How Much Should You Have in Your 401(k) at 40 — And Why the “Right” Number Is Probably Wrong
The standard answer is three times your annual salary. If you earn $75,000, that means $225,000 in your 401(k) by 40. Most people reading this … Read More
How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at 30 And Why Most Benchmarks Mislead You
The standard advice says you should have one year’s salary in your 401(k) by 30. If you earn $70,000, you need $70,000 saved. Simple, clean, … Read More
Who Do I Contact to Cash Out My 401(k), and What They Won’t Tell You Upfront
The short answer is your 401(k) plan administrator or provider. Call the number on your statement, log into the portal, request a withdrawal. That part … Read More
Who Is the Plan Administrator of a 401(k) — And Why Most Employees Get It Wrong
Most people assume their 401(k) plan administrator is the company whose logo appears on their account login page. That’s almost always wrong. The name on … Read More
How to Access Your 401(k) — Even If You Have No Idea Where It Is
Most people asking “how do I access my 401(k)?” assume there’s a single website, a single login, and a straightforward withdrawal button. There isn’t. Your … Read More
How to Check Your 401(k) Balance (And What Most People Miss When They Do)
Checking your 401(k) balance takes about 90 seconds. Log in to your provider’s website, glance at the number, and you’re done. That part isn’t complicated. … Read More
How to Find an Old 401(k) Before Your Former Employer Decides What to Do With It
Most people assume their old 401(k) is sitting untouched, waiting for them to come back. That assumption is wrong more often than you’d think. Depending … Read More
Is a 401(k) a Mutual Fund? Why Confusing the Two Can Cost You Thousands
No, a 401(k) is not a mutual fund. But the fact that most 401(k) accounts hold mutual funds is exactly why so many people treat … Read More
Can I Have a 401(k) and 457(b) at the Same Time? The Double Tax Shelter Most Government Employees Ignore
Yes, you can hold both a 401(k) and a 457(b) simultaneously. The IRS treats them as entirely separate buckets with independent contribution limits. That means … Read More
Is a 401(k) a Retirement Plan? Yes — But That’s the Wrong Question to Ask
A 401(k) is a retirement plan. That part is settled. But the reason you’re asking matters more than the answer itself. If the question came … Read More