Information for Plan Participants
Featured Stories
Inherited 401k: What Beneficiaries Need to Know -- If a loved one has named you as a beneficiary of their 401k, knowing how to make the best use of the bequest is another way to honor them. How to best use an inherited 401k depends on several factors, first and foremost your relationship with the primary account holder. Here are the key rules to know when inheriting a 401k and how to avoid some major penalties.
What Is the Rule of 55 and How Does It Work? -- The rule of 55 can benefit workers who have an employer-sponsored retirement account such as a 401k and are looking to retire early or need access to the funds if they've lost their job near the end of their career. It can be a lifeline for workers who need cash flow and don't have other good alternatives. Here's how the rule of 55 works and whether you should consider using it.
Retirement Myths: Busted -- Many common beliefs about retirement aren't true. Falling for them can harm your retirement strategy. This article looks at five common retirement myths.
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 2018 through 2024.
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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