one for your needs. So, what can you do with your 401(k) when you leave your […]
by
What is a 401(k) Plan?
401(k) plans are employment benefits designed for saving for retirement. For some people, a 401(k) is the only retirement asset they have. Unfortunately, most people never learn how these things work from the ground up. And whenever there’s confusion about how something works, people tend to get overwhelmed and do nothing until they feel more […]
by
How to Invest in a 401k
401k plans often require that you pick your own investments. If you’re like most people, you might not know where to begin. Fortunately, you probably have some resources available to you, and you can also figure a few things out on your own if needed. Let’s review the basics of how to invest in a […]
by
How Often Should I Check my 401(k)?
If you’re saving for retirement in a 401 K plan, it’s probably up to you to manage the money in your account. This responsibility can be intimidating, and you might not know where to begin. Furthermore, you get a lot of mixed signals: some people say that you should keep a long-term perspective, while others […]
by
401k Money Markets – Losing Money
One of the safest investment options in the 401k, some money market funds are losing money. Increasingly, investors in 401k money market funds look at their statements and find they have less money than they put into the fund. Negative returns in a money market fund? How can that be? It’s probably not due to […]