Viewpoints about 401(k)
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Who regulates retirement plans?
Three U.S. government agencies play key roles in making sure that retirement plans are operated for the benefit of participants. Here’s what they are and what each one does.
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What’s a safe harbor 401(k) plan?
Does your traditional 401(k) plan have trouble passing the nondiscrimination tests? Want a retirement plan that’s easier to administer? A safe harbor 401(k) plan could be the answer. Learn why.
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Don’t let emotional biases drive your finances off course
You may not be aware of your biases, but they could be affecting your behavior and your finances, including your retirement plan. In fact, a combination of time constraints, lack of knowledge and energy, and the influence of emotions can lead people to make irrational and less-than-ideal investment decisions.
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Tap into the tax benefits of saving in a 401(k)
401(k) plans give your retirement savings special tax treatment. Understanding the tax implications of saving in your 401(k) can help you cut your tax bill today and, possibly, over the course of your lifetime.
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Group annuity or trust company—which is better for a 401(k) plan to make investments available?
Retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, offer participants the opportunity to save and invest for their future. To protect participant assets and enable them to be invested, plan sponsors must hire a provider that can recordkeep the plan and also hold the plan’s assets and provide access to investments. The two types of entities through which recordkeepers do this are generally insurance companies and trust companies. It’s helpful to understand both arrangements and the terms involved.
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How inflation can affect your 401(k)
Over time, prices tend to go up—which is called inflation. Because of inflation, how much you spend on everyday items changes from year to year, even if what you buy doesn’t. If you want to be able to maintain your standard of living in retirement, you’ll need to account for inflation as you plan how much you should be saving.
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14 answers you should know about 401(k) eligibility and vesting
Eligibility and vesting among the most profound decisions you make about a 401(k) plan. Based on a thorough review of ERISA regulations, here’s some bite-sized information to help you understand the basics.
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2020’s lessons for 401(k) participants and financial professionals
Now that 2020 is hindsight, it’s important to look back and see what lessons it has for us. We’ve taken a look at the actions our retirement plan participants took in 2020 to gauge what kind of help they may need as they look forward in 2021.
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ERISA and the 401(k) plan: a short history
Knowing the history of ERISA and the 401(k) plan can help you understand your ERISA duties—and execute them effectively.
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65 commonly asked 401(k) plan questions—and where to find answers
From enrolling, to investing, to taking withdrawals, people have questions about their 401(k) plans and how to use them. Here are some of the common questions—and links to recent Viewpoints that can help answer them.
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