What is a 401(k) and, more importantly, why should you care? Since this type of investment account first arrived on the retirement planning scene almost four decades ago, it's grown into the most used employer-sponsored retirement plan in the country. More than 52 million Americans have 401(k) accounts, together holding $4.8 trillion in assets as of 2016, according to research from the Investment Company Institute.  

These flexible plans can make saving for retirement easier. Read on to learn what our 401(k) advisors think everyone should know about 401(k) plans. 

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Our wealth advisors often answer questions about Social Security and how it fits into a comprehensive wealth management strategy, especially for those in higher tax brackets. Even if the bulk of your income comes from other sources in retirement, Social Security can help make your retirement more comfortable and help you grow assets to leave to your beneficiaries.  

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While playing nine holes of golf with a friend the other day, the conversation turned to retirement and, specifically, what retirement looks like now as opposed to when our parents retired. Much has changed in the last generation or two; pensions have largely disappeared, the future of Social Security is a matter of debate and the costs of healthcare seem to just keep rising.

However, the news isn't all bad! Along with an increased life expectancy for most Americans, physical activity is on the rise

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The other day, I was enjoying a game of golf with a friend who happens to be a long-time retirement plan advisor. As it often does, the conversation turned to retirement; specifically, where the key to a happy, comfortable retirement really lies.

My golf buddy's answer? It's probably not what you think.

My friend believes that the secret ingredient to a successful retirement lies in patience -- and the secret to patience lies in the ability to delay gratification, which, needless to say, isn't exactly a hard-wired human trait. 

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As pensions go extinct, more Americans turn to individual retirement accounts to prepare for their golden years. One of the most popular is the 401(k), an employer-sponsored plan that allows workers to save a percentage of pre-tax dollars from paychecks. 

As of 2014, 401(k) plans were the most popular type of retirement savings, representing about 18 percent of the retirement plan holdings in the U.S., according to the ICI.  But while 89 percent of workers at large companies (500+ employees) have access to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, only 45 percent of businesses with <100 employees offer 401(k) plans, and only 16 percent of business with <10 employees offer 401(k)s. Overall, that translates into only about half of Americans with access to workplace retirement plans.

Here's how small businesses can benefit from offering 401(k) plans to their employees. 

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If you're like most Americans, you know you need to save more for retirement... but you may not be sure exactly how to go about it. It's a common issue; in fact, a study from the National Institute on Retirement Security found that the median retirement account balance for all households of working age is just $3,000. Of these, 45 percent don't have any retirement savings at all.

Regardless of where your own retirement readiness may fall on the spectrum, you can still reap the benefits by shoring up your nest egg and bulking up your retirement savings efforts. 

Here are 10 ways to give your nest egg a boost.

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Our clients often have questions about the success rates of "Aggressive" versus "Passive" investing. Some investors feel that those who use the services of a highly active investment firm tend to earn higher returns. Is this true?

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Is your 401(k) in good shape? Is it properly allocated? Does your plan mitigate your tax burden? Do you have the right blend of growth and income?

For many investors, a 401(k) retirement plan is easy to simply set and forget. It's not difficult to see why; managing a 401(k) plan with the proper knowledge or time can be intimidating. However, your retirement depends on this important account's performance, so it's important to maximize your 401(k)'s potential for returns. 

Read on to discover 9 ways to strengthen your 401(k).

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