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Stories Tagged as

401(k)

401(k) contributions higher than ever, Vanguard says. But is it enough?

by Caleigh Wells
Jun 26, 2024
The investment company found that its 401(k) holders contributed 7.4% of their earnings in 2023. Automatic enrollment is a factor.
Vanguard 401(k) holders contributed 7.4% of their earnings in 2023 — almost 12% if you include employer contributions.
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How equitable are 401(k) plans?

by Caleigh Wells
Jun 6, 2024
A new Vanguard study says 401(k)s aren’t enough for many people to retire, and that the top 20% of earners get 44% of employer contributions.
White employees and those with well-off parents reap the biggest benefits of 401(k)s, said MIT finance professor Taha Choukhmane.
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401(k) balances are rising, but most savers still won't have enough for retirement

by Samantha Fields
Aug 18, 2023
The average 401(k) balance is a tenth of what a middle-class person would need to maintain their lifestyle, one expert says.
Marketplace's senior economics contributor details findings from a new report that ranks global retirement systems.
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What’s the deal with catch-up provisions and retirement?

by David Brancaccio , Chris Farrell and Erika Soderstrom
Jul 27, 2023
The details on this savings tactic and how it’s changing in 2024.
According to a study by Vanguard, only 16% of people near retirement took advantage of the catch-up provision.
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Congress moves to boost rainy day funds for workers

by Nova Safo , Chris Farrell and Erika Soderstrom
Dec 28, 2022
Included in the $1.7 trillion spending bill Congress recently passed are measures to help grow workers’ emergency savings.
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Fidelity will give employers the option of adding bitcoin to the options in the 401(k) plans they offer

by Matt Levin
Apr 27, 2022
And companies may have good reasons not to.
While a 401(k) that includes cryptocurrency may pique the interest of younger investors, the volatility of bitcoin worries some financial advisors.
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A bill that aims to expand access to 401(k) accounts is on its way to the Senate

by Stephanie Hughes
Mar 31, 2022
The House approved it by an overwhelming, bipartisan majority.
The Securing a Strong Retirement Act, now in the Senate, aims to make it easier for Americans to save for retirement.
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COVID-19

Few people are tapping 401(k)s, even without withdrawal penalties

by Samantha Fields
Nov 12, 2020
The CARES Act made it easier to get money out of retirement savings early. But that only helps people with enough cushion to have a 401(k).
At Vanguard, 4.5% of people had taken a coronavirus-related distribution as of the end of September.
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