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Sit tight and keep investing. Particularly if you are young, now could be a very good time to create a well-balanced portfolio of stocks. Prices are low, but they won't be that way forever. When they go back up, so will the value of your portfolio.

How do I go about creating a portfolio of stocks?  I'm 22 years old, work at a multi-million dollar company and I was planning on joining the 401k plan through my company but I do not understand a thing about any of it.

NOW is a great time to be sure your investments are not too heavily weighted in the Stock market. As I have just seen from viewing my Fidelity and other investment "reports", it is very difficult when you choose a mutual fund to know exactly what types of stocks (and/or bonds) you are investing in.

Advice heard from a major Financial guru on TV said not more than 60% of your savings should be in stocks (and less if you are closer to retirement) due to their volatility), US Treasury Bonds right now have a good return and are 100% protected, and of course some money needs to be accessible as cash (10%). Some of the advice on "keep investing, the stocks will only go up" sound like we have some stockbrokers looking for business in the midst.

It's really smart to max out your 401(k) because it's very likely that your company will match some part of what you contribute. If you contribute less than you are allowed, it's like refusing to accept money.

If I were you, my first stop would be the personnel office. Ask for all the literature they have on their 401(k). In particular, find out:

When you'll be eligible

What's the maximum you can contribute

How much will the company match

What the investment options are

New laws have made it easier for companies to offer you investment advice. If your company does that, take them up on it.

 

My advice if you have a 401k thats losing money from the stock market getting pounded on is to invest it into somthing that can only GAIN interest and not lose any, like an ANNUITY, which is also tax free when you pull the money out unlike any other investment like a CD.  If you would like to learn more contact me.

We're in our late sixties, but still working.  What should we do with our 401K?

I will be 65 VERY soon and want to retire. Should I take my 401 k now?

Hello, I have a 401k that I would like to transfer to an IRA account.  Am I taxed on 401k into IRA account with my Credit Union.  Or am I taxed on the transfer of 401k to an annuity?  I have maxed my contribution to 401k, but I don't feel comfortable with leaving all that money in my 401k.  I would like to take out at least half and put it somewhere else.  I'm approaching retirement age so don't have years to wait for recovery of the stock market.

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