Is a 401k account really a good investment?

Is a 401k account really a good investment?
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1 Answer

Answer :

That depends. If you are not a good saver and traditionally spend your money quickly, a 401K is a good investment to make sure you have money when you retire.
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Related questions

Can you recommend some things I should think about and/or investment opportunities I should consider (e.g. 401k, Roth IRA, etc) and how to decide where to start?

Description : Can you recommend some things I should think about and/or investment opportunities I should consider (e.g. 401k, Roth IRA, etc) and how to decide where to start?

Last Answer : The most important thing is just to start!

What is the better investment. A series of roth acounts,or 401K ?

Description : What is the better investment. A series of roth acounts,or 401K ?

Last Answer : Roth accounts are better because you do not have to pay taxes on the growth. However, if you are above the income limit to contribute to a Roth, a 401K is better than nothing. If possible, invest in both.

Although I'm no longer employed, I have a 401K account through a former employer. Is there a way for me to continue contributing to that 401K account?

Description : Although I'm no longer employed, I have a 401K account through a former employer. Is there a way for me to continue contributing to that 401K account?

Last Answer : I am not a financial wizard or anything, but I’m pretty sure you can not continue contributing to that account. Have you looked into rolling it over into an IRA and then you can add your contributions to that IRA.

Where can I find any information on guaranteed retirement account proposals and claims of confiscation of 401k funds?

Description : Where can I find any information on guaranteed retirement account proposals and claims of confiscation of 401k funds?

Last Answer : answer:I hadn't even heard the term until you mentioned it. It's all news to me. I did a google search for Guaranteed Retirement Account and found the same links you can find doing that search. So I ... right-wingnuts. I don't know yet, but it's something else to know about'. Thanks for the Q.

I have credit card debt, and a 401k account from my last job that equals that debt, what are my options here?

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Last Answer : Are you sure about the $2k? I believe you lose more than that because you are looking at taxes + penalties for early withdrawal. I would try to negotiate with the credit cards to get a lower interest rate. Also, if you have any room, try to do a balance transfer (watch out for the transfer fee).

How would I open a 401k account?

Description : How would I open a 401k account?

Last Answer : A 401k is a employer sponsored retirement plan for small and large companies. You can visit sites like Fidelity.com to apply for a 401k account.

What will happen if I decide to withdraw money out of my 401K account before I reach retirement age?

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Last Answer : You will get nailed with at least a 10% penalty and have to claim it as taxable income besides, unless you can do it on a 401k loan wich you repay to yourself at a set interest rate. (a much better idea)

What is the best way to roll over a 401k account?

Description : What is the best way to roll over a 401k account?

Last Answer : To avoid any penalties you should roll your 401k into an IRA account.

I have a 401k account from a previous employer can I roll my funds over to a money market account without penalties and withdrawl from it months down the road ?

Description : I have a 401k account from a previous employer can I roll my funds over to a money market account without penalties and withdrawl from it months down the road ?

Last Answer : A lot of the answer depends on your age. If you are younger than 59 1/2 you will have a 10 % penalty on the amount you withdraw from your 401K and the amount will be regarded as income in ... 401K but there are regulations the IRS has on how much you can withdraw each year depending on your age.

Can you rollover an old 401k into an IRA account?

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Last Answer : You can roll over a 401k account into your IRA account. This is cost effective and relatively easy.

Can I roll over my 401k plan from my last employer to my IRA account?

Description : Can I roll over my 401k plan from my last employer to my IRA account?

Last Answer : Yes you can in fact do this. You will have to speak to the company who has your IRA and discuss with them the steps in order to do this.

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MIS account in multiple of Rs. 1500/- can be made instead of Rs. 1000/- MIS and the maximum limit of investment in a single account has been raised from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 4.5 lakh and in joint account opened by two or three adults; the maximum limit has been raised from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 9 Lakh. Wef a) 01.8.2007 b) 12.5.2008 c) 30.08.2009 d) None of these

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Last Answer : a) 01.8.2007

Mark the correct option a) In case death of the one depositor of joint account holder , in the MIS account the account will be treated as single from the date of death of the account holder b) The surviving depositor will have withdraw the excess amount over and above the maximum limit of investment by single depositor. c) If this amount is not withdrawn, the excess amount will carry the normal saving bank interest d) All the above

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Wanting to take money out of 401k, does there need to be a reason?

Description : Wanting to take money out of 401k, does there need to be a reason?

Last Answer : answer:TL;DR - It depends, but probably. Rules vary a ton between plans. They're always going to ask and there are some good, helpful, reasons for them to. There are also a few steps to ... best first step is probably to give them a call and just ask questions until you know all your options.

Would it be wise to use your 401K to pay off your house?

Description : Would it be wise to use your 401K to pay off your house?

Last Answer : Depends on the interest rate of your mortgage and if you'll incur a penalty for early withdrawal, but generally speaking, no. With regard to the early withdrawal penalty, the magic number is 59 and ½. Let' ... could earn more than 5% if you invest it. But as I say, YMMV, depending on your situation.

Is this a smart idea, to take a loan out of my 401k for?

Description : Is this a smart idea, to take a loan out of my 401k for?

Last Answer : answer:I think you should start a side fund, if you can, to save money for your venture, rather than to touch your 401K. I was in a financial pinch a while back for about the same amount of money and ... s something that can wait a month or two for you to pull together the money, I'd wait and save.

How can I find out whether I have a 401k from an old job?

Description : How can I find out whether I have a 401k from an old job?

Last Answer : There will be someone at the company designated as the 401K administrator, probably in Human Resources or Payroll. Call and ask who that is and speak to that person.

How is your 401K doing?

Description : How is your 401K doing?

Last Answer : This past year—it’s value increased between 5 and 6%.

