401(k)s

A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored plan that's funded by employee contributions that are deducted directly from the employee's paycheck. Many companies match contributions up to a certain percentage. Most employee contributions are pretax and grow tax-deferred until withdrawn, but after-tax contributions are also allowed.

One of the first considerations is how much money to contribute. Generally speaking, you should contribute as much as you can. You don't want to leave yourself cash-strapped, but you also don't want to squander the opportunity to make pretax, tax-deferred contributions and get a company match. Whether your company match is dollar-for-dollar or something smaller, don't pass up free money.

For 2004, the maximum pretax annual contribution an employee may make is $13,000 ($15,000 if you're 50 or older.) Pretax limits increase by $1,000 per year through 2006.

Employees are responsible for their 401(k) investment decisions. Most plans have an array of mutual funds to choose from, but too often there is little guidance as to proper asset allocation and the role fees and expenses play in overall returns.

Before you can decide how to allocate your contributions, you have to determine your risk tolerance. How much volatility within the portfolio can you stand?

If you're in your 20s or early 30s you can afford to be more aggressive with your investments because you have more time to recover from slumps in the stock market. As you age your asset allocation should shift to more conservative investments to protect the earnings.

Many 401(k) plans offer tools (online calculators, work sheets) for determining risk tolerance, but the best tool may be a competent financial planner. It may be worth hiring a planner to listen to your financial goals and evaluate your assets and earning ability to help you craft an allocation plan that will ensure a comfortable retirement.

Most 401(k) plans allow you to borrow up to 50 percent of your vested balance, but not more than $50,000. In most cases, you have to repay the money with interest within five years. The interest payments go into your account, but there are downsides.

The money you withdraw for the loan is no longer invested and, therefore, isn't appreciating. Also, the original contributions to the account were made with pretax dollars, but the loan payments will be made with after-tax dollars.

Unless your company has an outstanding 401(k) plan, you should consider taking the account with you if you leave the company. If you're going to another company, you may be able to roll it over into the new company's plan. If not, you can roll your 401(k) into an IRA at a brokerage. This gives you more control over your account and, in most cases, you'll have much better investment options at a brokerage.

Just make sure you follow the proper procedures. The plan sponsor or the human resources department will assist you in transferring the money. You don't want to accidentally cash out your retirement plan and get stuck paying taxes and penalties for early withdrawal.

If you're an entrepreneur trying to maximize your retirement savings, consider opening an individual 401(k).

A 401(k) plan used to be only for someone who worked for a corporation, but no more. Owners of very small businesses now can open 401(k)s and shelter thousands more dollars than they could have in other kinds of self-employment retirement accounts.

The plans, often called individual or solo 401(k)s, are available to businesses that have no other employees beyond an owner and a spouse, although some partnerships can qualify. That means sole proprietors, owners of mom-and-pop companies, even people who work for someone else but have a side business, can open one.