Are you one of the many Americans who is not taking full advantage of your 401(k) plan, or worse, not participating at all? On average, Americans leave about $1,336 (per Financial Engines, 2015)* per participant of FREE money with their employer every year. How does this happen?
For starters, you lose out by not taking full advantage of your employer’s matching opportunity via your 401(k) plan. Much worse, those who do not participate at all in their company’s 401(k) plan are missing out on even more free money. Many workers erroneously believe they cannot afford to participate. Not true! You can’t afford not to participate. Ask your financial planner to show you the post-tax effect on your paycheck versus the annual contribution total. Let’s take the average amount of $1,336 left on the table by many participants. Just this amount alone contributed annually with an average growth of 5% could be worth $49,930 in 20 years (setting aside inflation). That’s a lot of extra money you could have just for participating in your 401(k) plan at full match.
If you are not sure what the match percentage is and how it works, grab you plan document and give me a call. As an independent Certified Financial Planner™, I can help you. Contact me and we can review your plan document to make sure you are maximizing your benefit in the best possible way. #talktometuesday #getstarted #HowIcanHelpYou #GetHelp #Hireaplanner #401k #plan