Monday, September 16, 2013

ADVICE FOR NEW EMPLOYEES

Here is some good advice for college grads who are starting their first job -

·      If your employer offers a 401(k) plan contribute as much as you can afford to the plan – preferably at least the maximum that will be “matched” with employer contributions if this is done - and consider splitting your contributions between a “traditional” plan and a ROTH 401(k) if a ROTH option is offered by your employer; and

·      If your employer does not have a 401(k) plan, or if you cannot yet participate in the plan yet – or even if you can - contribute as much as you can afford to a ROTH IRA account.  If you want to be safe, invest in an “index” mutual fund. 

Tax-free compounding is a great thing.  Here, from “Getting an Early Start on Saving for Retirement” at 360 FINANCIAL LITERACY, is a chart that illustrates the power of tax-free compounding and hits home the benefit of starting to save for retirement early -

Contribute $200/month to age 65 at different hypothetical earnings rates
 
Start at age 20
Start at age 30
Start at age 40
Start at age 50
2%
$174,931
$121,510
$77,764
$41,943
4%
$301,894
$182,746
$102,826
$49,218
6%
$551,199
$284,942
$138,599
$58,164
8%
$1,054,908
$458,776
$190,205
$69,208
 
TTFN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

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