401k's In Action
You need 401k advice. Years ago almost every employee in every company received a pension through a company paid pension plan. People stayed on one job for their entire career and companies felt it was their duty to provide this type of loyalty after retirement as well. The major benefit of having a pension was that the employee didn't need to contribute. It was a gift. Then life changed and so did corporate America. Companies still were willing to help you after retirement, but they looked for other vehicles to do it. And so came the 401k plan.
The 401k became the preferred method for most (non-union) companies to help employees invest for the future. The employer really has no responsibility other than selecting a financial institution, usually a brokerage house, to manage the plan. Even though many companies have a contribution plan where they provide an additional percentage of your own contribution, there is no law saying they need to. In today's financial climate most companies either don't contribute, or they contribute very little.
The law allows employees to invest a maximum of $15, 000 a year. It doesn't matter how much they make. These funds are comprised of mutual funds of varying degrees of safety, and you can choose which ones you'd like to invest in. Keep in mind that you can only invest in what the brokerage firm sponsors.
Although a 401k might seem ideal at first glance, not all are worthy of our hard earned money. There are many plans and funds out that simply don't perform well. Any help you receive as you establish your 401k will most likely be provided by partial salespeople for the investment company who are all on commission to sell their products.
If you try to withdraw any funds from your account before the age of 59, you will be taxed and then stuck with another penalty from the IRS. You invested with pre-tax dollars, so you're going to pay your taxes at the end.
When the time comes to leave your company, don't forget to take your 401k with you. Get some professional financial advice on rolling it over into another 401k or a Roth IRA. - 23222
The 401k became the preferred method for most (non-union) companies to help employees invest for the future. The employer really has no responsibility other than selecting a financial institution, usually a brokerage house, to manage the plan. Even though many companies have a contribution plan where they provide an additional percentage of your own contribution, there is no law saying they need to. In today's financial climate most companies either don't contribute, or they contribute very little.
The law allows employees to invest a maximum of $15, 000 a year. It doesn't matter how much they make. These funds are comprised of mutual funds of varying degrees of safety, and you can choose which ones you'd like to invest in. Keep in mind that you can only invest in what the brokerage firm sponsors.
Although a 401k might seem ideal at first glance, not all are worthy of our hard earned money. There are many plans and funds out that simply don't perform well. Any help you receive as you establish your 401k will most likely be provided by partial salespeople for the investment company who are all on commission to sell their products.
If you try to withdraw any funds from your account before the age of 59, you will be taxed and then stuck with another penalty from the IRS. You invested with pre-tax dollars, so you're going to pay your taxes at the end.
When the time comes to leave your company, don't forget to take your 401k with you. Get some professional financial advice on rolling it over into another 401k or a Roth IRA. - 23222
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