401(k)s and you (mostly me)

[demi]

Today, we had the chance to sign up for a company 401k plan here.

Not knowing absolute shit balls about what I would be signing up for, I did it anyway.

Is this a good idea at my point in life? I'm looking for differing (or similar) opinions on the subject. If you need any specific info on this I can try to find it, they gave me some folder.

I was always told to get one if the opportunity arose, but I'm completely clueless on the subject. Am I just throwing money away?

[Mr. Gundam]

You're not throwing your money away, start investing for your retirement as early as possible. Does your company do any sort of matching?

[demi]

Yes, they match 50% if I put in a certain amount (6%) -- I did that.

[Mr. Gundam]

Yes, they match 50% if I put in a certain amount (6%) -- I did that.

Good. At the very least, you should always contribute up to what your company will match.

[G The Resurrected]

I would highly suggest you only put in the 6% unless they have annual percentage goals for contributions. If they have those goals you should be going over your 6% since you might be able to write it off when you do your taxes.

Who is managing the 401K? Is it company manage or is it farmed out to another company? I ask cause if its internal you need to be more aware of your companies stability and longevity, versus if it were being managed by a large bank. A lot of people lost money from both but your more likely to loose your money if your company is not financially sound. You wouldn't want a company like THQ being in charge of it cause they are about to go down the drain.

congratulations on moving up in the world, welcome to adulthood!

[demi]

I'm pretty certain it's another company.

[G The Resurrected]

Also if you ever leave your company and have to roll over. Please for the love of god, if they are still around. Roll it into a IRA, they are easy as heck to deal with and you don't have to pay any penalties.

[demi]

Why is that?

[G The Resurrected]

Roth IRA's are tax free and penalty free, there's lots of advantages to having one. But then you have to roll over your 401k it's the easiest solution. You'll get continued growth over the longterm and eventually you'll want to be using a IRA anyways later on in your life.

[Brehvolution]

I only wish I had more to dump in my 401k in the Great Crash of 2008/Obama's election. I know people who cashed out and lost a ton of money during the free fall. I let it ride and upped my contribution percentage as high as I could. I've almost doubled my money since then.

[pilonv1]

9% mandatory retirement funds 

[Mr. Gundam]

State pension

[Steve Contra]

State pension

[Eric P]

I only wish I had more to dump in my 401k in the Great Crash of 2008/Obama's election. I know people who cashed out and lost a ton of money during the free fall. I let it ride and upped my contribution percentage as high as I could. I've almost doubled my money since then.

I did that too but ended up making my contribution over 5k so I got penalized. THANKS OBAMA

[Joe Molotov]

social security

[Robo]

You should invest your money in things that never depreciate, like happy memories. 

[demi]

[Van Cruncheon]

manufacture bitcoins

[Mr. Gundam]

You should invest your money in things that never depreciate, like happy memories. 

And cock pics. They're the new gold.

[Steve Contra]

social security

[Brehvolution]

Just checked my 401k. It's up 60% from this point last year.

[Mr. Gundam]

State pension

Laugh all you want, mine is pretty damn good.

I've also got a Roth IRA that I contribute to.

[G The Resurrected]

Depends on your state when it comes to pensions. California's sucks, cause you can't even get it if you've been hired in the last two years. Federal is where its at though!

[Mr. Gundam]

They've actually made the WA retirement plan worse since I started, but I'm grandfathered in on Plan III. Plan IV is apparently really bad.

[Steve Contra]

State pension

Laugh all you want, mine is pretty damn good.

I've also got a Roth IRA that I contribute to.

Oh, I realize it's probably good, but in 30 years, I doubt anyone from any state will have a pension anymore.