If your employer is offering a 401(k) plan with a company match, chances are you’ll be enrolling in this benefit as soon as you’re eligible. Maxing out contributions to a 401(k) plan is a great way to start saving for retirement, but you might feel a bit uncertain about how to make the right investment selections.
Money expert Dave Ramsey outlined on his website, Ramsey Solutions, the five steps everyone needs to take when investing in their company 401(k). Here are five simple steps to choosing your 401(k) investments.
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1. Review Your Company’s Plan
Everything you need to know about making 401(k) selections starts by reviewing your company’s plan document.
Some key details include the employer match, vesting schedule, any 401(k) fees, services available to you and guidance for making changes to your 401(k) investments.
Carefully review this document and make sure you understand the details. If you don’t have a copy, reach out to your company’s HR department for one.
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2. Fill Out Your Beneficiary Designation Form
If something happened and you died tomorrow, who would receive your 401(k) funds? A beneficiary form dictates whom you would like to receive these funds.
Those new to enrolling in a 401(k) are recommended to fill out this form. If you enrolled a long time ago and did not fill out a beneficiary designation form, Ramsey Solutions recommends contacting your 401(k) plan manager. You can fill out this form with the manager or update an existing form if you have a new primary beneficiary.
3. Complete the Enrollment Form
Once you have reviewed your company’s plan document and know whom to list as your beneficiary, you can complete the plan enrollment form.
Before you complete this form, Ramsey Solutions recommends contacting your 401(k) plan manager. Why would you do this? You might feel uncertain about whether you should contribute to a traditional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k) and whether there’s a better option between the two choices.
Contacting your 401(k) plan manager, according to Ramsey Solutions, allows you to find out whether you have the option to choose pre-tax or after-tax contributions. Their recommendation is to take advantage of the Roth option, if your plan offers it.
4. Explore Your Investment Options
Most 401(k) plan documents will list three or four investment choices as part of your company’s plan. However, it is possible you may find up to a dozen options listed in this document.