Today I joined my 401(k) Plan offered by my company. I realized that if I don’t contribute at least $1,500 a year, I’ll be loosing out on the matching $1,500 my employer contributes for free.
It’s as good as free money, I encourage anyone with an employer 401K match to contribute before the year is up! Otherwise you’re throwing away free money.
Checkout MorningStar’s web site for fund research (they have a great fund screener), and the Snapshot is a good quick glance at how the fund is doing. I typically look at YTD, 1YR, and 3YR returns, and also if it has a 5-star rating.
Be wary, I’m not an investment expert or advisor.
Great advice to join the 401(k)… While some feel comfortable managing their own 401(k) others are turning to professionals to manage their 401(k) for them. This kind of service, called a managed 401(k), is gaining in popularity (about 20% of companies now offer this kind of service). I would recommend that you check with your HR contact to see if they offer it. We put up a blog to discuss the finer points of the managed 401(k) if you’re interested…
Great advice there… and stick with your 401k over the longer term… why? this news piece says: http://www.research401k.com/401k-longterm-growth.html
A study carried out by 2 Washington DC state organizations revealed that 401k participants who contributed payments towards their employer sponsored 401k retirement plans over the past 7 years have seen growth rates of over 50%. This is inspite of the tech boom bust of 2000 and market declines in 2002. Here is some data published by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Investment Company Institute (EBRI):
personally i’m at the $50k level, and sticking with my 401k over the longer term