finance 123

Monday, 25 May 2009

How to Invest for your Retirement

By Colin Jones

Retirement may be a long, long way off for you or it could be right around the corner. It doesn't how near or far away it is, you have absolutely got to start saving for it right now. However, saving for retirement isnt what it used to be with the increase in the cost of living and the instability of social security. Nowadays, you have to invest for your retirement, as opposed to saving for it!

We shall start by looking at the retirement plan, which is offered by your company. Once upon a time, these schemes were quite sound. However, after the Enron collapse and all the problems which followed, people arent as confident in their company retirement schemes anymore. However, if you decide not to put money in your companys retirement plan, you do have other options.

First of all, you can invest in bonds, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, mutual funds and stocks in alphabetical order. You do not have to state to anybody that the returns on these investments are to be used for retirement. Simply let your money grow over a period of time, and when an investment reaches its maturity date or value, reinvest it and continue to let your money grow.

You could also open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). IRAs are very popular because the money is not taxed until you withdraw the funds. You may also be able to deduct your IRA contributions from the taxes that you pay. An IRA can be opened at most larger banks.

A ROTH IRA is a much newer type of retirement account. With a ROTH IRA, you pay taxes on the money that you invest into your ROTH IRA account, but when you cash it in, no federal taxes are owed. Roth IRAs can also be opened at most larger financial institutions.

Another very popular type of retirement account is the 401(k). 401(ks) are typically offered through employers, but you may be able to open a 401(k) on your own. You should talk to a financial planner or accountant to help you with this.

The Keogh scheme is another type of IRA which is more suited to self employed people. Self-employed small business owners may also be interested in Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP). This is another kind of Keogh plan that some people typically find easier to administer than a normal Keogh scheme.

Whichever retirement investment plan you decide on, just make sure you do choose one! Again, do not depend on social security, company retirement plans, or even an inheritance which may or may not come through! Take care of your financial future by investing in one kind of investment scheme right now. - 16931

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