Most employer-sponsored retirement plans allow you to save as much as $12,000 in 2003, and that number will increase to $13,000 in 2004. If you’re over age 50, you may be able to save even more with catch-up contributions. Your r employer-sponsored retirement plan offers tax advantages and may even match a percentage of your contributions. Plus, the automatic contributions make saving for retirement a cinch-you won’t be tempted to spend the money f Americans won’t have enough money to meet their retirement needs.

At Odds with Each Other
Unfortunately, a drop in your portfolio’s value means you will need to stash away more money-not less-to ensure adequate retirement savings. The alternatives, of course, are to work longer or live on less in retirement. If those options don’t appeal to you, remember that stocks historically have outperformed other asset classes over extended periods. **By investing now, while prices are low, your portfolio will be poised for growth if the market begins to gain steam.

An Uncertain Future
You can’t count on Uncle Sam to help out either. Today, retirees can usually expect about 40% of their retirement income to come from Social Security. Social Security isn’t guaranteed, however, so you may need to rely that much more on your own investments. As the baby boomers retire, there will be a smaller worker pool contributing to Social

Security. Without reforms to the system, experts project that the funds will be depleted by 2042.***

TR>
SUMMER/FALL Volume 4
2004 Alabama Edition
 
FEATURES

 

 

More Personal Finance Articles:
..........................................

ONLINE BANKING HELPS TODAY'S FAST PACED LIFESTYLE [MORE]

..........................................

MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP BECOME A REALITY [MORE]

..........................................

YOU CAN MAKE YOUR BUSINESS DREAM A REALITY [MORE]

 

 


  Save: For a Stress Free Retirement

The economic downturn of the past few years has left many Americans disillusioned about investing. In fact, a recent survey by the Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America shows that the number of employees participating in their company’s 401(k) retirement savings plan dropped to 78% in 2001, compared to a peak level of 82% in 1999. *The falling savings rate fosters a growing concern that millions of Americans won’t have enough money to meet their retirement needs.

At Odds with Each Other
Unfortunately, a drop in your portfolio’s value means you will need to stash away more money-not less-to ensure adequate retirement savings. The alternatives, of course, are to work longer or live on less in retirement. If those options don’t appeal to you, remember that stocks historically have outperformed other asset classes over extended periods. **By investing now, while prices are low, your portfolio will be poised for growth if the market begins to gain steam.

An Uncertain Future
You can’t count on Uncle Sam to help out either. Today, retirees can usually expect about 40% of their retirement income to come from Social Security. Social Security isn’t guaranteed, however, so you may need to rely that much more on your own investments. As the baby boomers retire, there will be a smaller worker pool contributing to Social

Security. Without reforms to the system, experts project that the funds will be depleted by 2042.***

employer-sponsored retirement plan offers tax advantages and may even match a percentage of your contributions. Plus, the automatic contributions make saving for retirement a cinch-

Time Well Spent
Continuing medical advances mean that people are living longer than ever; you could need your retirement savings to last two or three decades. Although some of your living expenses may fall in retirement, other expenses, such as health care and taxes, may rise. In addition, even a modest annual inflation rate can erode your money’s buying power over time. An early start on retirement savings can give your money more time to benefit from compounding.

Stay on Track
Don’t let the bear market derail your retirement goals. Remember that you’re investing for the long haul, and today’s market headlines may not have much bearing on your portfolio several years down the line. Instead, consider stepping up your savings.

Most employer-sponsored retirement plans allow you to save as much as $12,000 in 2003, and that number will increase to $13,000 in 2004. If you’re over age 50, you may be able to save even more with catch-up contributions. Your r employer-sponsored retirement plan offers tax advantages and may even match a percentage of your contributions. Plus, the automatic contributions make saving for retirement a cinch-you won’t be tempted to spend the money f Americans won’t have enough money to meet their retirement needs.

At Odds with Each Other
Unfortunately, a drop in your portfolio’s value means you will need to stash away more money-not less-to ensure adequate retirement savings. The alternatives, of course, are to work longer or live on less in retirement. If those options don’t appeal to you, remember that stocks historically have outperformed other asset classes over extended periods. **By investing now, while prices are low, your portfolio will be poised for growth if the market begins to gain steam.

An Uncertain Future
You can’t count on Uncle Sam to help out either. Today, retirees can usually expect about 40% of their retirement income to come from Social Security. Social Security isn’t guaranteed, however, so you may need to rely that much more on your own investments. As the baby boomers retire, there will be a smaller worker pool contributing to Social

Security. Without reforms to the system, experts project that the funds will be depleted by 2042.***

elsewhere.

If you’d like to increase your contributions or change how they are invested, your plan administrator can help steer you in the right direction.

