The SPARK Institute Makes the Case for 401(k) Plans

The SPARK Institute Makes the Case for 401(k) Plans: "'Employer-sponsored retirement programs, particularly 401(k) plans, have been under attack based on many misperceptions and misunderstandings,' said Goldbrum. 'As a result, we felt it was necessary to set the record straight with facts.'

'The 401(k) plan system is successful, fundamentally sound, competitive and innovative,' Goldbrum said. 'Since their inception, they have helped tens of millions of American workers save and increase their retirement savings for their post-work years.'"

Retirement Dreams Disappear With 401(k)s - CBS News

Retirement Dreams Disappear With 401(k)s - CBS News: "The effects of the current economic crisis have touched everyone. Even if you still have a good job and a paid up mortgage, chances are your monthly 401(k) statement will remind you that you've lost a good chunk of your savings.

Trillions of dollars have evaporated from those accounts that have become the prime source of retirement funds for a majority of American workers, affecting their psyche and their future. If you are still young enough, there's time to rebuild and recover, but if you are in your 50s, 60s or beyond the consequences can be dire, and its drawing attention to the shortcomings of a retirement system that has jeopardized the financial security of tens of millions of people."

IFAwebnews.com | Congressmen seek changes to U.S. 401(k) system

IFAwebnews.com | Congressmen seek changes to U.S. 401(k) system: "Two congressmen want changes to the nation’s 401(k) plans, including greater disclosure of fees and better access to information about plans for participants.

Rep. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.), chairman of the House Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Labor and Education Committee, are expected to reintroduce legislation that failed last year, when the nation’s 401(k)s lost more than $2 trillion."

Why the 401(k) Industry Needs Reform Right Now | ETF Trends

Why the 401(k) Industry Needs Reform Right Now | ETF Trends: "The criticism of the 401(k) industry is getting louder and harder to ignore, and even Congress is paying attention. Rep. George Miller has a schedule of reforms that many investors and experts would like to see implemented. Rep. Miller is taking the mutual fund industry to task over their hand in the decimation of many individual investors’ portfolios, and this could solidify the case for ETFs to enter into this investment arena once and for all.

There are two big issues here: extremely poor fee disclosure and a lack of good education. Rep. Miller is working hard to take on this issue on both fronts.

This Sunday’s 60 Minutes focused on the need for more reform within the 401(k) industry. Watch it at CBS’s website."

How to Roll Over Your 401(k) Into an IRA | 401K | Retirement | Mainstreet

How to Roll Over Your 401(k) Into an IRA | 401K | Retirement | Mainstreet: "Have you recently been laid off, or left money in 401(k) plans at previous employers? You can move your retirement funds to a rollover IRA, a tax-advantaged individual retirement account you can open yourself, even without an employer."

All about IRA: 401k Investor Guide For the Clueless

All about IRA: 401k Investor Guide For the Clueless: "In your 401k plan you need to make two basic major decisions. First, how much to contribute each pay period. Second, how to invest. Consider this your basic investor guide to how to invest in your 401k plan.

We'll take this step by step, and keep it simple. This investor guide is designed to get you started down the right path. As you gain experience and learn how to invest, you can then fine tune your investment strategy."

Capitol Weekly: Calpensions: Push to overhaul private-sector pensions

Capitol Weekly: Calpensions: Push to overhaul private-sector pensions: "Government retirement systems have to worry about rebuilding their pension funds without squeezing taxpayers or forcing deep cuts in other government services. But their retirees will continue to receive monthly checks.


In the private sector, individuals with 401(k) investment plans devastated in the stock market crash are simply out of luck, if they can’t wait years or decades for earnings to rebuild their funds.


Now there is at least one organized drive, Retirement USA (and reportedly talk among other groups) pushing for an overhaul of private-sector retirement plans and extending coverage to the half of all U.S. workers who only have Social Security."

Less than half of U.S. 401(k) money in stocks, report finds - It's Only Money

Less than half of U.S. 401(k) money in stocks, report finds - It's Only Money: "But it's not what you might think.

For the first time in at least a dozen years -- maybe ever -- Americans have less than half their 401(k) assets invested in stocks, The New York Times reports. Yet it's not because they shifted a bunch of their assets (only 6 percent has been moved to fixed-income investments), according to Hewitt Associates. And more than half of all new contributions are still invested in equities.

Why the plunge, then? '... the equity stake in these accounts contracted with the market,' the story reveals.

Another reason to at least consider whether your account's investments need to be rebalanced."