An all-you-need-to-know introduction to the employer-sponsoredretirement plan that has revolutionized the way we save * Smart Ways to save with automatic payroll deductions and pretaxcontributions that let you earn more money and pay less taxes NOWand when you retire * Smart Advice on how much to contribute and what you need to knowabout your investment options, including advice on stocks, mutualfunds, and bonds * Smart Insights into retirement alternatives with the traditionalIRA and the new Roth IRA * Smart Tips on borrowing and withdrawing money from your 401(k)and IRA to buy a home or pay for college * Quick reading and easy referencing with a comprehensive index andloads of sidebars and tables Smart Guides take readers seriously. They satisfy even the mostcurious person's desire to know the essentials about any of a widerange of topics--from vitamins to mutual funds to stress relief.It's all about good reading and expert information. The choice isyours.

This book will change the way you think about and invest in your retirement savings plan-forever. Internationally bestselling author and consumer advocate Dan Solin challenges some basic and misguided assumptions about traditional retirement plans to reveal that: ? 401(k) and 403(b) plans are laden with Porky Pig fees, poor investment choices, and conflicts of interest. You may be better off just saying "No!" ? There is a simple way to make smart choices in these plans- and this book shows you exactly what to do and which funds to avoid. ? There is one investment that could be the key to a successful retirement plan. You can do it yourself, with pre-tax or after-tax money. Create your own, inflation-proof pension plan that is guaranteed to provide you with monthly income for as long as you live, and beyond! Smart Investing is not complicated. You have the power to make meaningful changes to your retirement savings plan-no matter what your age or financial status. "If you haven't taken a recent look at what your own retirement investments are doing and-perhaps even more important-how they are put together, reading Solin's smart little book might provide the impetus for action." -Miami Herald

Many people mistakenly believe that Social Security (SS) will pay for all or most of their retire. needs, but the fact is, since its inception, SS has provided little protection. A comfortable retire. usually requires SS, pensions, personal savings & invest. The key tool for making a secure retire. a reality is financial planning. It will help clarify your retire. goals as well as other financial goals you want to ¿buy¿ along the way. It will show you how to manage your money so you can afford today¿s needs yet still fund tomorrow¿s. You¿ll learn how to save your money to make it work for you & how to protect it so it will be there when you need it. Explains how you can take the best advantage of retire. plans at work, & what to do if you¿re on your own. Illustrations.

“A guide for planning that rich season of life, based not just on money, but also on how to create meaningful relationships, memories, and legacy.” —Dan Miller, author of 48 Days to the Work You Love Rock Retirement offers inspirational advice on how to enjoy the journey to retirement to its fullest. Traditional retirement advice usually boils down to saving more, sacrificing more, and settling for less. This approach makes people dependent on systems outside their control, such as the market, economy, and investment returns. The result: people lose power over determining their life. What sets Rock Retirement apart is its holistic approach to helping people take back control and act intentionally towards the life they want. It addresses the fears, hopes, and dreams that people have about retirement, goes way beyond the numbers, and shows them how to balance living well today and tomorrow. “Too many books think retirement is just about finances. Instead, retirement is about looking at life in full and working out what it is you want to do and then turning to finances to make it happen. That’s exactly the focus of the practical and helpful guide.” —Andrew Scott, coauthor of The 100-Year Life “Roger Whitney lays out a plan for today’s modern retiree. If you are exhausted with being fed that retirement is the end game of life, then Roger’s book is a must-read!” —Darryl W. Lyons, author of 18 to 80 “If you’re dreaming of a retirement free of worry, chao and confusion, Rock Retirement will give you the clarity, a solid plan and fresh inspiration to help you get where you want to go.” —Jevonnah “Lady J” Ellison, author of Love Letters for Leading Ladies

Get the most out of your 401(k) in any economy Filled with sample 401(k) portfolios for every stage of life Invest your 401(k) money wisely and make the most of your retirement Want to know what kind of investment mix you need to make your retirement money grow? Don't know what to do with a 401(k) account from your last job? Worried that your company's 401(k) plan doesn't cut it? Relax! This simple, plain-English guide shows you how to manage your accounts, minimize your risks, and maximize your returns. The Dummies Way * Explanations in plain English * "Get in, get out" information * Icons and other navigational aids * Tear-out cheat sheet * Top ten lists * A dash of humor and fun

An all-you-need-to-know introduction to ensuring that your wealth and wishes are protected and preserved for family and loved ones Smart Ways to determine what you are worth with a smart and easy step-by-step process Smart Advice on life insurance, power of attorney for health care and finances, long-term care insurance, and appointing a personal guardian for your children Smart Strategies on avoiding probate and how trusts can help you and your loved ones avoid costly legal fees and devastating estate taxes Smart Tips on what you should know when creating a will, deciding on a living will, and taking a hand in planning your funeral Quick reading and easy referencing with a comprehensive index and loads of sidebars and tables Smart Guides take readers seriously. They satisfy even the most curious person's desire to know the essentials about any of a wide range of topics—from vitamins to mutual funds to stress relief. It's all about good reading and expert information. The choice is yours.

What does a woman want to do when she retires? Travel? Pursue hobbies? Spend time with friends and family? We all have dreams about what those days will be like. But when it comes to turning those dreams into reality, women's retirement confidence and know-how is low. According to a 2012 survey, 92 percent of women of all ages in this country don't feel they're educated enough to reach their retirement savings goals. For the woman who doesn't know where to start or would like a knowledgeable guide who speaks her language, financial expert Mary Hunt offers a comprehensive but approachable resource for saving and planning for retirement. Whether she feels entitled to retire at age 65, hopes she'll be able to stop working someday, or is convinced she'll never be able to retire, every woman will find real help in these pages. With her signature no-nonsense, energetic style, Hunt assures women that it's only too late if they don't start now. She clearly covers every aspect of retirement planning during every season of a woman's life, giving women the confidence they need to shape their futures.