Retirement Plan Education

Retirement Plan Facts Your employer provides you with a retirement plan for you to save money in, tax-deferred, for the day you bid your career farewell and enter into retirement. It’s important for you to know the facts about your plan, so you can maximize its saving potential. Here are essentials to know about your retirement plan: What is it?…

The number of notices and disclosures required to retirement plan participants has increased while methods to access information changed drastically. Many individuals receive their news and information on electronic devices through apps and social media. What remains the same is the Department of Labor’s (DOL) guidance on permissible methods to provide notices electronically. There is a disconnect between the method…

Most people need to save more — often a lot more — to build a nest egg that can meet their needs. Many financial experts recommend putting away 10 to 15 percent of your pay for retirement. There’s a relatively painless way to reach that goal. Take small steps Begin by contributing enough to receive your employer’s matching contribution Consider…

1. Don’t Cash Out Retirement Plans When Changing Employment When you leave a job, the vested benefits in your retirement plan are an enticing source of money. It may be difficult to resist the urge to take that money as cash, particularly if retirement is many years away. If you do decide to cash out, understand that you will very…

With everything going on in the world today, it may feel overwhelming and challenging for many of us to think about planning for retirement. There are some basic steps that you can follow to help work toward a successful retirement especially during periods of uncertainty. Remember that markets have and will continue to go up and down, but a long-term…

Do you have retirement assets held with a previous employer? What to do with those assets can be a difficult decision, with many options available. This quarterly education piece describes the top ten reasons for consolidating into your current employer’s retirement plan versus an Individual Retirement Account. 10 Reasons to Roll Into Your Employer’s Plan

Volatile markets can make you wonder if you’re on track to meet your retirement goals. Don’t be discouraged, and most of all, don’t panic. Instead, be proactive! Click on the article below to find tips to take in both up and down markets. Tips to Follow a Turbulent Market

John Friar was invited to present the role of 401(k)’s within Total Compensation at the Janesville-Beloit Blackhawk SHRM event. John was invited to present along with Patrick Kelley, Alissa Martin, and Mary Jo Spiekerman, by one of our business partners, Hausmann Group. Each of the presenters has a vast knowledge in each area that makes up Total Compensation and has…

When designating a beneficiary on your 401(k), you are legally allowed to use a trust, but is it a wise move? Because both 401(k)s and IRAs will automatically bypass the process on probate and even the lawyers involved, a trust could unnecessarily complicate the entire situation. If there is a beneficiary form, there is no need for a trust to…