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Dear Carrie: I'm 27 and finally in a situation where I can save some money. Last year, I was even able to put $5,000 in a Roth IRA. But now what? Everyone tells me to start investing, but I have to confess I'm kind of scared. I think what's been happening in the last few years has really shaken me up. How can I invest and not lose money? --A Reader Dear Reader: First, major kudos for getting an early start on retirement saving. By starting in your twenties, you give yourself a huge advantage; in fact, if you continue...

The day after Congress passed the new healthcare law, an opponent called it "a fiscal Frankenstein." In fact, those are fitting words for Roth individual retirement accounts, or IRAs. Roths drive up the federal deficit and cause other pain. They're great for holders but grim for America. It's time to retire them. In a Roth, taxes are treated the other way around. There's no tax break on contributions. But from that point on, taxes simply vanish. As long as the account is at least 5 years old, there is no tax on any withdrawals made after age 59 1/2. There's...

A bill filed by U.S. senators Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) would automatically enroll most U.S. workers in individual retirement accounts if their employers don't sponsor a retirement plan. All automatic IRAs would offer the same three standardized investment options, each to be developed with regulations and fee guidelines issued by the Treasury and Department of Labor. The options would include a "principal preservation fund" (which would include a special Treasury Retirement Bond , the R-Bond, designed for use within an automatic IRA), a "life-cycle" option and an "alternative investment option" that can include a higher concentration...

Congress wouldn't tax Roth IRAs, would it? It is a burning question for thousands of taxpayers now deciding whether to pay taxes to convert their regular individual retirement accounts to Roth accounts. All taxpayers are eligible to make the switch, because this year the income limit of $100,000 was permanently repealed. Many have done so already: Fidelity Investments says that as of May 31, the firm had handled 87,000 Roth conversions this year, about four times the number for the same period last year. But dozens of less-convinced readers have asked Tax Report about Congress's intentions, and well-known IRA expert...

It has been reported by Business Week that the US Labor Department and Treasury Department are asking for public comment on a plan to convert individuals' retirement accounts (IRAs and 401(k)s) into government sponsored annuities featuring US Government bonds. The scheme would start off as voluntary, but only makes sense -- like socialized health care -- if it becomes mandatory and universal. In essence the government is asking if we would mind if they nationalized our money in return for a promise of more money in the future . . . like a Ponzi scheme called Social Security, but even...

You’ll be hearing a lot in the next six months about Roth Individual Retirement Accounts — but not as much as you should about a long-term threat that hangs over them. ... Why would you want to [swap a regular for a Roth IRA]? Because you think you or your heirs could end up with more money over the long haul by investing in a Roth instead of a regular I.R.A. ... It all seems pretty simple, until you consider this: The tax laws might change substantially, throwing all of your careful planning into utter disarray. We’re currently staring down...

A wide range of sweeping changes to the 401(k) system were proposed Tuesday at a hearing on how the market crisis has devastated retirement savings plans. Chief among them was eliminating $80 billion in tax savings for higher-income people enrolled in 401(k) retirement savings plans. This was suggested by the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. “With respect to the 401(k), it appears to be a plan that is not really well-devised for the changes in the market,” Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., said.

A wide range of sweeping changes to the 401(k) system were proposed Tuesday at a hearing on how the market crisis has devastated retirement savings plans. Chief among them was eliminating $80 billion in tax savings for higher-income people enrolled in 401(k) retirement savings plans. This was suggested by the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. “With respect to the 401(k), it appears to be a plan that is not really well-devised for the changes in the market,” Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., said. “We’ve invested $80 billion into subsidizing this activity,” he said, referring to tax breaks...

Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation's $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, are looking at redirecting those tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute. A plan by Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic-policy analysis at The New School for Social Research...

For those who don't know, here's what it is in a nutshell: Employee 401k contribution are automatically deducted from their paycheck each pay period. This money is taken out before the employees paycheck is taxed. The contributions are invested at the employees direction into one or more funds provided in the plan. Employers often "match" employee contributions, but are not required to do so. While the investments grow in the employees 401k account, they do not pay any taxes on it. The individual is using his or her property to ensure a prosperous future before the government has a chance...

House Democrats Contemplate Abolishing 401(k) Tax Breaks Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation’s $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-California, and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Washington, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, are looking at redirecting those tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute. A plan by Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic-policy analysis...

Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation’s $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive..... “The savings rate isn’t going up for the investment of $80 billion,” he [Democratic Congressman George Miller] said. “We have to start to think about ... whether or not we want to continue to invest that $80 billion for a policy that’s not generating what we now say it should.” “From where I sit that’s just crazy,” said John Belluardo, president of Stewardship Financial Services Inc. in Tarrytown, New...

McCain -- go after them the Democrates. The Democrats want to end the private retirement system that has allowed Americans to become a vast investor class and put them back in thrall of the federal government. This is nothing more than a second welfare system that would sit on top of the crumbling Social Security entitlement. It would leave the American working and middle classes with no retirement option other than a government handout. If the Democrats control both Congress and the White House, kiss your 401(k)s goodbye, and get into the bread lines first before the crowd arrives. (via...

Biden lashes out at corporate greed at Colo. stopCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said Wednesday it's unfair that executives of failed corporations are paid millions of dollars while their employees lose their pensions. Biden vowed that he and Barack Obama would attack corporate greed if they're elected. Biden took direct aim at executives who draw big salaries while leading failed companies. "Their pensions go first," he told a roaring crowd.

House Democrats Contemplate Abolishing 401(k) Tax Breaks Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation’s $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-California, and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-HAMAS (Washington), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, are looking at redirecting those tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute. A plan by Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic-policy...

Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation's $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, are looking at redirecting those tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute. A plan by Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic-policy analysis at The New School for Social Research...

McCain suggests Democrats will tax 401(k) contributions, Dems say that's 'ridiculous'Posted by Stephen Koff/Plain Dealer Washington Bureau Chief October 30, 2008 14:45PM Never mind Barack Obama's tax plan, which would raise taxes for people earning more than $250,000. We already know that John McCain says that Obama wouldn't likely stop there, while Obama says he would. But this morning in Defiance, Ohio, McCain appeared to try to ramp up worries for any worker saving for retirement: Under Democrats, your 401(k) contributions might be taxed, too. "This Democratic Congress -- this -- this Reid-Pelosi group of liberals, including Congressman Barney Frank,...

McCain: "This Democratic Congress -- this -- this Reid-Pelosi group of liberals, including Congressman Barney Frank, is planning all sorts of new taxes this week," McCain told the Ohio crowd. "This week, we're hearing they want to tax your 401(k) contributions."

Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation’s $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-California, and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Washington, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, are looking at redirecting those tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute. A plan by Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic-policy analysis at the New School for Social Research...

You have to give Rush Limbaugh a perverse kind of credit. At least when he is demonizing Barack Obama, fabricating Obama policies, blaming Obama for single-handedly causing the recession and the stock market crash, he doesn't pretend to be fair. Opening his first post-election rant against the president-elect, Limbaugh launched in with a certain relish. "The game," he told his radio listeners, "has begun," the LA Times reports. Sean Hannity, on the other hand, insisted on feigning a post-election detente, telling his Fox News television audience last week, "I want Barack Obama to succeed." Didn't he think anyone would notice...

There is no proposal in Congress to take away your 401(k) savings account. In any case, the stock market has already done a pretty good job of wiping out several trillion dollars worth of 401(k) savings without any help from Congress. At that hearing, one of the witnesses, Teresa Ghilarducci, an economics professor at The New School for Social Research, made an interesting observation. By her calculations, the government spends as much as $80 billion a year in tax breaks to subsidize 401(k) savings plans. In her opinion, that money could be better spent offering a tax credit for a...

Obama's retirement plan proposalsRetirees and workers with 401(k) savings may see changes. By DAVID PITT Associated Press Writer November 09. 2008 6:59AM The election is over and the message is clear — the economy is priority one. The big question now is how some of President-elect Barack Obama's campaign proposals will affect retirees and workers with 401(k) and other retirement accounts. Looking at them a bit closer may reveal some clues. What are some of the ideas Obama has proposed that could impact my retirement planning? One issue Obama has endorsed may get serious consideration before he takes the oath...

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts - including 401(k)s and IRAs - and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration. Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly. The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7...

RALEIGH Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers' personal retirement accounts including 401(k)s and IRAs and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration. Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly. The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for the House Committee...

You may have heard about Argentina's plan to nationalize private retirement accounts. Some Democrats on Capitol Hill are inspired, and with their big election victory they may get the chance to test Peronist ideas in America. Meet Congressmen George Miller and Jim McDermott, who are eager to change the way Americans save for their golden years. They'll also be powerbrokers in the next Congress. Mr. Miller, who came in with the Class of 1974 from California, chairs the House Education and Labor Committee. Mr. McDermott, who has represented Seattle the past two decades, runs a House Ways and Means subcommittee...

Calls grow to overhaul 401(k) retirement plans The financial crisis, which has caused a dramatic decline in the value of the average worker's account, has undermined confidence in the system. By Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 7:03 PM PST, November 15, 2008 Reporting from Washington -- For nearly three decades, working Americans have been part of a huge experiment with their future well-being: Old-fashioned pensions that guaranteed specific retirement benefits have given way to old-age benefitsthat depend on personal investing in the financial markets. But now, with those markets in crisis and the value of workers' investments plunging,...

Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts — including 401(k)s and IRAs — and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration. Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly. The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for the House...

RALEIGH — Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts — including 401(k)s and IRAs — and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration. Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly. The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for...

Question: It’s my understanding that starting in 2010 the rule that prohibits you from converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA (for modified adjusted gross incomes over $100,000) will be eliminated. If that’s the case, can I convert all types of IRAs - deductible IRAs, nondeductible and even rollover IRAs that contain money moved from a 401(k) plan? How long do I have to do this? Do the new conversion rules expire at some point? –Hussam, Bergenfield, New Jersey SNIP Second, while Congress kept the rule that prevents you from making annual contributions to a Roth if your...

Question: My employer offers a 401(k), but no match. Given that I'm already maxing out my Roth IRA, would I be better off investing in a taxable account rather than contributing to my no-match 401(k)? - Luis Gonzalez, Denver, Colorado Answer: Life would indeed be a sweeter if your 401(k) plan came with a matching employer contribution, as most plans do. But remember: A 401(k) offers a nifty tax break in that the funds you contribute, as well as all of your account's earnings, aren't taxed as long as they stay within the account. And that tax-deferred compounding is a...

Treasury Targets Roth IRA Abuses Washington (Jan. 5, 2004) -- The Treasury and Internal Revenue Service have issued new guidance aimed at shutting down abuses involving indirect contributions to Roth IRAs. The guidance, in IRS Notice 2004-8, addresses situations in which value is shifted into an individual’s Roth IRA through transactions involving entities owned by the individual. Notices are published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. “The notice illustrates that a contribution to an IRA through a transaction that disguises the value of the contribution may disqualify the IRA,” said Pam Olson, Treasury assistant secretary for tax policy. For example,...