If you don't know what a 401k is, it's essentially a savings plan that is used to help someone prepare for retirement. As money is regularly taken out of one's pay, it is then pooled into a separate account that can be used once retirement is reached. You might know the importance of saving, but did you know that there are other ways to get the most out of your 401k? Here are 4 tips, offered by Bob Jain, to help you do so.
Robert Jain, as well as other authorities on finance, will tell you that your raises matter. If you receive an increase in pay at your job, it's the perfect opportunity to increase how much you contribute to your 401k every week or two weeks. The more that you contribute, the earlier that you can retire. While you don't have to dedicate the entirety of your raise to your 401k, increasing the amount saved to any degree pays off.
Next, consult your employer to see if they can match your contribution. Believe it or not, there are many places of work that match the amount that their workers save toward their 401k plans. What this means is that, depending on how much you put into your account, your employer will be able to match it. This is free money, in a sense, and it all but ensures that you get to retire sooner than you previously anticipated.
What if you find yourself in a position where you need money fast? Dipping into your 401k savings may be the worst thing that you can do, as it can severely impact your savings in the long-term. It also doesn't help that you are liable to be penalized, meaning that you might have to pay back more than what the money you take out is worth. An important rule to remember is to forget that you even have a 401k. It makes saving up for retirement that much easier.
Lastly, if you are truly focused on getting the most out of your 401k plan, make it a point to review your progress at the end of the year. This will give you the opportunity to evaluate the progress you've made, not to mention implement any changes that you see fit. These could relate to savings, meaning that you might increase or decrease them depending on your financial situation in general. Whatever your goals entail, a review session at the end of the year is recommended.
Robert Jain, as well as other authorities on finance, will tell you that your raises matter. If you receive an increase in pay at your job, it's the perfect opportunity to increase how much you contribute to your 401k every week or two weeks. The more that you contribute, the earlier that you can retire. While you don't have to dedicate the entirety of your raise to your 401k, increasing the amount saved to any degree pays off.
Next, consult your employer to see if they can match your contribution. Believe it or not, there are many places of work that match the amount that their workers save toward their 401k plans. What this means is that, depending on how much you put into your account, your employer will be able to match it. This is free money, in a sense, and it all but ensures that you get to retire sooner than you previously anticipated.
What if you find yourself in a position where you need money fast? Dipping into your 401k savings may be the worst thing that you can do, as it can severely impact your savings in the long-term. It also doesn't help that you are liable to be penalized, meaning that you might have to pay back more than what the money you take out is worth. An important rule to remember is to forget that you even have a 401k. It makes saving up for retirement that much easier.
Lastly, if you are truly focused on getting the most out of your 401k plan, make it a point to review your progress at the end of the year. This will give you the opportunity to evaluate the progress you've made, not to mention implement any changes that you see fit. These could relate to savings, meaning that you might increase or decrease them depending on your financial situation in general. Whatever your goals entail, a review session at the end of the year is recommended.
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