401k plan

Apr 23, 2008 3 Replies

currently invest in a 401k plan in my work but they do not match anythings. My question is should i even have it or should i invest elsewhere?


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Standard advice around here is usually to fund the 401k up to the company match, then fully fund a Roth IRA, and then go back and put in non-matched funds in your 401k with any leftover money. But, do you have any non-mortgage, non-student-loan debt (credit cards, car loan, etc)? What about an emergency fund? If you're in the hole I'd suggest that getting out of it has equal priority to funding the Roth.

-Sandra the cynic

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There is not much to go on here. I'd say it is not an either-or situation but a both-and.

Funding your retirement will take contributions of 10% or 12% of your income if you are young, or more depending on your age. It could be handy at retirement age to have some of that in a Roth IRA, but it can be handy now to have some of it contributed pre-tax.

Dave

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Not enough information. What investment options do you have in the

401k, can you accept stock market volatility without jumping in and out, what other investments do you already have, do you have any debts, do you have an emergency reserve in place, can you afford to contribute to the 401k while doing the other things you need to do, etc.?

-HW "Skip" Weldon Columbia, SC

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