Why are businesses rarely offered precious metal mutual funds by their 401k management company?

Description : Why are businesses rarely offered precious metal mutual funds by their 401k management company?

Last Answer : Even in mutual fund market, precious metals are very high risk and may burn even very savvy fund managers

How is your 401K doing?

Description : How is your 401K doing?

Last Answer : This past year—it’s value increased between 5 and 6%.

Can you lose money in your 401K?

Description : Can you lose money in your 401K?

Last Answer : Yes you can. If you’re invested in something, and it loses money, you lose money.

What happens if I cash out my 401k?

Description : What happens if I cash out my 401k?

Last Answer : It’s a bad idea…but YEP we’ve had to do it. I’m not sure what your tax bracket is however, you can withhold the taxes when you cash out. Make certain you do that or you’ll have to come up with cash at tax time in April.

Where did my 401K go?

Description : Where did my 401K go?

Last Answer : Didn’t you keep any of your annual statements? Did you roll it into your next employer’s plan?

How much have you lost in your 401k?

Description : How much have you lost in your 401k?

Last Answer : I have nearly 20 years before I can take anything out so I’m not even looking at it. It would hurt to much. Now would be a great time to be putting money in though, especially if you were strictly dollar cost averaging and not panicking.

What's your 401K looking like this quarter?

Description : What's your 401K looking like this quarter?

Last Answer : Like I wish I’d had followed my own instincts and moved the $$ after I lost the first $10K… But it’s getting better. I just wish I still had what I started out with in April of last year.

I have a good amount of money invested into my 401k as a 26 year old. I'm thinking about just cashing it out and taking the loss of half the money i invested. Which kills me to think about this. But I'm afread of this ecomony and this amero. Should I just cash it out? Or wait? I'm thinking I could loss more if I just left it in... Am I right?

Description : I have a good amount of money invested into my 401k as a 26 year old. I'm thinking about just cashing it out and taking the loss of half the money i invested. Which kills me to think about this. But I'm afread ... it out? Or wait? I'm thinking I could loss more if I just left it in... Am I right?

Last Answer : Don't do it. A 401K is an investment that is meant to grow over time. Sometimes you lose sometimes you gain, but short of an economic disaster you will gain if you leave it alone. The tax you will ... pay on the money you withdraw will be yet another loss on top of the future gains you will losing.

How do I track down a 401k from a previous job?

Description : How do I track down a 401k from a previous job?

Last Answer : Contact the accounting department for your ex-company.

What are you doing with your 401k?

Description : What are you doing with your 401k?

Last Answer : answer:Buy low. Sell high. So buy, buy, buy. This too shall pass. :)

SHOULD I REDUCE 401K DEDUCTION TO PAY CREDIT CARD DEBIT?

Description : SHOULD I REDUCE 401K DEDUCTION TO PAY CREDIT CARD DEBIT?

Last Answer : If your tax savings and 401K investment return combined are higher than your credit card debt interest, then no.

I Need My 401k Money Now should I Borrow from 401(k)?

Description : I Need My 401k Money Now should I Borrow from 401(k)?

Last Answer : Borrowing from 401k is a good and also a bad idea. If you borrow from 401k, you will get deeper in debt. Imagine, you work hard and you are get taxed by the government to fund the 401k, ... . Borrowing money is not the solution to your Financial Problem. Always solve your problem, don't escape it.

All About Your 401k?

Description : All About Your 401k?

Last Answer : A 401k is a retirement plan that is used exclusively in theUnited States. An employee elects to have a portion of his or herwages diverted in a savings account, or a 401k. Some companiesoffer ... are tax deferrable, any money that you should choose toput aside will be deducted from your yearly ear

Why Should You Complete A 401K Rollover?

Description : Why Should You Complete A 401K Rollover?

Last Answer : There are multiple benefits to saving via a 401K plan. First,you get tax deferral with a regular 401K plan. The amountcontributed to your 401K reduces your current year federal andstate taxes. ... this problem is to perform a 401Krollover. While there are multiple options for a 401K rollover,

401k ira?

Description : 401k ira?

Last Answer : One of the most important aspects of having good financialresponsibility is properly preparing for retirement. To prepare forretirement you will need to set up long term investment goals,maintain your investments ... the other hand, an IRA is madewith post tax contributions. While this may sound

Is there any penalty with a 401K rollover to IRA?

Description : Is there any penalty with a 401K rollover to IRA?

Last Answer : You can avoid penalties doing a rollover, but you have to follow directions completely. There are deadlines that have to be met when requesting the procedure.

Are there any circumstances where I can take an early withdrawal without penalty from a 401K retirement plan?

Description : Are there any circumstances where I can take an early withdrawal without penalty from a 401K retirement plan?

Last Answer : There are a number of restrictions and requirements regarding early withdrawals from a 401K. Additionally, the IRS regulations often change. Your best bet is to discuss your situation with your fund manager or consult with your tax professional.

Is a 401K the same as an IRA?

Description : Is a 401K the same as an IRA?

Last Answer : A 401k and a IRA are different. A 401k is a employer sponsored plan while a IRA is not.

How do I open a 401k?

Description : How do I open a 401k?

Last Answer : Go to an investment broker (many banks have these) and open the account. You'll need to decide how much of your paycheck you want to put into the 401k. Note that there is a ... a company sponsored 401k available. Many times your employer will match your contributions up to a certain percentage.

Under what circumstances can you withdraw from a 401K without a penalty?

Description : Under what circumstances can you withdraw from a 401K without a penalty?

Last Answer : If you cannot get money from any other source and you need money for something like staving off foreclosure (financial hardship), you can withdraw money with no penalty. Taxes would be need to be paid and you can only withdraw the exact amount you need.