Tag Archives: 401(k)

7 year-end tax tips for mutual fund investors

A surge of cashflow into a business can make it seem like a powerhouse. Yet its bottom line might be underwhelming after taxes and other expenses are figured in. The same can hold true with investing. Read More

Tips for choosing the right target-date fund

The performance of stocks in October — their best month in almost a decade — makes it tempting to peek at your 401(k) balance. Read More

It’s open (enrollment) season on tax savings

Grumbling about taxes is a national preoccupation. Yet workers forgo thousands of dollars in tax savings every year. Read More

Opening a college savings plan? Know the options

Saving for college is increasingly becoming an investor’s game. As tuition continues to climb, state-sponsored college savings plans have become widely hailed as the most prudent way for families to prepare for the future. Read More

401(k) hardship withdrawals require serious thought

The numbers show that times are still tough financially. More workers are taking money from their 401(k) accounts early and using the hardship withdrawal rules to give them access to needed cash. Read More

Market’s down? Time to create a retirement plan

Many big investors look at the drop in the stock market as a buying opportunity. Small business owners should consider it an opportunity as well. Read More

Better Late Than Never: A guide to last-minute retirement planning

A number of individuals approaching retirement age have undoubtedly been affected by the financial and real estate crises of recent years. Read More

In a battered economy, 5 smart moves to get by

The stock market is swinging wildly and the economy is barely registering a pulse. And that presents some opportunities for consumers.
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2 tools for a mutual fund portfolio checkup

Summer and the end of the year are popular times for investors to perform checkups of their mutual fund portfolios to see whether they’re on track with their savings goals. Read More

7 tips for rebalancing your fund portfolio now

Summer is generally a calm season for the financial markets. It offers time to reflect,
check your mutual fund portfolio, and see whether you’re on track with savings goals. Read More

Thinking about financial risks

There are no sure things in the world of finance. The market value of the securities in your 401(k) may rise or fall, the monthly cost of your variable rate mortgage can go up and down. Even Treasury securities will vary in value. Read More

Workers too often tapping 401(k), not a piggy bank

“It’s my money, why shouldn’t I use it?” It’s a mindset that can be a slippery slope when it comes to your retirement savings. Indeed many workers may be robbing themselves of a secure future by viewing their 401(k) account as a piggy bank that can be tapped all too easily. Read More

7 common money moves that can bring bad luck

Unless you happen to trip over a black cat while walking under a ladder outside your financial adviser’s office, nothing should really spook you about your money on Friday the 13th. Still, it’s a good time to remind yourself of money mistakes to avoid throughout the year. Read More

401(k) balances up 12 pct from year ago

The average balance of 401(k) retirement plan accounts managed by Fidelity Investments rose to $74,900 at the end of the first quarter, the highest level since the company began tracking balances in 1998. Read More

A primer on small-cap stocks hitting record high

It’s challenging to get a handle on where the economy is headed. The stock market rises on promising corporate earnings one day, only to slide on disappointing jobs data the next. Still, records are being set. Read More