401(k) plans

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Here's What You Can Put Toward Retirement in 2025

IRS releases annual cost-of-living adjustments, including updates on contributions to 401(k)s, IRAs

(Newser) - The IRS is out with its annual cost-of-living tweaks, including increases in how much Americans can inject into their pension plans and retirement accounts. The details, per the AP :
  • 401(k), 403(b), federal Thrift Savings Plan, most 427 plans: In 2025, individuals will be able to contribute up to $23,500
...

Elite Group of 401(k) Holders Breaks a New Record

Fidelity says there are more '401(k)-created millionaires' than ever in the US

(Newser) - Got a retirement plan in the seven figures? Consider yourself among a record-breaking group: A new report from Fidelity Investments says there are more US participants in 401(k) plans with balances over $1 million than ever, though the stats show that most Americans are "woefully unprepared" for their retirement...

A Lot More 401(k) Accounts Now Have $1M+ Balances

Still, Fidelity's 485K million-plus accounts represent just 2% of their defined contribution plans

(Newser) - The number of retirement accounts with balances above $1 million spiked dramatically to a new record this year. Some 485,000 401(k) accounts had balances above $1 million in the first quarter, CNN reports. That's a 15% increase from the end of 2023 and 43% higher than this time...

Growing Number of Americans Tapping Into 401(k) Plans

According to data from Bank of America

(Newser) - There's been an uptick in the number of Americans turning to their 401(k) plans to help with financial woes, according to data released by Bank of America. CNN reports the banking giant saw a 36% increase in "hardship" withdrawals in Q2 as compared to the same period a...

Big Changes on Horizon for Your 401(k)

Congress is poised to pass legislation on retirement savings

(Newser) - The massive spending package that Congress is poised to pass before Friday includes tangible changes for ordinary Americans when it comes to retirement savings—particularly 401(k) savings. Some of the proposed changes as part of the Secure Act 2.0 legislation:
  • Automatic: Most employers would be required to automatically enroll
...

IRS Announces Record Boost for 401(k) Infusions

For 2023, you can deposit $22,500 to qualified retirement plans—up to $30K for those 50 and over

(Newser) - Good news for those who want to pump more money into their retirement savings: The IRS just raised the contribution limit on 401(k) plans for 2023, as well as for similar tax-deferred plans for public education workers, federal and state employees, and those who work for tax-exempt groups. That new...

There's Good News for 401(k) Account Holders

Average balance hits record high

(Newser) - The average 401(k) balance in the US has hit a record high. According to Fidelity Investments' most recent quarterly analysis of its 30 million customers, that average was $106,500 at the end of the third quarter, USA Today reports. That's almost 7% higher than a year prior and...

Number of 401(k) Millionaires Surges
Number of 401(k)
Millionaires Surges
Aug 16, 2018 12:02 PM CDT

Number of 401(k) Millionaires Surges

Fidelity announces 168K of its clients have at least $1 million in their 401(k) accounts

(Newser) - Good news for many who are saving for retirement: During the second quarter, 168,000 people with 401(k)s managed by Fidelity Investments were millionaires, having at least $1 million in their accounts, per a press release . That's a record high, USA Today reports. It's also up 41% from...

Your 401(k) Contributions May Not Be Safe After All

House tax-writing chief Kevin Brady suggests limits are in play, despite Trump's opposition

(Newser) - President Trump declared emphatically this week that 401(k) contributions were off-limits to congressional negotiators working on changes to the tax code. But on Wednesday, one of those negotiators—in fact, one of the most influential ones—suggested otherwise, reports the Washington Post . Kevin Brady, who chairs the House tax-writing committee,...

Trump Says No One Will Lay a Hand on Your 401(k)

President seemed to be responding to a 'NYT' report that suggested otherwise

(Newser) - President Trump promised Monday there will be "no change" to tax incentives for the popular 401(k) retirement programs. "This has always been a great and popular middle class tax break that works, and it stays!" Trump tweeted . The AP reports the president appeared to be responding to...

