How to Save for Retirement

Pay Yourself First | 401K | IRA | Roth IRA

The trick to saving consistently is to pay yourself first. The best way to do that is by having money deducted from each paycheck and put into a 401K account or an IRA account.

Employer Contributions

401K accounts are set up by employers and allow employees to save money out of their pay check and invest the money as the 401 allows. In many cases the employer will match the employees savings which is like getting free money. Employers may match anywhere from 0-6% of an employee contribution and that contribution is tax free. All money put into a 401K account is tax free until it is taken out during retirement.

Self Employed

If you are self employed or your employer does not offer a 401K plan, you may set up an IRA account at your local bank or stock broker. An IRA works the same way as a 401K but is an individual plan rather than a company sponsored plan.

Investing Wisely

Companies like TD Ameritrade can help you set up an IRA account as either a standard IRA or a Roth IRA. With the Roth IRA you pay taxes on the money you save, but you can take it out tax free when you retire.