*Source “45th Annual Survey of Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plans” 2002 Report which reported on the 2001 plan year experience of 937 profit sharing and 401(k) plans.
**Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
***Source: Status of the Social Security and Medicare Programs 2003 Annual Report, www.socialsecurity.gov
+Your contribution limits may vary based on your employer’s plan.

 

 
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Most employer-sponsored retirement plans allow you to save as much as $12,000 in 2003, and that number will increase to $13,000 in 2004. If you’re over age 50, you may be able to save even more with catch-up contributions. Your r employer-sponsored retirement plan offers tax advantages and may even match a percentage of your contributions. Plus, the automatic contributions make saving for retirement a cinch-you won’t be tempted to spend the money f Americans won’t have enough money to meet their retirement needs.

At Odds with Each Other
Unfortunately, a drop in your portfolio’s value means you will need to stash away more money-not less-to ensure adequate retirement savings. The alternatives, of course, are to work longer or live on less in retirement. If those options don’t appeal to you, remember that stocks historically have outperformed other asset classes over extended periods. **By investing now, while prices are low, your portfolio will be poised for growth if the market begins to gain steam.

An Uncertain Future
You can’t count on Uncle Sam to help out either. Today, retirees can usually expect about 40% of their retirement income to come from Social Security. Social Security isn’t guaranteed, however, so you may need to rely that much more on your own investments. As the baby boomers retire, there will be a smaller worker pool contributing to Social

Security. Without reforms to the system, experts project that the funds will be depleted by 2042.***
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Most employer-sponsored retirement plans allow you to save as much as $12,000 in 2003, and that number will increase to $13,000 in 2004. If you’re over age 50, you may be able to save even more with catch-up contributions. Your r employer-sponsored retirement plan offers tax advantages and may even match a percentage of your contributions. Plus, the automatic contributions make saving for retirement a cinch-you won’t be tempted to spend the money f Americans won’t have enough money to meet their retirement needs.

At Odds with Each Other
Unfortunately, a drop in your portfolio’s value means you will need to stash away more money-not less-to ensure adequate retirement savings. The alternatives, of course, are to work longer or live on less in retirement. If those options don’t appeal to you, remember that stocks historically have outperformed other asset classes over extended periods. **By investing now, while prices are low, your portfolio will be poised for growth if the market begins to gain steam.

An Uncertain Future
You can’t count on Uncle Sam to help out either. Today, retirees can usually expect about 40% of their retirement income to come from Social Security. Social Security isn’t guaranteed, however, so you may need to rely that much more on your own investments. As the baby boomers retire, there will be a smaller worker pool contributing to Social

Security. Without reforms to the system, experts project that the funds will be depleted by 2042.***

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At Odds with Each Other
Unfortunately, a drop in your portfolio’s value means you will need to stash away more money-not less-to ensure adequate retirement savings. The alternatives, of course, are to work longer or live on less in retirement. If those options don’t appeal to you, remember that stocks historically have outperformed other asset classes over extended periods. **By investing now, while prices are low, your portfolio will be poised for growth if the market begins to gain steam.

An Uncertain Future
You can’t count on Uncle Sam to help out either. Today, retirees can usually expect about 40% of their retirement income to come from Social Security. Social Security isn’t guaranteed, however, so you may need to rely that much more on your own investments. As the baby boomers retire, there will be a smaller worker pool contributing to Social

Security. Without reforms to the system, experts project that the funds will be depleted by 2042.***

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Most employer-sponsored retirement plans allow you to save as much as $12,000 in 2003, and that number will increase to $13,000 in 2004. If you’re over age 50, you may be able to save even more with catch-up contributions. Your r employer-sponsored retirement plan offers tax advantages and may even match a percentage of your contributions. Plus, the automatic contributions make saving for retirement a cinch-you won’t be tempted to spend the money f Americans won’t have enough money to meet their retirement needs.

At Odds with Each Other
Unfortunately, a drop in your portfolio’s value means you will need to stash away more money-not less-to ensure adequate retirement savings. The alternatives, of course, are to work longer or live on less in retirement. If those options don’t appeal to you, remember that stocks historically have outperformed other asset classes over extended periods. **By investing now, while prices are low, your portfolio will be poised for growth if the market begins to gain steam.

An Uncertain Future
You can’t count on Uncle Sam to help out either. Today, retirees can usually expect about 40% of their retirement income to come from Social Security. Social Security isn’t guaranteed, however, so you may need to rely that much more on your own investments. As the baby boomers retire, there will be a smaller worker pool contributing to Social

Security. Without reforms to the system, experts project that the funds will be depleted by 2042.***