How Much Can I Contribute to My 401k?

One of the questions that I get a lot is, “How much money can I actually contribute to my 401k?”

The answer to that is a little bit more complicated but I’m going to give you the loose guidelines, if you will. The basic guideline is this: You can put away, as an individual, $16,500 a year into your 401k. Now, if you’re age 50 or older, you’re able to do a catch-up of an additional $5,500 per year into your 401k.

The DBk Plan Presented by Pete Mitchell

What is a DB(k)? Basically, a DB(k) combines a pension plan with a matching 401(k) plan. As the name implies, it is a defined benefit retirement plan with some of the features of a 401(k).

New Tax Perks For Non-Qualified Annuity Owners – Presented by Pete Mitchell

On January 1, 2010, owners of nonqualified annuities were allowed some new tax benefits. On that date, the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006 was fully implemented and brought about dramatic and interesting changes for those who had started annuities with after-tax dollars. At the start of 2010:

Dealing With The Aftermath of Being Unemployed – Presented by Pete Mitchell

Any period of unemployment is fraught with stress – both personal and financial. While landing that formerly-elusive new job can be a relief, it is only the first step on the road to recovery from unemployment. This transition time is akin to breaking the surface after being underwater for several minutes. It’s a relief to be breathing again and feel the sun on your face, but it’s no time to relax. You must start swimming right away to get back to a healthy financial shore.

Time to replace the 401k – Presented by Pete Mitchell

In fall 2009, TIME Magazine raised eyebrows with a cover article called “Why It’s Time to Retire the 401(k)”. Author Stephen Gandel, the magazine’s senior economic writer, argued that 401(k)s, 403(b)s and IRAs had proven themselves “a lousy idea, a financial flop.”