GOP May Use Retirement Accounts to Pay for Tax Cuts

Sources say Republicans may cap contributions to 401(k) accounts at $2,400 a year

(Newser) - Multiple sources say Republican lawmakers may be setting their sights on Americans' retirement accounts to pay for tax cuts, specifically to the business tax rate. The New York Times reports Republicans are expected to release a tax reform plan sometime in the next few weeks, and that plan could include...

Early Cheerleaders of 401(k) Plans Are Now Changing Tune

They point to major issues, such as dependence on stock market, high fees

(Newser) - When 401(k) plans emerged in the '80s, they were supposed to complement pensions, not replace them. But as the Wall Street Journal reports, only 13% of workers in the private sector today hold pensions thanks to the 401(k) revolution—and original proponents of the tax-deferred savings plans are now...

Lawsuit: AOL's CEO Fired Worker When She Lost 2 Babies

Tim Armstrong's issues with pregnant employees go back to 2005

(Newser) - Does AOL CEO Tim Armstrong have an issue with pregnant employees? Well, that's what Valleywag is wondering. To recap, Armstrong caused a stir last week by shifting the company's 401(K) payment schedule to a year-end lump sum—because, he said, AOL has had to pay big bucks to...

401(k)s Aren't Working
 401(k)s Aren't Working 
OPINION
Feb 6, 2013 12:05 PM CST

401(k)s Aren't Working

Nation's 'grand experiment' has been an alarming failure: Duncan Black

(Newser) - We're just now seeing the results of the nation's "grand experiment" with 401(k) plans as the first generation of workers to embrace the concept reaches retirement age. The results are "truly alarming," writes Duncan Black in USA Today . Many people don't have nearly enough...

6 Retirement Planning Myths

 6 Retirement Planning Myths 
Apr 7, 2012 1:00 PM CDT

6 Retirement Planning Myths

From debt to 401(k) plans, it's never too late to prepare

(Newser) - According to a new survey, only 14% of US workers are very confident they'll be able to retire comfortably—and more than 50% haven't even tried to calculate how much money they'll need. Workers are increasingly planning to keep working past the retirement age—37% said they...

Despite Recession, More Older Americans Employed

In part because they have to be

(Newser) - The good news is that at least one segment of the population has seen its employment statistics actually rise in this economic downturn. The bad news? That segment is older Americans, many of whom are only working because they're afraid they don't have enough savings to retire, the...

Don't Let the Recession Rule Out Retirement

Save more, use 'catch-up' tax law provisions to turn things around

(Newser) - Retirement savers have been facing grim truths, like the fact that a 50% portfolio loss requires 100% in earnings to recover. But middle-of-the-road investors could recover in as little as 2 years if they make contributions, receive a company match, and see fair long-term portfolio returns, writes Linda Stern in...

Obama Offers New Options for Retirement Savings

Americans can have tax refunds sent as savings bonds

(Newser) - President Obama used his radio address today to roll out several initiatives aimed at making it easier for Americans to save for retirement. One move will allow people to have their federal tax refunds sent as savings bonds by checking a box on their tax return; another has workers automatically...

Oldsters Refusing to Step Aside to Free Up Jobs

Reliance on volatile 401(k)s breeds reluctance to retire

(Newser) - Their retirement savings devastated by the financial crisis, older workers are increasingly postponing retirement, the New York Times reports, creating even more competition for scarce jobs. A recent survey found that four in 10 workers over 62 have remained at their jobs longer than they planned thanks to the recession....

IRS May Cut 401(k) Contribution Limit

(Newser) - Low inflation could force the IRS to decrease the amount workers can contribute to their 401(k) plans to $16,000, USA Today reports. It would mark the first time the government has ever lowered contribution limits. Though a spokesperson says it’s too early for speculation, the IRS may not...

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