News
Retirement savers hit with early 2026 volatility, with many losing millionaire status - AOL
1+ hour, 8+ min ago (715+ words) The start of 2026 was rough on retirement savers. At the end of March, the average 401(k) balance with Fidelity Investments had fallen by 4% from the start of the year to $141, 000, according to a new report. The average Individual Retirement Account (IRA)…...
Beyond Alternative Assets: Takeaways of DOL's Proposed 401(k) Designated Investment Alternative Selection Rule
7+ hour, 8+ min ago (1013+ words) In setting out the six factors, the Proposed Rule also identifies'in the Proposed Rule itself'20 examples (the Examples) that are intended to address specific factual circumstances to assist plan fiduciaries in applying each particular factor. This Law Flash is intended…...
Why Your 401(k) May Be Worth Far Less Than You Think
3+ hour, 48+ min ago (904+ words) Your account may only look healthy on paper. When most workers look at their 401(k) retirement plans, they usually glance at the balance and close their statements. However, even though seeing a solid balance in your account might feel reassuring, you…...
Fidelity report shows 401(k) balances decline as hardship withdrawals rise
3+ hour, 34+ min ago (276+ words) Traders Union Fidelity report shows 401(k) balances decline as hardship withdrawals rise Retirement savers face weaker account values at the start of 2026 as market turbulence and household cost pressures weigh on long-term savings. Fidelity says first-quarter data also shows more workers…...
A 67-Year-Old Solo 401(k) Holder Just Found $234, 000 of Additional Roth Conversion Headroom Most Self-Employed Retirees Miss
17+ hour, 13+ min ago (455+ words) Solo 401(k) holders can stack $67, 500$69, 500 in annual contributions across three working years through 2028 by combining the $24, 500 employee deferral, $8, 000 age 50+ catch-up, and roughly $35, 000 employer profit-sharing capacity on $185, 000 net self-employment income, totaling ~$234, 000 before year-end action. SECURE 2. 0 Section 604 now permits all contributions'including employer profit-sharing'to…...
The QLAC Strategy That Defers $210, 000 of a $1. 8 Million 401(k) Past RMDs Until Age 85
20+ hour, 47+ min ago (582+ words) A 70-year-old with $1. 8 M in a traditional 401(k) can use a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC) to shield $210, 000 from required minimum distributions until age 85, reducing her RMD at age 73 by roughly $12, 700 annually and saving $30, 000-$40, 000 in federal taxes over 12 years while avoiding…...
I Ignored My 401(k) Allocation for 10 Years While My Wife's Crushed Mine: Here's the Percentage That Mattered
23+ hour, 44+ min ago (734+ words) The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) returned roughly 257% over the 10 years ending May 26, 2026, illustrating the long-term market backdrop that amplifies compounding returns. A worker contributing 3% of a $60, 000 salary builds roughly $176, 000 over 30 years, while one contributing 12% builds roughly $705, 000 from the…...
Should I Take a 401(k) Loan for Emergency Expenses?
21+ hour, 20+ min ago (117+ words) A 401(k) loan may offer quick cash, but it could put your retirement savings at risk. Should I Take a 401(k) Loan for Emergency Expenses? It's not uncommon to find yourself in a financial crunch and needing a way to dig yourself…...
What's Stalling 401(k) Record Keeper Consolidation
1+ day, 17+ hour ago (218+ words) Lessons learned by the recently announced acquisition of American Trust by Ascensus. Why should advisors care? Related: 401(k) Real Talk Episode 193: May 20, 2026 Related: How Will the Industry Handle the Explosion of New 401(k) Plans? Related: 401(k) Real Talk Episode 192: May 13, 2026 Regardless, RPAs need…...
The Real Cost of Retiring at 60 Instead of 65 - We Did The Math
1+ day, 20+ hour ago (781+ words) The gap is bigger than most people expect across three categories. For many Americans, retiring at 60 sounds like the ultimate financial milestone. But the difference between retiring at 60 and waiting until 65 isn't just five years of paychecks. It's a compounding…...