Can someone tell me an easy way to plan my retirement?
339696
Save as much as you can, definitely take advantage of the Thrift Savings Plan, and invest--- maybe in Real Estate.    Buy a home and stay there long enough to build up equity--meanwhile you have tax expemtions and you're not throwing "rent"  money down the drain.
630556
You definitely want to roll it over to a self-directed IRA, where you'll be able to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, and yes, even CDs.  Stay away from the bank, their idea of a good return on an IRA is a 5% CD. No one under 55 should ever have CD's in their IRA, it's a waste of both your age (which can be a powerful weapon) and the IRA's tax-deferred status.  CDs are for much older people, or for money that needs to remain somewhat liquid--which is something IRA money does not.\n\nDespite Scuhbby's inane assertion that the average mutual fund does 16-30% (no, the average mutual fund loses money), mutual funds are absolutely the way to go.  Pick a broadly diversifed mix of assets classes, cover all your bases, and remember to rebalance every year.  A financial advisor might be able to help you with this, but if you have the tools, talent, and time to do it yourself, go for it.  And oh yeah, the discipline, which is the most important.\n\nMake sure you hit all the asset classes, such as large-, mid- and small-cap stocks, international stocks, investment grade and hi-yield debt, foreign debt, commodities, real estate, and precious metals.  Come up with a mix you're comfortable with, and sit back.  A properly allocated diversified portfolio will average 8-12% return per year, on average, and you'll be able to take advantage of the IRA's tax-deferred status.\n\nMOST IMPORTANT, if you qualify income-level wise, IMMEDIATELY look into converting your IRA (once you've rolled over the 401k) to a ROTH IRA.  Thus, not only will your preserve your tax-exempt status year-to-year, you'll also ensure all future earnings will be 100% TAX-FREE.  Even a normal IRA/401k requires you to pay taxes when you take distributions.  Converting could have some current year tax consequences, so consult a financial advisor for your specifics, but in nearly every case I have found it to be worth it.\n\nHope this helps!\n--J.
441242
These sites could help :\nhttp://www.seekful.com/indx.cfm?q=Retirement%20Speeches\nhttp://www.foolonahill.com/farewell.html
1186755
Automatic savings.  Open an IRA for retirement and automatically have $200 per month taken out of your pay and put in that account until you max out on the yearly limit.  You could even more than $200 in now, since the year is half over.\n\nPay yourself first.  You can't spend it if you never see it.  Your old self will thank the smart young self that started saving.
517192
Buy a diversified series of mutual funds. Individual stocks are just way too risky in most cases, especially for novice investors, even if they look like a sure thing.  How are Enron and Worldcom doing right now?\n\nMake sure you hit all the assets classes, like Large cap stocks, small/mid cap stocks, international stocks, emerging markets stocks, government debt, corporate debt, hi-yield debt, foreign debt, emerging markets debt, real estate, commodities, and precious metals. That's 12 categories right there, so let's say you get started with with $1200, you're talking about $100 each. \n\nThen sit back and rebalance each year, back to your original percentages. This is called asset allocation. The thinking being, what's BEEN hot is more than likely not going to STAY hot. All markets, after all, are cyclical.  This is why people who invest their 401(k) by just putting in whatever's had the most recent best numbers never get anywhere--they're investig in something that DID will and IS probably NOT doing well.\n\nThis sort of portfolio should average 8-12% per year, so just split the difference and say 10%. Will it do 10% EVERY year? Of course not. I'd be surprised if it ever did EXACTLY 10%. That's an annual average. With that average, your money should double roughly every 7 years. \nSo, in 7 years you should have about $2,000\nin 14 years you should have about $4,000\nin 21 years you should have about $8,000\nin 28 years you should have about $16,000\nin 35 years you should have about $32,000\nin 42 years you should have about $64,000\nin 49 years you should have about $128,000\nin 56 years you should have about $256,000\nin 63 years you should have about $512,000\nin 70 years you should have about $1,024,000!\n\nOf course, if you keep adding money in, say $100 a month, you'll become a millionaire MUCH sooner. The key is discipline, and sticking in when markets are up OR down. Don't try to time the market--you'll NEVER get it right.\n\nHere's a handy formula:\n\n$100/month x 12% retutn x 20 years = $100,000.  \n\nSo if you invest $300 a month, you can expect to have $300,000 or so in 20 years, depending on what return you get.  And remember, even if you stop there, that money itself will double again in 7-10 years, depending.  Then double again.  Then double again.  You get the idea.\n\nIn short, you can make a HELL of a lot of money, with a small output on your part, if you do it right, and are patient.\n\nOh, and if you qualify, and do this all in a Roth IRA? Then every penny will be 100% TAX-FREE. That's a deal that's too good to pass up. That's why I tell all my under-30 clients--if you make under $90,000, and therefore qualify to do a Roth, you'd be a fool not to. Just having the power of youth (and therefore time) on your side is such an advantage, to squander it would be such a waste!\n\nHope this helps!\n--J.\n\nP.S. The previous answerer's advice about contacting Edward Jones is gold.  I would go to their website at www.edwardjones.com, enter your zip code, and find the closest office to you.  Chances are there's one within 10 miles.  They have 10,000 office in the US, UK, and Canada.  And they will take care of you right if you decide you don't want to go it alone.
66432
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.
