401(k)s & IRAs for Dummies - Ted Benna

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Résumé :

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 3

Icons Used in This Book 4

Beyond the Book 4

Where to Go from Here 4

Part 1: The ABCs of 401(k)s and IRAs?7

Chapter 1: Explaining IRAs and 401(k)s 9

Exploring the Basics of Retirement Savings Plans 9

Getting down to 401(k) basics 10

Introducing IRAs 12

Comparing and Contrasting IRAs and 401(k)s 14

Accentuating the Positive 16

Saving up 16

Getting employer contributions 16

Chapter 2: Taxing Issues 19

Realizing the Reasons for Tax Breaks 19

What the government gains 20

What you gain 20

Talking Tax Terms 21

Earning your income 22

Combining your income 22

Adjusting your income with AGI 22

Figuring your marginal tax rate 23

Getting Credit for Contributions 24

Deducting IRA contributions 24

Paying attention if your spouse has a plan 25

Earning extra credit according to income 27

Taxing Income at Retirement 28

Staying Alert to Changes in Tax Law 31

Chapter 3: Naming Beneficiaries and Planning for the Future 33

Deciding Who Gets Your Savings When You're Gone 34

Detailing the Distribution 35

Talking Timing and Taxes 36

Passing along Company Stock 37

Starting the Roth Clock 39

Qualifying Your Charitable Giving 39

Giving a good QCD 40

Linking RMDs and QCDs (and minding your Ps and Qs) 40

Giving tax free 41

Being a Beneficiary 42

Deciding - or being told - what to do with the money 42

Saying no to the money 43

Stretching an inherited IRA 43

Part 2: 401(k) Basics?45

Chapter 4: Checking the Benefits of a 401(k) 47

Realizing What a 401(k) Does for You 48

Lowers how much tax you pay 49

Gets you matching funds from your employer 53

Makes room for a little something extra: Employer non-matching contribution 55

Allows you to save without tears 56

Vesting: When Your Employer's Contribution is Yours to Keep 57

Vesting of employer contributions 57

Making exceptions (You knew this was coming, right?) 58

Letting the Pros Work for You 59

Protecting Your Money 60

Meeting minimum standards 60

Avoiding losses in bankruptcy 61

Watching Out for Potential Pitfalls 62

Earning more may mean contributing less 62

Being at the mercy of your plan 62

Chapter 5: Signing Up for a 401(k) 63

Exploring Your Eligibility 63

Sometimes you play a waiting game 64

Sometimes you can't join at all 65

Sometimes you're automatically in 66

Making Your Entry Date 66

Deciding How to Invest Your Money 67

Chapter 6: Paying Attention to Administrative Issues 69

Figuring on the Fees 69

Finding the fees 70

Understanding the fees 71

Paying the fees 72

Paying extra for extra services 74

Checking on small business challenges 74

Considering Funding Issues 76

Making a mutual decision 76

Unwrapping wrap fees 77

Prospecting in the prospectus 78

Knowing What You Can Know 79

Working to Improve Your Plan 79

Upgrading investment performance 80

Searching out information 82

Questioning investment strategy 83

Chapter 7: Weighing Your Options When You Leave Your Employer 87

Taking Your Savings with You 88

A Rolling 401(k) Gathers No Taxes 88

Realizing that account size matters 89

Moving your money to your new employer's p...

Biographie:
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Sommaire:

Ted Benna is commonly referred to as the father of 401(k) because he created and gained IRS approval of the first 401(k) savings plan.

Brenda Watson Newmann began her career as an Associated Press foreign correspondent and later moved to Silicon Valley as Managing Editor at 401k Forum/mPower....