First the Disclaimer: This is a thought-provoking article
that draws upon real world examples, articles, books and
websites that are readily available to the public. This
article is not intended to offer investment advice. Any
actions that you take in the market place should be the
result of your own financial education and consultation
with a licensed professional. Financial calculations were
accomplished using the savings goal calculator found at
Bankrate.com unless otherwise indicated.
When I entered the work force, I was offered a retirement
plan, actually I was offered two. My employer was
transitioning out of defined benefit plans, i.e. pensions
and opting into defined contribution plans, i.e. 401ks.
Because I was hired during the transition I was given a
choice. I could not see working for any employer for 20
years and since the pension as I understood it was all or
none, I opted for the 401K. Little did I know, I became
part of a phenomenon initiated by the Federal Government in
1974 when it enacted the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA).
ERISA was created in the wake of the failure of the
Studebaker Corporation in 1963. When Studebaker failed it
left a pension that was so badly funded it could not
provide benefits for all of its employees. ERISA did two
things:
1) It provided regulation of any existing and future
pension plans;
2) It provided government insurance of those pension plans
in the form of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
ERISA also did something else, it virtually guaranteed a
shift away from corporate-sponsored pensions and toward
employee-sponsored savings plans. The 401K, intended to be
a tax-advantaged benefit to corporate executives, has
become the major savings vehicle for retirement for the
average worker in America.
Let's look at that statement. The 401K, intended to be a
portable, tax-advantaged benefit to corporate executives,
people whose income is generally north of six figures, has
become the major savings vehicle for the average American
worker, people whose median income is $46,326. ( This
figure for median income comes from the US Census and the
General Accounting Office.)
Assume the average retiree will need cash assets of one
million dollars. One million dollars invested at 5% will
earn an income of $50,000 per year without having to draw
down the principle. This goal of one million dollars
assumes the $300,000 to $500,000 dollars retirees will have
to have set aside to cover health care costs. (CNNMonday
February 19, 2008 "Most Americans Unprepared for
Retirement") Even if a worker earning the median income
only desires to live on sixty percent of his or her working
income, he would still have to save $555,912 invested at 5%
to earn an income of $27,796. Add in the amount needed for
health care and the goal is still one million dollars. The
Savings goal calculator at bankrate.com shows that even if
a worker earning the median income managed to save $10,000
per year or 21.6% of his gross income, it would take 100
years to reach the estimated million-dollar target needed
for a comfortable retirement. In other words this retiree
will die of old age while trying to save for retirement.
Using bonds or a "high-yield" savings account with an
annual percentage yield of 3.6% will put the average
American worker within reach in 77 years 11 months almost
beyond the average American's lifespan. He would still
die of old age while trying to save for retirement. Add a
50% employer match and the goal is reached in 34 years and
3 months. Well within the estimated forty year working life
of the American worker. But an employer match of 50% is
virtually unheard of. A true 50% match of 50 cents per
employee dollar invested does not exist. The
401Khelpcenter reviews the common matching plans available
to people who save through their 401Ks.
Because amassing the funds necessary for a comfortable
retirement is virtually impossible through savings alone,
employees must seek vehicles capable of higher returns in
order to reach their retirement goals.
In steps the Stock Market.
Please see part 2 for the complete article.
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Ouida Vincent is an active real estate investor and
entrepreneur who has watched her friends and family members
struggle under the burden of home ownership and poor
returns in today's market. She is launching
http://www.freeagentnationonline.com to promote financial
education and entrepreneurism.