Is a 401k still worth it?
While 401(k) plans are a valuable part of retirement planning for most U.S. workers, they're not perfect. The value of 401(k) plans is based on the concept of dollar-cost averaging, but that's not always a reliable theory. Many 401(k) plans are expensive because of high administrative and record-keeping costs.
But a 401(k) is definitely worth keeping in mind, especially because it has much higher contribution limits. You may contribute up to $20,500 in 2022 or $27,000 if you're 50 or older. That kind of cash can go a long way toward setting you up for a comfortable future.
By her calculations, 401(k) plan participants have lost about $1.4 trillion from their accounts since the end of 2021. People with IRAs — most of which are 401(k) rollovers — have lost $2 trillion this year.
Investing in a 401(k) is a great way to grow your money, but it won't do much good if debt is simultaneously eating away at your accounts. Just as the interest on your savings is compounding to build your assets, so the interest on your debt is compounding to tear them down.
The 401(k) funds are at risk at all times because the plan makes money when the market is good but can lose money when the market falls. While your money is safer in a savings account, your potential gains are higher with a 401(k) account.
Good alternatives to a 401(k) are traditional and Roth IRAs and health savings accounts (HSAs). A non-retirement investment account can offer higher earnings, but your risk may be higher, too.
If you're invested in a money market fund or a fixed account and you're still losing money, fees may be the culprit. 401(k) plans often charge fees to your account balance, which cover things like plan administration and recordkeeping. The question is whether those fees are reasonable.
Top Performing Retirement Funds in 2022
That's led to a drop in the average value of a 401(k). According to Fidelity, the average 401(k) balance fell from $130,700 in the fourth quarter of 2021 to $121,700 in the first quarter of 2022.
The average 401(k) balance is $129,157, according to Vanguard's 2021 analysis of over 5 million plans. But most people don't have that much saved for retirement. The median 401(k) balance is significantly lower at $33,472, more reflective of how most Americans save for retirement.
The only way to prevent 401(k) losses is to park your money in cash investments. But that also means you are not likely to achieve your retirement goals. Investing in equities is one of the best ways to generate the kind of returns needed over the long term.
Will the stock market Crash 2022?
Our experts agree that it's likely to be a bumpy road ahead for the remainder of 2022. But, crash or no crash, recession or not, history tells us time and time again this is part of the journey.
The tax-free growth and those extra employer contributions will stall when and if you stop contributing more money to your 401(k). Most experts recommend contributing to your 401(k) for at least as long as you're working.
In the longer term, the economic collapse would likely cause many firms to file bankruptcy in which case your 401(k) shares would essentially become worthless.
- Protecting Your 401(k) From a Stock Market Crash.
- Diversify Your Portfolio.
- Rebalance Your Portfolio.
- Keep Some Cash on Hand.
- Continue Contributing to Your 401(k) and Other Retirement Accounts.
- Don't Panic and Withdraw Your Money Too Early.
- Bottom Line.
But how many funds do you need in your retirement account? For many retirement investors, a three-fund portfolio is sufficient.
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Vanguard Average 401(k) Balances by Age.
Following this, 401(k) balances begin to fall as more people start tapping their accounts. The average balance for those 70 and older is $182,100; the median is $51,900.
Turmoil in the stock market and runaway inflation has caused alarm among retirees as those living on savings see their retirement funds dwindle.
| Year | Median retirement account savings (2019 dollars) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | $51,843 |
| 2013 | $64,792 |
| 2016 | $63,814 |
| 2019 | $65,000 |
Experts say to have at least seven times your salary saved at age 55. That means if you make $55,000 a year, you should have at least $385,000 saved for retirement. Keep in mind that life is unpredictable–economic factors, medical care, and how long you live will also impact your retirement expenses.
What is a good monthly retirement income?
But if you can supplement your retirement income with other savings or sources of income, then $6,000 a month could be a good starting point for a comfortable retirement.
The safest place to put your retirement funds is in low-risk investments and savings options with guaranteed growth. Low-risk investments and savings options include fixed annuities, savings accounts, CDs, treasury securities, and money market accounts. Of these, fixed annuities usually provide the best interest rates.
What Is the Safest 401(k) Investment? The least-risky investment in a 401(k) would be either money market funds or U.S. government bonds (known as Treasuries). However, these investments will typically offer a very low rate of return and may not keep up with inflation.
Stocks — often called equities — are the riskiest way to invest; bonds and other fixed-income investments are the least risky.
