 401(k) Tips Get on a successful savings plan to max your 401k benefits
1. Max out your 401(k) More than half of all eligible employees aren't taking full advantage of their company's 401(k) match. And a third haven't even signed up. Keep it simple
Don't let anxiety about choosing from the sometimes intimidating number of investment options keep you from signing up. Check out Resolution No. 2 for simple ways to put together the right mix of investments. You can always change your selections later. Get all of the match
Elect initially to contribute at least as much as your company requires to get the full employer match, which is usually between 3% and 6% of your salary. Create your own plan
If you don't have access to an employer-sponsored plan, create your own facsimile: Open a conventional IRA, Roth IRA or SEP-IRA and have your bank transfer a set amount into it every month from your checking account. 2. Ratchet up your savings Try these painless ways to accelerate your savings. Save half your raise
Increase your contributions by half the amount of any salary bump you get (or, better yet, all of it). You'll increase your level of savings without cramping your lifestyle. Sign up for auto-escalation
This feature is becoming more common in 401(k)s: You sign up once, instructing your plan provider to automatically increase your savings rate by an amount you choose (usually between 1% and 3%) on the same day every year. No fuss, no bother. Take baby steps
Or bump up contributions yourself, starting with a percentage point or two. If you make $80,000, an extra 2% will add $1,600 in pretax dollars to your account by 2007, but you'll lose less than $25 from your weekly paycheck. 3. Look beyond retirement You can apply the same principles of automated savings to other goals, such as building an emergency fund or saving up for your kids' tuition. Automate everything
Most major banks, brokerages and fund companies will allow you to set up automatic monthly cash transfers into a designated savings or investment account. Match the vehicle to the goal
For your emergency fund, use a safe, liquid vehicle like an online bank or a money-market fund. For medium term goals, look at short-term bond funds. |
