- 2012 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
February 2012
How do you decide how much to set aside for retirement? You might sit down, figure out your budget, and set aside whatever is left. Or maybe you let your employer set the pace by contributing only to the level of your company match. For example, if your employer matches the contributions you make up to 6% of your pay, do you contribute only 6%? Do you know how much you can contribute?
January 2012
Borrowing money from yourself is not always a smart bet
- 2011 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2011
A retirement savings reference guide
November 2011
Over the past year, our Know How series has covered a variety of topics regarding your retirement plan savings. This month, the following five-question quiz on some of those topics will give you a better idea as to what information you retained—and which areas might be good subjects for review.
October 2011
Shedding some light on your 401(k) plan fees
September 2011
Shifting auto-enrollment to a higher gear
August 2011
What is required for required minimum distributions (RMDs)
July 2011
As more and more participants take advantage of "automatic" enrollment in their workplace retirement plans, there is a growing awareness of the investment options designated as "defaults" as well as discussion about a "qualified" default option.
June 2011
Investing for retirement can be complex—in fact, for many it is the most complex part of preparing for retirement.
May 2011
How “liquid” are your retirement plan investments?
March 2011
The markets may have moved your account allocations
February 2011
Borrowing money from yourself isn’t always a smart bet
January 2011
New Roth 401(k) option blends 401(k) and Roth IRA features
- 2010 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2010
Throughout 2010, PLANSPONSOR has published a variety of articles in our Know How series designed to help you, as a retirement plan participant, better manage and understand your retirement plan investments. Here is a summary of those articles.
November 2010
PLANSPONSOR's 2010 Retirement Savings Quiz
October 2010
Ways not to spend that retirement plan distribution
September 2010
How much are you paying for your 401(k) account? Most investors choose a fund based on the expected performance of the investment, but a significant part of that performance can be fees, which often reduce the overall investment gains.
August 2010
Five questions to ask your financial adviser
July 2010
There are a lot of different ways to evaluate your retirement plan: the types and number of investment options, the level and amount of the employer match, and how soon you are allowed to join the plan. Understanding those details will help you do a better job of saving for your retirement—and knowing how your employer’s retirement plan compares with other programs can give you a better appreciation for the program you have.
June 2010
Mutual funds and managed accounts are essentially the same thing: professionally managed portfolios that offer exposure to stocks, bonds, or other securities. Traditionally, a managed account was a special investment pool set aside for wealthier individuals with a lot of money to invest—and that account was invested with their specific needs in mind.
May 2010
What the heck is an exchange-traded fund (ETF)?
March 2010
Does your retirement plan make it easy for you?
February 2010
How do you decide how much to set aside for retirement? You might sit down, figure out your budget, and set aside whatever is left over. Or, maybe you let your employer set the pace by contributing only to the level of your company match. For example, if your employer matches the contributions you make up to 6% of your pay, do you contribute only 6%? Do you know how much you can contribute?
January 2010
Savings resolutions for the New Year
- 2009 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2009
A retirement savings reference guide
November 2009
Do you know enough to make the right choices?
October 2009
When you sit down to make choices with your retirement plan, you are generally presented with a list of fund choices—and given an opportunity to pick ones that will help your retirement savings grow. You also have to decide how much of your retirement savings should be invested in each fund. However, most of us are not investment experts—and even if you have the time, and get the help to make a good decision, you may well be too busy to reconsider those choices on a regular basis.
September 2009
Your options and what to consider
August 2009
A growing number of retirement plans now make available an option that can help you make the right investment choice for your retirement plan.
July 2009
Is your 401(k) enough?
June 2009
As we head into vacation season, would you set out on a long driving trip to an unfamiliar destination without a map, a full tank of gas, and some directions?
May 2009
One of the most powerful incentives to participate in your 401(k) is the company match, the money that your employer contributes to your retirement savings account based on your contribution, the "free money" that is frequently touted in those annual enrollment meetings.Of course, that money isn't really "free" to your employer and, with so many struggling in the current recession, a growing number have decided to cut back.
March 2009
Know what's required for required minimum distributions (RMDs)
February 2009
If you were to die tomorrow, who would be entitled to your retirement plan distribution?
January 2009
So, you have done all the right things—taken advantage of your employer’s workplace retirement savings plan, gotten the benefit of the company match, made prudent investment choices, perhaps even invested in an age-appropriate target-date fund—and yet, the last couple of months have taken a toll on your retirement savings account.
- 2008 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2008
A retirement savings reference guide for participants.
November 2008
Do you know enough to make the right choices?
October 2008
It may seem too good to be true. Even Albert Einstein called compounding "the greatest mathematical discovery of all time." There's no sleight of hand involved, but—as with most "magic"—what is really going on is a lot simpler than you might think.
September 2008
Ways not to spend that retirement plan distribution.
August 2008
Shedding some light on your 401(k) plan fees
July 2008
You've heard it before—planning for retirement is like planning for a trip. You need to know where you're going, when you'll get there, and what the dress code is—or you'll wind up lost, late, and underdressed for the occasion.
June 2008
Even if you are not participating in your retirement plan currently, odds are you know you should be, and you probably plan to do so in the future.
May 2008
Borrowing money from yourself isn’t always a smart bet
March 2008
Do you know how much your 401(k) costs?
February 2008
How to spot trouble with your retirement savings plan.
January 2008
Uncle Sam gives retirement savers some extra help.
- 2007 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2007
A retirement savings reference guide for participants.
November 2007
How much do you know about retirement?
October 2007
A growing number of retirement plans now make available an option that can help you make the right investment choice for your retirement plan.
