Am I wasting money on my 401(k)?

Question

Right now I'm contributing only 1% of my pay to my 401(k) invested primarily in TRRMX (Retirement 2050). I have a company match of .50 to every $1- up to $500/year.

Anyway, I've been tracking my 401(k) in Quicken and my balance keeps going down (due to the market's situation). I'm not planning on taking money out that's already there, but should I really be throwing MORE money at it?

I'm considering putting a halt on my contributions, but I don't know if I should look at this as an advantage that I'm buying in lower. What do you think?

Answer 1

Don't invest more than $500 a year in this account.  Check with yor administrator to see if you can move your investment from the mutual fund, where you are, into a fixed account.

If you want to invest other monies in a retirement account, you might put it in  a Roth if you qualify.  Do some research to understand how you will ultimately be able to access the money down the road.  

Since taxes are so low now, putting money in investments where you are paying the tax today, and getting out of paying the tax later will probably save you a lot of money, if you believe tax rates will be going up.

Answer 2

You should keep contributing.  This is for RETIREMENT investing, as in LONG TERM.  Don't chase market ups and downs.  BTW, the T. Rowe Price target date funds are about the best ones around.

Answer 3

Take the match and put rest of your contributions into a Roth IRA ($5000 max). Once you maxed the Roth there are a few options for additional tax benefits. One topic I'd question is the reason you choose the Retirement 2050. There is my recommedation for you.

Answer 4

I agree with the thoughts that you should continue to get the match.

I also agree with the first poster - stocks are low, it's time to buy.  We've had market corrections like this before where everyone thought the sky was going to fall in.  It was mainly people who pulled out of the market that lost money in the long run.

Answer 5

Oh my good Lord. I hate to be so cynical, but this is your RETIREMENT! Do NOT listen to these people, the stock market is correcting right now, it will be years before it consolidates and starts to be profitable again!

Any commodities are the way to go. IF you choose stocks, mines are the way to go.

Research Long Valuation Waves. Please. This is your retirement.

(The SPX has gained less than 2% since 2000. Stocks are still very overvalued.

Please understand that your money is losing value very rapidly, as the FED creates more and more dollars out of thin air, it robs the value of your savings. Research real inflation rates. (The CPI is fudged, it doesnt even include the price of food or energy. 3.4%?!?! haaaaaaa try at least 10-15% Conservative!.

Please research what is really happening, stop listening to these numbskulls, don't go down with them!

This will get you started on your quest for real knowledge of the markets...this guy tells what's really going on.

Welcome to the world of contrarian investing.

http://zealllc.com/2008/moninf.htm ...inflation research

http://zealllc.com/2008/vxospx.htm ... trading bear markets

http://zealllc.com/essays.htm ... all essays

Answer 6

You should keep contributing at least $1000 a year so you get the match.  

You want to buy low and sell high, right now it would be low since it is going down.  Simple economics business cycle, there will be highs and lows.

Answer 7

Hold up there.  You don't want to put a halt on your contributions, as that will hurt you two ways.  One, you will not receive the matching employer funds.  Two, you will not receive the tax benefits from making tax-free contributions.  If you were to invest just $1000 a year, you'd get $500 a year from your company for free.  Think about it, that's a 50% return on your money!  And the tax benefits mean that your contributions are worth even more, depending on your tax situation.

If you're concerned about the declining value of your portfolio, change the allocation so it is invested in a fund that won't lose its value, like a cash fund or money market fund within the 401k.  All 401k plans have options that are basically like going to cash and getting a small return.  That way you won't lose out on the matching or the tax benefits, and you won't have to worry about your account value going down.

Good luck!