It’s fun to talk about “risk” and “return” because these are measurables and people are comfortable with the tangible world. But none of that touches upon what really matters. Worse, it can distract you from achieving what you want most.
Education
Reports say the DOL expects 3,200 registered PPPs when PEPs become effective next January. Do you expect to be one of them, or will you be working for someone else?
It’s not as if this “surprisingly secret” formula has run its course. The equation is so timeless, so simple, that it continues to work for those who have the disciple to follow its rules. Still, can today’s workers see this work for them?
Nonetheless, there is a way to short-circuit this time-frame. You can do it, but you’ve got to really want to do it.
Perhaps the first option to focus on is that one that involves “paying back” or “not paying back.” The rules, while straightforward to financial professionals, may be less apparent to retirement savers.
One of the biggest risks inherent in MEPs/PEPs is coordinating all of the many moving pieces. Here’s why people might be wrong to think they know enough about assembling a 401k MEP/PEP and regulatory compliance only heightens the potential liability.
Today, directly or indirectly (“back door”), every wage earner can contribute to a Roth IRA. So, to benefit your (great)(grand)child through “long term investing”, you might consider funding a Roth IRA and/or Roth 401k.
If plan sponsors want to alleviate retirement angst among plan participants, they need to ensure they provide full transparency regarding factors that extend beyond the plan. Plan sponsors have an obligation to explain their retirement benefits within the context of these outside factors.
Ultimately, if you want to protect yourself and others from making simple mistakes, you must embrace the sin that first birthed those missteps.
The good news is 401k plan sponsors don’t need to treat this as a solo act. They’ve already got a team of hired hands to help them.
