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Maximum 401k Contribution
In today’s volatile stock atmosphere, there are more reasons than ever to make your maximum 401k contribution. Many people are afraid to invest in a stock market that seems to plummet with every passing day and want a safe, protected place to put money for your retirement and your future.
401k accounts are designed to withstand the fluctuation of time. First, investors usually contribute the same amount every month. This means that they are buying more stock when the stock is low priced and less when the market is high. This is a proven strategy for building wealth. Second, investors in 401k accounts save every month from their pre-tax paycheck which makes it so they never feel the impact of the missing money. Making your maximum contribution is a decision that makes good sense in any economic climate.
However, what is your maximum 401k contribution? This is easy to determine. Every year, the IRS sets 401k retirement account limits that are made public. There are a few things you should know about your 401k contribution. First, it applies to all of your 401k accounts combined, so having two accounts will not allow you to invest twice the maximum contribution amount. The IRS also sets an annual ‘catch up contribution’, which is an additional amount that people fifty years of age or older can contribute to their 401k retirement funds. People who are nearing retirement can thus make up for lost time.
There are other circumstances that may affect your maximum contribution. Your employer may cap the amount of money you can contribute from your pretax earnings. Some funds also come with their own set of limits. In situations where you are governed by two or more sets of rules, you are only allowed to put in the smallest amount.
One good reason to make your maximum 401k contribution every year is that your employer may match the funds. This does not count toward your 401k contribution, but it doubles your retirement savings. For every dollar you invest, you are gaining two dollars of principal, plus the compounding interest that can build up to ten or more times your original investment. This is a smart, painless way to save money without making a sacrifice.
401k accounts are protected from fraud and theft by United States law. Investors who lose money due to these fraudulent practices can sue and recover both the principal and the earnings they have lost. An entire branch of the labor department, the Employee Benefits Securities Administration, is dedicated to overseeing retirement accounts and watching for potential fraud.
In a volatile investment atmosphere, making your maximum 401k contribution is a stable way to build wealth without subjecting yourself to high risk. Because the investments are diversified over a variety of sources, the ups and downs of the stock market have little net effect on your earnings in a 401k. The long term nature of 401k investment pads them from the day to day fluctuations of the economy and gives you the chance to systematically save for a happy and well funded retirement.
Maximum 401k Contribution
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