Signs you have a good 401k plan

Here's how to tell if the plan offered by your employer is a good one -- and how you should proceed if it's not as great as you'd hoped.

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53Comments
May 4, 2012 12:42PM
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uhhhh.....could someone explain how this article relates at all to the title of the article?
May 4, 2012 12:37PM
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A good plan looks after those without much disposable income and matches not on contributions, but on W-2 income. 

 

Also, a good plan contains a ROTH provision.

 

A good plan has at least 4 index funds (Large Blend, Midcap Blend, Smallcap index and aUS Bond Index, 

 

A good plan has a written investment strategy with a watch list and periodic replacements of poor performers. 

May 4, 2012 12:18PM
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I never saw any mention of getting rid of the insurance platform provider (John Hancock, Nationwide, Principal) that have the biggest conflict of interest.  They will put expensive funds on the platform so that they can make more money for themselves through the revenue share of the mutual funds.  The best part about it all is that they say they do not charge a fee, when in reality they can be receiving upwards of 5% depending on the funds that are provided, and participants and Plan Sponsors do not know anything about it.  Look into a 401(k) Plan Advisor (Cannon Capital) and have them switch to an open architecture platform which will open up the entire mutual fund world to let the experts and the Plan Sponsor pick the best funds which are generally less expensive.  If you mix the actively managed with the passively managed you can make a great portfolio, which is what the Advisor should do for the Plan.
May 4, 2012 11:23AM
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No mention here of a 401k with a PCRA option.  That is the most important factor.  They left it out of the article.  Makes me wonder . . . . . . . .

 

 

May 4, 2012 3:23AM
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Shouldn't it be "Signs you have a bad 401k plan", you're more interested in helping those who are getting ahead, than those who who aren't as lucky. It's embarressing, how you've forgotten the people who are struggling. And while you're at it, blame the President, it's quite obvious Congress is behind him. No wait, Congress is only driven by party, and outside influences. To hell with what's best for the people of this country.

 

May 3, 2012 11:27PM
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Anyone care to tell me any different? Educate yourselves in the basic market. You WILL understand your situation better. Maybe it's just me but I always want to know what affects me, positive or negative. 
May 3, 2012 9:27PM
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Ok. Here is the scoop. You all did not lose a thing during the market downturn unless you sold. If you rode it out, you actually should have made money. Quite a bit really. If you did sell and move it you probably did lose. If you are old enough to be in retirement range and need your money for living, you should not have been in volatile investments like stocks. You should have been in secure holdings, bonds, cash etc type of holdings.

 If you are younger and paid attention to your investments you could have made a lot of money. We did.

May 3, 2012 9:16PM
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If your actually in a 401k, there is no such thing as a good 401k.   So many people just lost there retirement 401k becuase of the greedy sponges on wall street.  Put your money in your mattress, or shoe box, or local credit union.  Don't let the greedy bastards have your money again.

 

Occupy Wall Street

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Plan participants who get little in the way of an employer match, for example, will need to defer more of their monthly income to meet their long-term savings goals, she says.

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