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Saturday, July 14, 2007

Retirement Plan Considerations Cheat Sheet for Small Business

Retirement Plan Considerations Cheat Sheet for Small Business


RETIREMENT PLAN CONSIDERATIONS are something every small business person needs to be thinking about. Do you have a strategic plan? Don't expect to have social security save you.Topics to consider when developing a retirement plan for yourself and your employees.

ADVISOR:Independent Advisory Firm

Insurance Brokerage Based
Securities Brokerage Based

PLAN ADMINISTRATOR/SERVICE PROVIDER:

Third Party Administrator
Insurance Company
Mutual Fund Company
Securities Brokerage Company

TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN:

Insurance Company
Mutual Fund Company
Securities Brokerage Company
Self-Trustee

TYPE OF PLAN:IRARoth IRASimplified Employee Pension Plan - (SEP)Savings Incentive Match Plan For Employees IRA - (SIMPLE IRA)Savings Incentive Match Plan For Employees 401 (k) - (SIMPLE 401 (k))401 (k) PlanMoney Purchase Pension PlanProfit Sharing Pension Plan403 (b) PlanTarget Benefit PlanDefined Benefit Pension PlanOTHER PLAN

CONSIDERATIONS:SuitabilityPlan Features (Including Cost, Establishment and Maintenance) Plan Contribution LimitsSet Up And Contribution DeadlinesEligibility RequirementsInvestment OptionsAs a small business person you may eventually sell your business, perhaps for a large sum, but with inflation and cost of living will it be enough? People are living longer, so if you think you will work until age 60 or 70 and then sell your business, you may need enough money to live for another forty or more years.

The avearge life expectancy for a 30-40 year old is age 110. That is without considering any new break through miracle drugs, which scientists assure us are definitely on there way.Currently we see the political tug of war as to what to do about social security. Do you have a plan? Are you willing to take that risk?"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World;
www.WorldThinkTank.net/Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Time Out: Retirement Planning

Time Out: Retirement Planning


Are you paying any attention to your retirement savings? Do you have it in cash or an account with a broker? Maybe you have a professional manager who is investing your money as you add to it every month.Is your account increasing in value every year? If it isn’t why are you letting anyone else invest for you? There is no point having a loser in charge of your money. You must take the time to direct what and where you money is invested. Too many people tell me they don’t know what to do, but if your account has been going down every year you would not do any worse then the “expert”.

I love those professional money managers who tell you about diversification. You know that one. Put some in stocks, some in bonds, some in annuities, and some in a money market account. Did it ever occur to you that the reason they want you to spread it around is because they don’t know where the best place really is and hope that some part will make some money? Did your broker or financial planner brag that he beat the S&P index last year, but you still lost money because it was down 22%? You are better off to have it in the mattress at zero percent than watch it disappear in those monthly statements.

Brokers are not taught to make money or even how to protect your capital. The average broker has 300 accounts and unless you have a very large sum or are an active trader he doesn’t even know who you are. When was the last time you spoke with him? Ask him what his investment strategy is.In the past 3 years we have seen the general market (S&P500) lose one third of its value as of this date. And the Nasdaq has lost more than 60%. Recently the bond market has collapsed and wiped out all the profits of the previous 4 years.

So much for diversification. The mattress looks better all the time.The single most important thing about investing is not to lose money. I’m not joking. It is the basic rule of all professional traders (and I was one when I was a floor trader on the exchange) not to take big losses. You must make that a rule for yourself. Each week or at least once each month you must review what is happening in your account and weed out any and all weak stocks and mutual funds.You can be sure your broker will not call you to sell out of a weak position.

It is your money and no one has more interest in it than you do. You have to take the time out to do it yourself. Take a time out now and make that call.Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know.1-888-345-7870; al@mutualfundstrategy.com

Does Retirement Fit Into Your Busy Schedule?

Does Retirement Fit Into Your Busy Schedule?


Why do you work?Stop and think about it. Other than the income you derive from the various tasks and responsibilities you perform on the job, are there any other reasons you get up every morning before the birds do, drive your car in rush-hour traffic, get into the office and go to several meetings throughout the day that have yet to change life as we know it, and sit at your desk going through all the things you need to go through that are a part of what’s been called, work?You’ve been doing this for a long time.

You’ve been putting up with office politics, with a lot of grief from your supervisors, peers and direct reports, and then coming home a bit less energized than when you left twelve hours earlier, only to face other issues on the home front. Other than the money, what has been motivating you all these years?Hopefully, you have been able to derive a measure of satisfaction from doing those things that have tapped your creativity and utilized a good percentage of your talents, capabilities and unique gifts. Hopefully, you have followed your passion over the years and associated yourself with the types of jobs and careers for which you have felt a lot of enthusiasm, and from which you have been able to experience tremendous fulfillment.