September 2007
Ways not to spend that retirement plan distribution.
August 2007
If you've ever been frozen in your tracks by the sheer number of ice cream flavor choices at Baskin-Robbins — or walked into a Starbucks, glanced over the menu, and wondered, "Where's the coffee?"— then you can appreciate the disadvantages of too much choice.
July 2007
How to give yourself a pay raise from your 401(k).
June 2007
Maybe it was that report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), perhaps the recent Congressional hearings or reports about the new 5500; of course, it might have been the Department of Labor's recent request for information, perchance the recent series of revenue-sharing lawsuits—or more than one of the above?
May 2007
Make a good decision today—for tomorrow. Here's how it works
March 2007
Recently, you may have noticed some additional information with your retirement plan statement—information that is designed to help you make more informed decisions about your retirement plan investments.
February 2007
By now, you probably have heard about a new pension law that was passed last summer: the Pension Protection Act (PPA).
January 2007
New Roth 401(k) option blends 401(k) and Roth IRA features
- 2006 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
November 2006
How much do you know about retirement?
October 2006
Lifestyle funds mean you can put your eggs in one basket
September 2006
Ways not to spend that retirement plan distribution, and what to consider
August 2006
As we head into vacation season, would you set out on a long driving trip to an unfamiliar destination without a map, a full tank of gas, and some directions?
July 2006
Back in 2003, the headlines were filled with stories about questionable mutual fund trading practices by large investors, a few mutual fund managers, and, yes, even 401(k) plan participants. Those practices involved illegal late-trading—buying and selling mutual funds after the market closed—and market-timing which, though not illegal, was a practice most mutual funds said they discouraged, either through cutting off trading privileges or through the imposition of fines, called redemption fees.
June 2006
Are your 401(k) fees invisible?
May 2006
Optimistic assumptions can make for an uncomfortable retirement.
March 2006
Don't take our word for it. Even Albert Einstein called compounding "the greatest mathematical discovery of all time" and, as with most "magic," what is really going on is a lot simpler than you might think.
February 2006
How your company match adds up to "free" money for you
January 2006
Deciphering that 401(k) statement
- 2005 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2005
A retirement savings reference guide for participants
November 2005
Test your retirement investing "know how"
October 2005
Ways not to spend that retirement plan distribution
September 2005
For most people, the hardest part of saving for retirement is not deciding if they should save, not deciding how much to save, but trying to decide which investment fund(s) they should pick. So, if you are struggling with that decision, cheer up: You are not alone. However, a growing number of retirement plans now make available an option that can help you make that choice. It goes by different names: Most people call it a "lifestyle" fund, but you also may hear it called an "asset allocation" fund (generally by those who want to impress you with their financial prowess).
August 2005
New Roth 401(k) option blends 401(k) and Roth IRA features
July 2005
Make a good decision today – for tomorrow
June 2005
Once you get started saving, pay attention to your retirement plan investments
May 2005
Answers to Social Security questions
March 2005
If you have not heard of an HSA, you are not alone, according to recent surveys.
February 2005
Uncle Sam gives retirement savers some extra help
January 2005
The "gift" that keeps on giving
- 2004 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2004
A retirement savings reference guide for participants
November 2004
Test your retirement investing knowledge
October 2004
Having trouble picking investment funds?
September 2004
Do you have a plan for your retirement distribution? Your retirement plan distribution may be years away, but it is never too soon to be making plans that will help make sure your savings last as long as you need.
August 2004
Surprises can be a lot of fun, but not in your retirement savings account
July 2004
How much is enough?
June 2004
Optimistic assumptions can make for an uncomfortable retirement
May 2004
Getting a handle on fund choice
March 2004
Deciphering that 401(k) statement
February 2004
How much are you paying for your 401(k) account?
January 2004
Have mutual fund practices put your retirement at risk?
- 2003 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2003
A retirement savings reference guide
November 2003
These days it is not uncommon for schools to “pre” test students to see how much they know or, in some cases, how much they remember from a prior year.
October 2003
What to do—when you don't know what to do
September 2003
Not that you are thinking about it at the moment but, sooner or later, there may be a job change in your future (including that most popular of job changes, the one to retirement). When it comes, there will be a lot to think about—so, rather than wait until then, take a few minutes now to consider what you should do with your retirement plan savings.
August 2003
How to give yourself a pay raise in your 401(k)
July 2003
Are your investment choices living up to expectations?
June 2003
How do you decide how much to set aside for retirement? You might sit down, figure out your budget, and set aside whatever is left over. Or, maybe you let your employer set the pace, by contributing only to the level of your company match. For example, if your employer matches the contributions you make up to 6% of your pay, do you contribute only 6%? Do you know how much you can contribute?
May 2003
How your company match adds up to "free" money for you.
March 2003
Getting ready for a retirement plan relocation
February 2003
Deciphering that 401(k) statement
January 2003
Has a holiday “binge” thrown your balances out of whack?
- 2002 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
December 2002
How to boost your retirement savings
November 2002
Testing your retirement knowledge
October 2002
Figuring out how much you need for retirement
September 2002
What to do with your savings when your employment status is changing?
August 2002
How to reach your retirement goals
July 2002
How to set the right benchmarks for your fund investments
June 2002
Even Albert Einstein called compounding "the greatest mathematical discovery of all time"
May 2002
Borrowing money from yourself isn't always a smart bet
March 2002
Does an annuity make sense for you?
February 2002
What do all the numbers on your statement mean and how did you "do"?
January 2002
When was the last time you checked in on your retirement account?
- 2001 KNOWHOW Participant Guides
September 2001
What to do with your 401(k) funds when you leave your job