Raising Money$mart Kids: To Max Out Your 401(k) or Not: That is the Question

Welcome to Raising Money$mart Kids!

What do YOUR kids know about the value of a buck? If you're like most families, finances aren't often discussed. Some parents feel that talking about money makes their kids feel like they're poor. Others may not know where or when to start to help their kids learn about budgeting or business or banking.

Here at Raising Money$mart Kids, you will find articles on everything from setting up an allowance to running a lemonade stand to helping kids make better purchase decisions. You can ask questions get help from the community.

So, grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair!

Monday, November 22, 2010

To Max Out Your 401(k) or Not: That is the Question

Every year, investors face the choice of whether to max out their allowable 401(k) contributions. If you don't, you lose that contribution room. If you do, you have less money for paying down debt and current spending. Here are some considerations to ponder when deciding whether to max out your 401(k) contributions.
******************************************

Should You Max Out Your 401(k)?
The Pros and Cons of This Oft-Touted Investment Strategy

A company 401(k) is one of the most popular retirement investment tools available. The plan allows a maximum investment of $16,500 per year (for 2010) and $22,000 for those over 50 years old. As with all other retirement investment platforms, there are both reasons to max out your 401(k) each year and some cautions about doing so.

Maxing Out Your 401(k) -- Pros:

1. Potential company match -- Many corporate 401(k) plans have a provision that provides for company matching of contributions, usually up to a certain percentage of income. This is "free money" and an overall benefit to the investor. It is worthwhile to at least contribute enough to get the maximum matching benefit, even if you do not max out contributions.
Read more...

No comments:

Post a Comment

Piggy Banks to Paychecks

“It doesn’t matter how old your children are or how difficult your financial situation is. It doesn’t matter where you start to teach your kids about money. It doesn’t matter what kind of allowance system you choose to set up with your kids. It only matters that you get started- right now, with the tools you have to work with and the knowledge you already have.”Piggy Banks to Paychecks tackles the subject of money head-on in an easy-to-understand, friendly format. If you are a parent,grandparent, teacher, or otherwise involved in helping kids learn financial basics, this book is for you. In its pages, you’ll find straightforward answers on saving, wise spending, investing, and donating. You will find help in setting up an allowance plan for kids and various methods of tracking savingsand evaluating purchases. You will learn the language of money and be able to set your children on the path to fiscal responsibility – the greatest gift you can give them.