Comments on: Retirement Strategies: The Three Best Ways to Rescue Your 401(k)

By: As Financial Scams Go Global, Here’s How to Avoid Being Stung

As Financial Scams Go Global, Here’s How to Avoid Being Stung — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:01:11 +0000

[...] Note: So far, Money Morning’s “Financial Crisis Investing” series has covered 401(K) plan rescue strategies, low-minimum mutual funds, dividend-investment strategies, and tax-planning moves related to the [...]

By: Report: Vast Majority of Baby Boomers Have Accumulated Little to No Wealth

Report: Vast Majority of Baby Boomers Have Accumulated Little to No Wealth — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:32:48 +0000

[...] in the 12 months after the U.S. stock market hit its record peak in October 2007, more than $1 trillion worth of stock market wealth held in 401(k)s and other “defined-contribution” plans was eviscerated. Add individual retirement [...]

By: JasonH

JasonH — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:35:25 +0000

Commenting MikeJ’s post. It makes a lot of sense to take you money out and put into something with less risk if you are 5-10 years from retirement and the market is good. It is too risky to wait until right before retirement. Protect your own investments when retirement is just around the courner.

By: For Dividend-Seekers, Financial Crisis Means it's Time to Dip Into DRIPs

For Dividend-Seekers, Financial Crisis Means it's Time to Dip Into DRIPs — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:30:41 +0000

[...] Note: So far, Money Morning’s “Financial Crisis Investing” series has covered 401(K) plan rescue strategies, and low-minimum mutual funds. In the midst of a financial crisis that’s eradicated more than $6 [...]

By: Retirement Investing: How Bear Markets Can Help Your Retirement Planning

Retirement Investing: How Bear Markets Can Help Your Retirement Planning — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:42:47 +0000

[...] Money Morning: Retirement Strategies: The Three Best Ways to Rescue Your 401(k) [...]

By: Gary Wardell

Gary Wardell — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:47:48 +0000

Many Baby Boomers were going to down size their housing and invest the difference as part of their retirement. This option is gone now.

Some Baby Boomers do not even have their home paid up. I hope no Baby Boomers are under water with their home values. If they are, retirement is just a dream.

By: Busy Man Fitness

Busy Man Fitness — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:49:03 +0000

I think it’s sad that many Baby Boomers will be unable to retire in the next 10 years.

It ilustrates that the time of trusting your “financial advisor” or “mutual fund” to bring you returns is well over.

It’s a different day an age. Buy and hold doesn’t work in today’s markets and their is no way to tell if it will work within the next few years even though the chart above shows high statistical evidence of such.

By: MikeJ

MikeJ — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:40:40 +0000

I moved all of my 401k to a Treasury MM fund in ‘07, so no nominal losses. I also stopped contributing at the same time due to lack of investment choices. No access to ETF’s, PM or commodities sector funds etc. Just the same old, same old stock, bond, balanced and targeted funds that have lost huge percentages over the last year, and by all indicators are going to lose more. Please explain to me, given the limited choices presented by most company 401k’s exactly where we are supposed to be making these returns? By my calculations, even if you assume an inflation rate of 4%/year, you will need a return of 12-15% just to stay even with loss of purchasing power due to taxes and inflation. Also the possible, even though unlikely confiscation (re: Theresa Ghillarducci) of your 401k by government makes it undesirable to put more money in it. I would rather stop contributions and put that extra money in bullion or commodities ETF’s that have at least some chance of gaining enough to saty ahead of the game. Bullion at least is mobile, and unreported, and I can keep ahead of the losses in purchasing power that are inevitable due to monetary and fiscal policies. Please tell me where I am wrong.

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:36:13 +0000

I believe there is one more rule. I believe that you need downside protection. A 11.5 year study has shown the value of downside protection. Swan Consulting, Inc has shown the long term value in what is called a Defined Risk Strategy.