We are now halfway through 2009. If you do not max-out your 401(k), 403(b) or other employer-sponsored retirement plans with the maximum contribution this halfway point in the year is good time to increase your contribution percentage to get you further towards that goal. Slowly increasing this by 1 or-3% of your pay one or two times a year will ease the decrease in take home pay so that you can easily adjust. This prevents abandoning increased contributions in the future.
Remember those that reach their retirement savings goals have a plan or a process to get there. If you are hesitant, then I suggest looking at the facts. Here is a great 401(k) online contribution calculator. This should be utilized so you understand what the actual amount that will be taken out of your take home pay. Since 401(k) contributions are taken out of your pay before income tax is calculated, then you lower the amount of income on which you will be taxed. Fewer taxes will be taken out. The end result is that the extra 1% contribution, will decrease your take home pay by less than 1%. Look at it as your contribution is “on sale” just like your favorite brand of jeans.
Other times to increase your contribution until you are reaching the maximum include:
- January 1
- Your birthday
- Date your raise becomes effective
Be sure to check with your employer-sponsored plan to see if you can enroll in an automatic increase program that will increase your contribution percentage for you. Life is busy and many of us will not remember to increase that percentage. These options automate the process of increasing your retirement savings for you! Send me a quick email at barbarakingnh@gmail.com if you have any questions.