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Featured Stories

How Do You Obtain a Hardship Withdrawal From Your 401k -- Here are the general rules on how to obtain a 401k hardship withdrawal.

Understanding the New Super Catch-Up 401k Rule: A Game Changer for Retirement Savings -- The Super Catch-Up 401k rule is a new legislative provision designed to help individuals aged 60 to 63 significantly boost their retirement savings by allowing them to contribute more to their 401k plans beyond the standard limits. This rule expands on the existing catch-up contributions available for those 50 and over. This is an overview of the new rule.

Roth or Regular? -- Vanguard's "How America Saves 2024" reveals that 82% of employers provide a Roth 401k option alongside a traditional 401k, but only 17% of employees utilize the Roth option. Having access to a Roth 401k can enhance your retirement income and tax strategy, offering greater diversity and flexibility. The article outlines important factors to consider when choosing between a Roth and a traditional 401k.

Retirement Savings Calculator -- This worksheet helps you determine what percent of pay to save for retirement. These calculators are provided only as general self-help tools. Results depend on many factors, including the assumptions you provide.


Resources

A chart of the 401k plan contribution limits for year 2019 through 2025.

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?

The Beginner's Guide to 401ks

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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