If you are reaching retirement age, it may be time for you to look at a retirement calculator, assess your finances, and review all the things that have produced your fulfillment. If you are financially positioned to retire, should you? It seems like a silly question, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. I don’t recommend retirement to anyone.Retirement implies you are no longer working. You’ve given up the treadmill described above for a villa somewhere off the coast of Spain. Sounds great, doesn’t it?! Then why would I not recommend retirement? The reason is simple: People need to do creative things. They need to be involved and express their talents and capabilities to the fullest. It’s not only a way of feeling useful or deriving an income; it’s more importantly a requirement for sanity and longevity.

Numerous studies corroborate this.Does this mean you shouldn’t retire? Do you have to remain on the treadmill until you die? Not exactly. You can get out of the "rat race" without retiring. Applying a new dimension to the word, retire, it no longer implies that you stop working; rather, you are no longer working for someone else. You can still have that villa, only now you can also be engaged in creating and expressing your talents. For many retirees, it means establishing and marketing their hobbies. For many others, it’s about starting their own consulting business.The important thing to consider as you approach retirement age is that over the years you have brought a lot to the table and have given of yourself in many, many ways.

You can now take those same talents and begin to look at ways you can continue to apply them in a self-employed capacity. The rewards will be great. You’ll be off the treadmill, you’ll stay sane, you’ll live longer, and that villa off the coast of Spain just got a new owner, you.Copyright © 2005 TopDog Group All rights reserved.David Richter is a recognized authority in career coaching and job search support. He has spent many years in recruitment, staffing, outplacement, counseling psychology and career management spanning most industries and professions. David founded TopDog Group in response to the needs of job candidates to have a higher quality of career coaching and support available on the Internet.

David understands the mechanisms for success. He has formulated specific strategies anyone can use to secure interviews and receive offers. His extensive knowledge and experience sets David apart in this field, allowing him to offer a wealth of information and a vast array of tools, resources and strategies not found anywhere else. He has shown countless job seekers how to differentiate themselves and leverage their potential to the highest possible level, making a real difference in their careers. David holds both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. David's website address is: http://www.procareercoach.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Richter

Investing for Retirement - Not an All or Nothing Play

Investing for Retirement - Not an All or Nothing Play


In 1519, Hernando Cortes, beached on the shores of unexplored Mexico, made a fateful decision: he would burn the ships he and his men arrived in and attempt to overthrow Montezuma and the mighty Aztec empire. The decision was risky. The Aztecs were meant to possess large numbers of brave warriors while Cortes had only a handful of men. If Cortes had the slightest setback there would be no escape. On the other hand, Cortes had no choice. The powerful Governor of Cuba wanted his head. Cortes had defied the Governor time and time again and his best option for getting out of the situation was to win favor with King Charles by conquering a civilization rich in gold and other treasures.

Since Cortes' men might get a little antsy if the going got rough and decide they would prefer going home, Cortes decided it would be best to completely align their incentives with his. He did this by burning the ships. Anything but success would now equal death for Cortes and all of his men. Thus began the famous march from Vera Cruz to Tenochtitlan.

Your retirement is not the conquest of New Spain. All or nothing plays, though they can be wildly successful and can lead to conquistador like splendor, are not the kinds of risks you should be taking with your future. Putting all of your savings into a single speculative venture should be reserved for situations when there is truly nothing to lose.When investing for the future you should take a much longer view of things. You should understand that the economy undergoes boom and bust cycles, fads come and go and sometimes you just plain get unlucky. To combat the vicissitudes of fortune you must diversify your investment holdings.A lot of people go about their savings in a very simple way: they have their employer take money out of their paycheck and put it in a 401(k) plan. This is a good, tax advantaged way to save.

The problem often comes, however, when the employee falls prey to the employer's siren song of re-investing in the company. Perhaps the company has been doing well lately and the employee is bullish on the future success of the company. He or she then goes ahead and contributes 100% of his 401(k) to purchasing company stock. That is a potentially disastrous decision.Most people's livelihoods are not well diversified. For the most part people rely on their employer for their future well being. Your employer supplies your paycheck, you are counting on your employer for wage increases and you may also be expecting a nice little pension when you retire. That is already a lot of eggs in one basket.

