From the category archives:

401K Planning

jeff-rose-financial-planner-illinois

Choosing Between Traditional Vs. Roth 401ks

by Jeff Rose on January 16, 2010

in 401K Planning

The Roth 401(k) may appeal to workers willing to forego a tax break now in return for getting one at retirement. As its name implies, the Roth 401(k) combines features of a traditional 401(k) with those of a Roth IRA.  If you have access to both, which one is best for you?  Let’s take a closer look at a Roth 401(k) vs. the traditional 401(k).

Roth 401k Vs. Traditional 401k: Which Is Best?
Creative Commons License photo credit: urban_data

[…]

Consolidate Retirement Accounts With a 401k Rollover to IRA

December 14, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for Consolidate Retirement Accounts With a 401k Rollover to IRA

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Americans change jobs about 10 times between the ages of 18 and 42. If job changers had an 401k account at just half of those positions, it would represent a significant money management challenge: multiple redundant investment portfolios and a mountain of account statements and investment documentation [...]

Read the full article →

How Much Can You Contribute to Tradtional and Roth 401k’s in 2010?

November 2, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for How Much Can You Contribute to Tradtional and Roth 401k’s in 2010?

2010 is coming and many have been wondering if 401k contribution limits would increase, decrease or stay the same. For those that have taken steep losses in their retirement accounts, maxing out their 401k, either traditional or Roth, is one of the only ways to try and get their portfolio back to respectable [...]

Read the full article →

Roth 401k For Businesses Big or Small

October 23, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for Roth 401k For Businesses Big or Small

Why are more businesses offering Roth 401k’s? Simply put, more firms are recognizing their advantages – especially when it comes to the retirement planning of professionals, business owners and executives.  Whether your a self employed business owner to a larger corporation, you may want to consider a Roth 401k vs. regular 401k.  Here’s a few [...]

Read the full article →

Why You Should Keep Contributing to Your 401k

October 12, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for Why You Should Keep Contributing to Your 401k

With the way the market is behaving, you may be tempted to pull money out of your 401(k) right now or greatly reduce your contributions. When you see your 401k continue to drop even though your adding money every paycheck, it may feel as if you are just throwing money away.  If you’re considering stopping [...]

Read the full article →

What Are Your Options for a 401k Rollover to IRA?

September 28, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for What Are Your Options for a 401k Rollover to IRA?

When you leave your job, either voluntary or not, you have to make an important decision regarding your 401(k).   Many aren’t familiar with all their options on what they can do with their 401(k), but making the wrong choice could cost you.  Most people are familiar with the 401(k) rollover concept but still need some [...]

Read the full article →

In Service Distribution- 401k Rollover While You’re Still Working

September 1, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for In Service Distribution- 401k Rollover While You’re Still Working

photo credit: stevendepolo
Remember the good old days of whistling while you work in regards to your 401k?  Your company used to have a very nice match to your 401k.  Your balance was at at all time high and retirement seemed like just over the horizon.   Then 2008 came along and the whistling [...]

Read the full article →

Can You Rollover Your 401k to a Roth IRA?

August 17, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for Can You Rollover Your 401k to a Roth IRA?

Whenever you leave your job, you have a decision to make with your 401k plan. Typically, most people will initiate a 401k rollover to a traditional IRA. A common question that I’ve been getting lately is if you can roll over your 401k into a Roth IRA and how you do it.  Or [...]

Read the full article →

7 Things To Know About a Solo 401(k) Plan

June 3, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for 7 Things To Know About a Solo 401(k) Plan

Recently joining the ranks of the self-employed by starting my own firm in 2007, I no longer had the option to contributing to my previous employers 401k.  Having my own business, I was now open to a slew of retirement plan choices.   I could do a Simple IRA, SEP IRA, or the Solo 401k plan.   [...]

Read the full article →

401k Rollover to IRAs Offer a Wide Range of Benefits

March 9, 2009 401K Planning

The best part about a 401k rollover to an IRA is that it’s much easier than teaching your dog to do the same trick.  Even better is that  compared with employer-sponsored retirement accounts, a 401k rollover can provide you with the broadest range of investment options and the greatest flexibility for distribution planning at retirement. [...]

Read the full article →

Are You Vested?

February 24, 2009 401K Planning
Thumbnail image for Are You Vested?

I know what you’re asking yourself right now, “What’s up with the vest?”  No, I’m not sharing the latest deals at Old Navy.  What I’m referring to is vesting schedules as it pertains to your retirement plans.  Vesting schedule….what’s that?  A vesting schedule is a way for your employer to give you some incentive to [...]

Read the full article →

Should You Cash Out Your 401k?

January 28, 2009 401K Planning

This is another guest post from Joe Plemon from Plemon Financial Coaching.  Joe is the Money Columnist for The Southern Illinoisan.
Q:  I am so worried about my 401(k) retirement account.  I am planning to retire in three years and the value continues to drop.  Should I cash out my 401k now in order to avoid [...]

Read the full article →

2009 401k Contribution Limits Have Increased

January 2, 2009 401K Planning

You knew it was coming.  The contribution limits for your 401k have increased for 2009.  For many this doesn’t mean much, because who wants to put more money in their 401k right now, right?  I’m sure many have perceived the 401k as one of the biggest money traps for 2008.  But for those that see [...]

Read the full article →

Four Options With Your 401k When Changing Jobs

December 19, 2008 401K Planning

Last December, when I left my previous employer to start my own business, I had an important decision to make on what to do with my existing 401k.  Luckily, being a financial planner, I knew exactly what I was going to do, but many others that are not in the profession or really don’t have [...]

Read the full article →
Page 1 of 212