Vanguard has released a revealing report about what's happened with the typical person's 401(k) -- from the peak of the market to the bottom in March and now factoring in the recent run-up.
Those who bailed for "safe" choices in their portfolio when the going got tough missed the recovery. But those who stayed put in their holdings ended up making a full round-trip, according to the Vanguard Center for Retirement Research.
In fact, 60 percent of people are now even or up from where they were two years ago.
This just highlights (yet again) the wisdom of dollar cost averaging, where you invest in small amounts every pay period as you would with a traditional 401(k). When you dollar cost average, each dollars buys more when stocks are on fire-sale prices and less when they're overpriced during a recovery.
Of course, so much has to do with your age. I believe those who are under 40 are on the cusp of great opportunity for fantastic wealth. For those people aged 40-55, the volatility of the past two years has been more of a wash. And those over 55 who were heavily invested in stocks have suffered the most.
Look to international mutual and index fund choices for a meaningful position of your money going forward. This gives you a hedge against the weakening dollar and a chance to grow your portfolio based on what's going on beyond just here in the United States. Remember, the bulk of capitalist growth takes place outside America.
Finally, one stock you never want to have is your employer's stock in a 401(k) plan. So many people miss this message and later regret it. If your employer's fortunes falter, so too does your prospect of retirement.
Those who bailed for "safe" choices in their portfolio when the going got tough missed the recovery. But those who stayed put in their holdings ended up making a full round-trip, according to the Vanguard Center for Retirement Research.
In fact, 60 percent of people are now even or up from where they were two years ago.
This just highlights (yet again) the wisdom of dollar cost averaging, where you invest in small amounts every pay period as you would with a traditional 401(k). When you dollar cost average, each dollars buys more when stocks are on fire-sale prices and less when they're overpriced during a recovery.
Of course, so much has to do with your age. I believe those who are under 40 are on the cusp of great opportunity for fantastic wealth. For those people aged 40-55, the volatility of the past two years has been more of a wash. And those over 55 who were heavily invested in stocks have suffered the most.
Look to international mutual and index fund choices for a meaningful position of your money going forward. This gives you a hedge against the weakening dollar and a chance to grow your portfolio based on what's going on beyond just here in the United States. Remember, the bulk of capitalist growth takes place outside America.
Finally, one stock you never want to have is your employer's stock in a 401(k) plan. So many people miss this message and later regret it. If your employer's fortunes falter, so too does your prospect of retirement.