196319
Save money. When you get a couple of hundred open a Roth IRA and start investing in an index fund. Do this at your local bank (easy, cheap, friendly) . . . yeah they get paid out of your funds and later you'll roll over the IRA to Fidelity, Vanguard, etc . . . but for now JUST START the easiest way possible.\n\nPS: Assuming you are young and don't get paid a lot REMEMBER that it doesn't get easier to start saving once you have a house, two cars, a wife, and kids. WORSE, you are older and have less time for your investment to grow. START NOW!
539106
I actually do finance and asset management for families.  If you were to retire TODAY... 1 million dollars at a modest 5% return would pay you $50,000 a year.  MOST could live pretty well off of that.  Depending on your age, you might need to save a little more just to battle inflation.  (essentially   $50,000 a year will not be worth as much each year)  And, if you do not own your home, this has to be taken into consideration as well.  I just read an article that predicts in the next 20-30 years their will be significant advancements in medicine allowing us to live well into our hundreds!  So be sure your prepared to go the distance!
29521
Discuss your situation with a competent financial planner in your area. Do not trust anyone who tells you how much insurance you need without asking you any questions. Avoid insurance salespeople, especially ones who use a multiple of your salary approach.\n\nA good financial planner will complete a survivorship analysis for you. He/she will ask you alot of questions regarding your current financial situation and after making certain assumptions regarding rates of return and inflation, will be able to calculate your family's overall need for assets at your passing and how much of that need would be offset by assets you would have on hand. Don't forget to tell your advisor about any savings or investments you have as well as all life insurance in force, including employer provided. If there is more than enough assets already available, you do not need any additional life insurance, if not, consider purchasing more.\n\nThere is a widespread belief that term insurance is the only worthwhile way to insure oneself. This may not be the case. Term insurance is typically very inexpensive when compared to permanent forms of insurance (whole life, universal life, variable universal life, etc.) but it is important to remember that those term premiums will rise somewhere down the road. Approximately 90% of term policies never pay a death benefit, mainly due to the fact that they became too expensive to keep in force. Term insurance falls into two basic types, Yearly Renewable and Level. Yearly Renewable Term (YRT) premiums start very low. As each policy aniversary passes, your premium goes up. Each year you get older the resulting increase is a little bit larger than the previous year. It makes sense if you look at it from the insurance company's perspective; each year older you get is one year less you have left to live. Level Term will have a certain period where the premiums will remain level, usually 10, 20 or even 30 years. The longer the guarantee period the higher the premiums will be, but they will remain at the initial premium amount for the guarantee period. I prefer Level Term for my clients who need term coverage because it is a much more predictable amount to budget.\n\nPermanent insurances, while requiring higher premiums, also build a cash value, on a tax advantaged basis. If the policy is designed properly, it can make a good savings vehicle for LONG TERM investing goals. As with any important decision, the most important aspect is to get the advice of a competent, trusted professional.
364148
You should try www.suzeorman.com or themotleyfool.com for this kind of info about retirement, savings, and investment for the future.
1006265
with corporations no longer funing your retirement and cutting back on medical insurance and everyone talking about privatizing social security. you need to be activly engaged in your investments. no sleeping on the job...\n\nif you are 25 and save $400,000 by the time you are 67, it will generate about $2000/month... can you live on $2000/month?.... but before you answer, remember that in 42 years from now, with 3% inflation it will spend like it's only $573. that will be for your rent, food, bills and medical. BUT... if your rent today is $1100, in 42 years the same place will cost you $4000..... and what's worse, you will probably live for an additional 30 to 40 years... the numbers just get worse...\n\nif you want to sleep on an investment, you'll be sleeping in a cardboard box eating an occasional can of cat food.\n\nwe all need to wake up and learn to invest
126733
Go to your bank, whom you deal with, and set up an appointment. They can discuss your options. How old you are, how much you have to invest, what your goals are and so on. Good luck.
331893
Roth , Roth , Roth IRA PLAN .
256128
Start by asking your bank what you can do to save $ for the long run. Maybe a IRA plan? Do you have a full time JOB...if so, ask your employer if they have a 401K plan or anything similar. Stocks too me is just like gambling your money. But whatever suits you
477328
I suggest you to stay away from annuities.\n\nIf you need help with your finances drop me a line.
544706
unless you are planning on living in a cardboard box, or are filthy rich, you better be saving!!! minimum to set aside is 10% of your income, but that is bare bones minimum. don't count on the government of any country to help you, and if they do, it will be subsistance level only, don't expect to be warm and well fed. you have only yourselves to count on. I certainly hope your children will take care of you, but that mostly depends on how you raise them. are you raising them to believe that family is important, and that old people are to be respected and honored? are you raising them to be responsible adults and to have respect for others and themselves? even so, they could have tragedies in their own lives that prevent them from being there. and when you consider that people are living longer than ever, how do you think you are going to pay for your food, housing, medicine for all those years after retirement if you don't have some set aside? I bet if you go into a senior center or retirement home in any country, you will find plenty of people going without medicine, food, and other important things because their social security or government benefits just aren't enough. contact a financial advisor or do some research yourself and start saving and investing now.
375
Just go to vanguard.com or any of the brokerage firms (Vanguard usually has the lowest fees), sign up for a rollover IRA account, and follow the directions they give you. It usually involves filling out a form and submitting that to whatever company is managing your old 401(k).