How To Beat A Bad 401(k) Plan

MarketWatch:

In the past several years, retirement plans have been busy adding mutual funds and expanding investment options. But more isn't always better.

"There are still very few 401(k) plans with a lot of investment options we'd enthusiastically recommend," said Paul Merriman, of Merriman Capital Management, a registered investment adviser in Seattle.

So what if your defined-contribution plan at work features a lineup of mutual funds that seems lackluster?

"I've never run across a 401(k) plan so bad that I would discourage someone from using it completely," said Raymond Benton, a longtime Denver-based adviser. "You should at least be able to find one fund to invest in."

Read the whole story: MarketWatch

Comments

[Political Voyeur]

05:06 PM on 09/20/2007

The problem is that they keep raising the age limit to withdraw without penalty/taxes, so those like me who started their matching $401K plan at age 23 will most likely use it penalty-free for a down payment to buy a first home. For low-income earners such as myself, it is the only meaningful "savings/retirement plan" I can find that dramatically beats inflation.

[Trevor51181]

02:11 PM on 09/20/2007

You'd be amazed. Lots of people that have their life savings tied up in the market. I see it every day, sir.

[askmeificare]

04:56 PM on 09/19/2007

Who can afford to invest in this crappy Bushpig economy? Only Bushitler's cronies! Impeach now!!!

The honest hard working Americans can barely afford to put dinner on the table after foreclosing on their houses, spending $80 a week filling their SUV with gas, and buying lottery tickets. How do the evil Republicans expect us to get by?