In the case of cash, taking your money out of the stock market requires that you compare the growth of your cash portfolio, which will be negative over the long term as inflation erodes your purchasing power, against the potential gains in the stock market. Historically, the stock market has been the better bet.
Gold, silver and bonds are the classics that traditionally stay stable or rise when the markets crash. We'll look at gold and silver first. In theory, gold and silver hold their value over time. This makes them attractive when the stock market is volatile, and the increased demand drives the prices up.
In 2022 stock investors suffered their worst start to a year since 1970, with the S&P 500 falling 21 percent during the first half of 2022. The widely tracked stock market index fell into bear market territory on June 13 after closing more than 20 percent below its high reached in early January.
Saving for a house and retirement isn't an either/or scenario but retirement should be your priority. Try saving 10 percent to 15 percent of your pay in a 401(k), and any extra money, from your paycheck, a bonus or a birthday check, can be put in a high-yield savings account for your home.
If you stop contributing to your 401(k), your 401(k) money will continue growing if you leave the 401(k) plan or transfer to another qualified retirement plan. Generally, 401(k) grows through compounding, and the returns earned from investments are reinvested back into the account to earn returns of their own.
By age 45: Have four times your salary saved. By age 50: Have six times your salary saved. By age 55: Have seven times your salary saved. By age 60: Have eight times your salary saved.
What will happen to my 401k if the dollar collapses?
Your 401(k) grows on a tax deferred basis. You pay income tax on your withdrawals and a 10 percent penalty on withdrawals made prior to reaching the age of 59 1/2. If the dollar collapsed, the federal government might attempt to rectify the issue by raising taxes to settle debts.
- A small or nonexistent company match.
- High fees associated with the account.
- Few investment opportunities for your funds.
- A wait until you can keep company contributions.
- Difficulty accessing funds early.
- Tax implications for withdrawals.
In many cases, a Roth IRA can be a better choice than a 401(k) retirement plan, as it offers a flexible investment vehicle with greater tax benefits—especially if you think you'll be in a higher tax bracket later on.
Between the tax deductibility of your contributions, tax deferral of your investment income, and your ability to accumulate an incredible amount of money for your retirement, a 401(k) plan is well worth participating in, even without the company match.
The only way to prevent 401(k) losses is to park your money in cash investments. But that also means you are not likely to achieve your retirement goals. Investing in equities is one of the best ways to generate the kind of returns needed over the long term.
Our experts agree that it's likely to be a bumpy road ahead for the remainder of 2022. But, crash or no crash, recession or not, history tells us time and time again this is part of the journey.
If you're invested in a money market fund or a fixed account and you're still losing money, fees may be the culprit. 401(k) plans often charge fees to your account balance, which cover things like plan administration and recordkeeping. The question is whether those fees are reasonable.
A recent study found that the average fee on a 401(k) retirement plan was an appalling . 93% of assets. The fees in the most expensive 10% of plans were even more shocking: 1.72% of assets. That's huge in an environment where most people hope to earn annual returns of 6% before fees.
In 1989, the richest tenth of Americans held 6.5 times more in IRAs and other retirement accounts than savers in the 50th to 75th percentile by net worth. By 2019, according to the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, the gap between the richest 10% and the middle had ballooned to 12 times.
But even when you're close to retirement or already in retirement, opening this special retirement savings vehicle can still make sense under some circ*mstances. There is no age limit to open a Roth IRA, but there are income and contribution limits that investors should be aware of before funding one.
What grows faster 401k or Roth IRA?
A Roth 401(k) has higher contribution limits and allows employers to make matching contributions. A Roth IRA allows your investments to grow for a longer period, offers more investment options, and makes early withdrawals easier.
Some of the best individual retirement plans are individual retirement accounts (IRAs), which include traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and spousal IRAs. Anyone that earns income can open these on their own. The best employer-sponsored retirement plans include 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and 457(b)s.
Ages 25-34
By age 30, Fidelity recommends having the equivalent of one year's salary stashed in your workplace retirement plan. So, if you make $50,000, your 401(k) balance should be $50,000 by the time you hit 30.
Most retirement experts recommend you contribute 10% to 15% of your income toward your 401(k) each year. The most you can contribute in 2021 is $19,500 or $26,000 if you are 50 or older. In 2022, the maximum contribution limit for individuals is $20,500 or $27,000 if you are 50 or older.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical or average 401K match nets out to 3.5%. Their National Compensation Survey found that of the 56% of employers who offer a 401K plan (a sad statistic in itself): 49% of employers with 401K plans match 0%
