Information for Plan Participants
Featured Stories
How to Use Your 401k Funds to Start a Business -- One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face, after coming up with their idea, involves financing that new business. If you've been working for some time, you've no doubt had the opportunity to set aside some money to use for this purpose. On the other hand, that savings may not be enough. Did you know there might be a source close to home? It's sitting right there in your 401k plan. This strategy is referred to as "Rollovers As Business Startups" or "ROBS."
Despite Recession Fears, Most 401k Investors Haven't Changed Their Portfolios -- Only 5% of 401k and 403b investors shifted their asset allocations during the second quarter of 2022, according to a Fidelity Investments report. It's not surprising since many 401k investors use target date funds, a "set it and forget it" option that gradually shifts to more conservative assets as they approach retirement. However, there may be opportunities for adjustments in other accounts, experts say.
Avoiding Common Retirement Planning Mistakes -- Most people dream of the day when they can go to bed without having to set an alarm for work. Retirement might seem like a far-off reality but retiring with a viable plan and sufficient money isn't something that happens overnight. To live out your retirement comfortably, you'll have to think ahead and plan accordingly. Unfortunately, it's easy to fall prey to common retirement planning missteps.
401k Losing Money? Here's Why You Shouldn't Panic -- It's been a rough week for stock investors as volatility rocked the market. If you've been peeking at your 401k plan balance, you may be seeing lower numbers than you'd like to. And that can be nerve-wracking. But while it's certainly unsettling to see your 401k plan lose value, it's important not to panic or make any rash decisions. Here's why.
Resources
A chart of the 401k plan contribution limits for year 2016 through 2022.
A glossary retirement plan and investment terms available here.
This is a guide to retirement industry acronyms and abbreviations.
Here is a handy on-line 401k calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions that come to our pension experts.
What is a 401k plan?
A Complete Beginner's Guide to 401k Plans
Does my employer have to provide a matching contribution?
How do I locate an old 401k that I think I contributed to at a former employer?
If I needed to get access to an old 401k, what are my options?
If a Company You Work for Goes Bankrupt, What Happens to Your 401k
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Managing Your 401k Plan Assets
We are not in the investment advice business, but these articles may give you some important insights. You should always consult with your financial advisor for more detailed information and advice.
A Look at 401k Plan Fees
Asset Allocation Made Simple
Behavioral Finance -- What's Behind Your Investing Decisions?
Company Stock In Your 401k -- Keep it Balanced
Investment Basics
Indexing Prevails in "Stock Picker's" Market
The Magic of Compounding
Ten Steps to Making a Financial Plan to Create a Secure Retirement
Making the Transition: A Pre-Retirement Checklist
The Value of Asset Allocation
Nurture Your 401k Portfolio Using Asset Allocation
Why Is Knowing the Investment Style of a Stock Mutual Fund Important?
Understanding Investment Risk
Some Useful Information
We have gathered a few articles and other information on important 401k issues that are often asked about.
Do Surviving Spouses Have a Right to a 401k or an IRA? - Summary: When choosing a beneficiary for a retirement plan, it is important to understand how your spouse will be treated under the plan. Surviving spouses are treated differently under 401ks and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). While a 401k provides protections for a surviving spouse, an IRA does not.
Top 10 Reasons to Join Your 401k Plan - Summary: Compared to other savings plans available to private sector workers, the 401k plan has many good points. Here are our top 10 reasons why you should join your plan.
Loans and Hardship Withdrawals
Articles on the various rules, regulations. practical issues and guidelines related to 401k loans and hardship withdrawals.
401k Retirement Plan Loans: An Overview
401k Hardship Withdrawals: An Overview
Hardship Withdrawals Give Access to 401k Savings, but at a Cost
Emergency Access to Your 401k: Hardship Withdrawals
Do's and Don't's of Hardship Distributions
Eight Reasons to Never Borrow From Your 401k
Don't Tap Your 401k to Pay Off Debt
Other Good Information on and About 401k's
How does a 401k plan work? When does my employer have to deposit my payroll contributions? How can I take an early withdrawals without penalty? Are there warning signs I should look for? What are my pension rights? We have gathered articles on these and other important issues so you can quickly find in depth information and analysis. And we regularly update and add to this content.
Click Here to review all the articles we have on a wide variety of topics.
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