Don’t Forget Your 401K

When leaving a job, whether it’s due to being laid off, finding a better position with a different company, retiring, or starting a business, you have to decide what to do with the money you have accumulated in your 401(k) or 403(b) plan. Many people don’t realize they have choices and end up leaving the funds in the 401(k) at their previous employers. Why would anyone leave their 401(k) behind when they leave their job? In effect they are trusting that someone they probably don’t know, at a job they no longer work at, is going to have their best interest in mind as they manage their future. You are only allowed to take control of these funds when you leave your job. More often than not, the opportunity to roll these funds into an IRA is extremely beneficial.

Unwise Investment Decisions

By Jesse Anderson, CFA

Last weekend a friend said to me:
“I cashed out my entire 401(k) before the tech bubble, and Thank God!, because I would have lost everything.”

What to do with your 401(k) or 403(b) if you leave your job

A while back, I had the radio on in the car, listening to an investment show on the radio: “Hi. My name is Ron. I am a first time caller.” “Hi, Ron. What can I help you with?” “I was laid off from my employer due to downsizing. I was wondering whether to leave my 401(k) where it is or …

10 Items for Your Year-End To-Do List

Can you believe it? 2009 is almost over! The older I get, the faster they go! I thought I would put together a quick note to remind you of some helpful, year-end tasks you may want to consider: 1. Rebalance investment accounts – this is something few people do but I highly recommend. This involves bringing your investment accounts back …