Many Americans are still failing to sock away enough money to pay for retirement -- or emergencies for that matter, according to a survey. Only half of respondents reported good savings habits, including having a spending and/or saving plan in place.
Everyone has things they want to improve about their financial lives -- and we in the AOL newsroom are no exceptions. So we asked money expert Jean Chatzky for advice on how to reach our goals. Today: A music editor who wants to understand more about her 401(k).
401(k) balances reached record highs in 2012, as a strong stock market and increased contributions helped retirement savers continue to recover from recession losses. Fidelity Investment's average 401(k) balance hit $77,300 at the end of 2012 -- up nearly 12% from $69,100 in 2011.
With more employers than ever adding a new Roth 401(k) option to their retirement plan offerings, should you make the switch or stick with your existing retirement strategy?
You can put off cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn without severe problems. But waiting to increase your retirement account contributions could have serious consequences. Don't let these excuses keep you from upping your 401(k) contributions now.
Dipping into your 401(k) plan is tantamount to journeying into the future, mugging your 65-year-old self, and then booking it back to present day life. And yet, a new study finds that one in four workers resorts to taking 401(k) loans each year.
When it comes to keeping New Year's resolutions, plenty of us don't have such great track records. But most people who made financial resolutions in 2012 kept them, which makes them a smart addition to your annual ritual. To set the stage for your success in 2013, here are 13 resolutions to consider.
The oldest baby boomers will turn 67 in 2013. Many of this first wave have already retired, while others may be contemplating taking the plunge this year. Here are some tips for those planning to retire in 2013:
With the prospect of higher taxes and federal budget cuts looming on Dec. 31, here are 11 easy ways you can save money and/or put a few extra dollars back in your pocket in 2013.
As the end of the year approaches, it's important to make sure you're not leaving any money on the table when it comes to your workplace benefits. If you don't take the right steps now, you could lose your chance to maximize your savings, so run through this list of must-do tips before Dec. 31.
The end of the year is fast approaching, so you've only got a few days left to make changes to your 401(k) for 2012. These five tips will help you make the most of that limited time, and put you on track in your efforts to make your golden years as comfortable as possible.
One of the most contentious issues in the debate over how the U.S. government can increase its revenues involves the capital gains tax rate -- the rate investors pay on their profits. Here's what you need to know to understand just what both sides are arguing about.
If a fiscal cliff deal isn't reached soon, we'll all wake up on Jan. 1 with higher taxes and lower government spending. One way or another, you'll likely have a bit less cash to spend, so the next few weeks would be a good time to figure out where you can cut your spending to compensate.
If meeting with your financial advisor is on your December "to-do" list -- and it should be -- here are a half dozen things you should do to prepare that will help you get the most out of the meeting.
Nobody likes to spend the holidays thinking about taxes. But by spending a little time now, you can potentially give yourself a nice reward when your IRS refund comes next year. Here are five ways you can uncover tax savings between now and New Year's Eve.