Companies fail suddenly, layoffs occur and you do not always have the meteoric rise in your career that you might hope for.To subject your savings to the fortunes of the company that you already are so dependent upon is something you should do only after careful consideration of all the alternatives. It might be the right thing to do, but you are taking on a lot of risk in doing it.So if you aren't doubling down on your company's future, what should you be doing with your retirement savings? The answer obviously depends on where you are in your life. When you are younger you can take a few more risks in life. Your portfolio should be weighted towards slightly riskier assets rather than stable, income producing assets. As you get older the mix should change until you reach a point in life where, finally, your portfolio consists of mostly income producing assets.This is not carte blanche to go on a wild stock-picking adventure with your retirement money while you are young. You should leave that to the pros. There are people who dedicate their lives to learning the art of investing.

These people study The Intelligent Investor like it was a bible. They pore over annual reports and study where Warren Buffet went to lunch that day in an attempt to glean a precious new piece of information. If this profile does not sound like you, stay away from stock-picking. Even the pros have a hard time beating the market and they have advantages that you can never hope to have on your side.Sure you can gamble a little bit of money on that hot stock your cousin told you about, but think of it the same way as putting a pile of money on red at the roulette table: odds are you are going to lose your money, but, hell, you might get lucky and win.For proper long term planning, concentrate on finding a mutual fund that has a nice track record, low fees and a good rating from a reputable publication like Morningstar.

If you want to make a bet on the growth of America, buy an S&P 500 index fund. For a little extra diversity, maybe research an international or emerging markets fund and put some money there. As long as you stay away from French companies, you should be fine.Seneca Spade learned about the wonders of diversification after losing way too much money on a hand of blackjack. He is an investment specialist and contibuting editor for whatbubble.com.

If you would like to post your own comments, have any financial questions answered by an expert for free, or would like to read more on this subject please visit http://www.whatbubble.com, If you wish to re-publish this article, we request you retain all links and copy including this bio.

Retirement: Is It A Career Change Option?

Retirement: Is It A Career Change Option?


Retirement might be the answer when you ask yourself "why do I want to make a career change" and you decide that what you actually want is not so much a career change as to stop what you’ve been doing altogether.This may be a good choice for some – those who can afford it – but not necessarily the right choice for all. Of course retirement doesn’t have to mean doing nothing at all, in fact with longer life-expectation, that probably isn’t an option for many of us.For most people considering retirement, or early retirement, the main concern is money. Some of you will have no worries, you’ve planned for it, and you’ve invested your savings and budgeted ahead. But even with the best savings rates, it won’t be like that for the majority, especially with what’s happening to pension funds every day.

However, far from thinking of putting your feet up, you might think about other ways to supplement your investments or pension. But first ask yourself what is your reason and motive for wanting to work, because this will affect whatever decision you make.Perhaps it's about supplementing your personal pension income, or about companionship? Is it about the need for mental stimulation or to have a sense of purpose? Perhaps you’re concerned that without a job you lose a large part of your identity? You want to protect the value of your savings and investments?The answer is probably a combination of these factors, so use the career change guidance throughout my web-site to establish your priorities and avoid drifting into something that won’t satisfy you.

If you need to get out of the house and make new friends then don’t choose a solitary job working from home.Of course some people know exactly what they are going to do; it’s all pre-planned or has been worked out with guidance similar to this.If you’re taking early retirement, why not ask your employer if they could continue to use your skill and knowledge as a consultant - you can do this either as self-employed or as an employee of your own small business.Running a small business can be one of the most satisfying retirement occupations, and there are thousands of success stories of those who took the plunge at 55-plus.

These people have built businesses that provide involvement, fun and income plus creating something of value to pass on to the children or grandchildren.If you have a skill or specialist knowledge to offer, the drive to do something with it, the time to invest and the health to support your ambition, then you have the basis of abusiness that can bring real retirement benefits, allow you to make the most of your investment income, and above all continuing career satisfaction.You probably haven’t given it much thought but you could build an online business based upon what you know. You’ve amassed a great deal of knowledge from your work experience, your hobbies, passions, or past-times.

Take a look at my web-site now; this all comes from my specialist knowledge and a set of tools called Site Build It that removes any need for technical knowledge – you could do it too, and if you like I’ll show you how.With his background of over 25 years running businesses, and as a Career Coach and Consultant in many sectors, Peter Fisher is well placed to guide job seekers through the steps needed in order to achieve that all important new position.He has personally coached thousands of individuals to career success.

He writes a distillation of these years of experience with all the essential facts and actions you must complete in order to achieve your own success. He is very clear that you shouldn’t be misled by others into thinking of “acing interviews” or “finessing” your way into a business; the most sustainable and fulfilling roles are gained through understanding your own specific needs and creating your strategy accordingly.You can learn more about his dynamic and comprehensive approach to career change, with every page dedicated to helping serious career changers if you go to http://www.your-career-change.com/index.htmlIf you are attracted to the idea of trying an on-line business read this page first http://www.your-career-change.com/Retirement.html