With people retiring in record amounts and withdrawling their earnings from IRA's, 401k's to fund retirements makes me wonder if there are enough people putting money into the market keep it afloat.  If more people are selling than buying, then it will decline in value right?
136070
Does the dog wag the tail or the tail wag the dog.  If the overall economy goes into a depression/recession than we could have a large market crash.  We could also have a market crash due to fear, terrorism etc. which could lead to an economic depression/recession due to the large loss of wealth.  It is a fine balance that takes place in the financial markets.
31614
Consult a financial consultant that specializes in Tax-Sheltered investments.  In the days before the IRA and 401K's they were quite popular.
77029
Unlikely that kind of growth in mutual funds.  They are for safe, slower growth investing.  You would need something volitile, like oil stock to make that much money that quickly, and you stand to lose money that way.
511867
If you were lucky enough to create a savings for your retirement great! But for many others, living day to day on a minimal benifit is terrible.They  are our great survivors of the drought, wars, depression, etc...they have given many things in our life for us to live better. The governement should at least give them a proper income raise each year that coincide with their pay raises !!!!!
120587
My idea would be to sell out your traditional ira and put the remaining into your roth ira. You should be talking to your financial advisor about all this. He or She should know all this and be able to guide you what to do. if not, time to get a new Financial advisor. But, at least check out this site which I pulled for you while doing my own research. It looks like it nails it on the head of what your asking about. Read it thoroughly and take it in, then talk to your financial advisor and go from there. Hope I was of some help to you. Good luck! Shuuutnstr =o)\nhttp://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/news/taxguide/20060102e1.asp
519941
It could be. That is a very subjective question. Some people buy stocks without ever seeing an annual report or 10-k. What kind of analysis are you doing? What information are you looking for? In general, do as much research as you think you need to make sure this is an investment you're willing to make.
22006
There is no limit to the number of 401(k) plans you can have, other than the number of employers you have/had. Some employers require that you remove your funds within a certain amount of time; others just like having your money.\n\nI usually take my funds out of a 401(k) plan and put it into an IRA so that my old company cannot continue to manage (or mis-manage, think Enron) it. If you transfer it to a qualified IRA, there is no penalty. Talk to your old company and whoever's handling the IRA to make sure you transfer it properly ... there are usually standard forms. DON'T TAKE IT OUT FIRST AND THEN TRY TO RE-DEPOSIT IT ELSEWHERE ... THAT WILL INCUR PENALTIES!!
303576
Strangely enough, though I don't know where you're from, we pay taxes ALL of our lives right up until we're retired. There are also medicine being developed so people can live longer.\n\nThe contradiction here is: older people + taxes they've paid all their lives = no money when they retire.\n\nAs much as I hate to be crude ... wtf?\n\nAnyway, yes, the property will have to be sold unless you (or another willing relative) has the money to support the needy relative.\n\nI lost an inheritance that way and I'm seeing a friend facing the same trouble. The moral of the story is? Government, stop fixing the highway and save that cash up for me when I'm too old to work... Or stop research to make me older and not give me money ... it sucks either way
230746
E Trade is good, but you will have to pay every time you buy/sell a stock. Why not get a no load mutual fund invested in a Roth IRA (minimal openeing balance) at Vanguard or Fidelity. You are a great age to start an IRA.
28249
The question is would you need to start withdrawing from the 403b when you retire in a few years? While contributing to the 403b would allow you to defer taxes on the income now, you wouldn't have very long to let those savings compound and you wouldn't want to allocate your assets within the 403b very aggresively unless you are able to let the funds sit for several years after retirement.\n\nRemember, also, that you would incur penalties on any withdrawals prior to age 59 1/2 from your 403b. Additionally, many 403b programs use  Tax Sheltered Annuities as the investment chassis. These annuities may have surrender charges assessed on withdrawals during the first several years after investing. \n\nIf you do decide to go ahead with the 403b, make sure you read the prospectus and all related info, especially in regards to withdrawal charges.
677055
Depends on your age.  I'm 61 and still heavily invested in mutual funds . . . yes the current market tightens up my gut a little, but I don't need or want to use my money for at least 6 years.  I can't name a source but if you dig around a little, you'll see that stocks have averaged around 11%  a year over the last 75 years.  Yes, around 11% including the Great Depression years.
80786
Most companies will not sell it to anyone under age 50.  I advise my clients to purchase it with a 10 year payment option over their last 10 years before retirement.  Have it paid up before retirement while you're still working and income is higher.  It also protects you against future rate increases.  Talk to a number of professionals as there are many plans out there with numerous options.
26042
good question.  401k's are excellent vehicles for preparing for retirement.  The greatest part about them is that usually your company gives you free money when you participate, called a match.  The way it usually works is that you decide how much, either dollars or a percentage of your income, you want to put in to the plan.  Then you decide which investments to pick (this can be tricky without knowing what they offer).  Ask the person offering the plan to help. Use a mix.\n\nWhatever you put into the plan is deducted from your income.  Heres an example:\n\nYour income:               $40,000\nContribution amt:   5%:    $2000 \nCompany match 50c per $:   $1000 \nup to 5%                    \n\nTotal contribution:        $3000\n\n(New taxable income:$38,000)\n\nIf you do this until normal retirement age of 60 and get a 10% return on your money over that time, you'll end up with almost $1,200,000.  \n\nSince now youre only taxed on $38,000, when you decide to retire and get your money you have to pay taxes on all the money you take out (not the whole $1.2 million unless you take it all at once).  If you take it out before your 59 1/2 you will have to pay an additional 10% penalty on whatever you take out. There are exceptions.\n\nThese are pretty much the pros and cons, but if you start now and stay consistent you'll be able to retire very comfortably.
65484
I am certain that you can NOT take losses on a Roth IRA. I know that you Can't take such loses with a 401K and assume the same would apply.
558108
Please talk to your 401K/IRA administator.  The rules are complex and you shouldn't trust the information you get from a bunch of strangers on the internet.  Good luck!
351507
Hello,\n\nI completely agree with wanting to invest your money.  Afterall, what's the point of making money if you can't make more money with your money (got that?)?  Anyway, I've tried all different investments from stocks and bonds to IRA's, 401k's, and real estate.  I'm really a big fan of diversification.\n\nHowever, the only investment I've really been happy with so far is real estate.  Over the past 5 years, I've bought 3 different properties (all have tenants, and I'm making more than the mortgage payments on 2 properties).  \n\nThe 3rd property I got  was using Carleton Sheets no money down methodology (he's a GURU in real estate, and yes, his methods do work!).  You can actually buy a property for absolutely nothing down (NO MONEY FROM YOUR OWN POCKET).  I payed over $500 for his course 3 years ago, and I just saw it online for $9.95!!!!  This is a steal at $9.95 (I'm actually going to buy it for my friends for Christmas).  It was featured on TV, so I got the website from there.\n\nBefore you invest in anything, I highly suggest the Carleton sheets course.  http://www.alllsite.info/real-estate.php
292995
it seems good to people who make financially investments.  You will notice that return on mutual funds are doing good, 401K etc.  The interest rate to borrow money is higher  now and the return on investing your money is higher which yields a win/win.