Am I supposed to leave my 401k alone or is there something ...

[ImayBblack]

I work for Alcon Labs in Fort Worth, they actually put in 5% of our salary into our 401k automatically, then match employee contributions dollar for dollar up to 15%.

I'm not sure on job openings, but this is our job posting site: https://careers.alcon.com/joblist.html

You have any pull there? I applied for a couple of jobs recently. Sure could use a good reference, or someone to pass my resume along on the inside.

[Kenny_Stang]

You have any pull there? I applied for a couple of jobs recently. Sure could use a good reference, or someone to pass my resume along on the inside.

I have some pull in IT, but not outside of that. What jobs did you apply for? I'll send you a PM with my work e-mail if you want to send me your resume.

[IHaveAMustang]

I have some pull in IT, but not outside of that.

I applied for several Systems Specialist positions that were posted (but now pulled)

My Dad used to work for Alcon then went to Abbott Labs. I have been trying to get into Alcon for a while now.

I'm stuck in Duncanville as not a single response has come from any of the Federal jobs I have applied for. I think I broke the 30 mark on IT job apps.

[Kenny_Stang]

I applied for several Systems Specialist positions that were posted (but now pulled)

My Dad used to work for Alcon then went to Abbott Labs. I have been trying to get into Alcon for a while now.

I'm stuck in Duncanville as not a single response has come from any of the Federal jobs I have applied for. I think I broke the 30 mark on IT job apps.

I replied to your PM. If you can give me some background on what your experience is, I can let you know if something comes up that might fit.

[Doug Hatton]

I wish my company had a decent match.... 50% up to 3% of your pay! GAY!

[ImayBblack]

I applied for several Systems Specialist positions that were posted (but now pulled)

My Dad used to work for Alcon then went to Abbott Labs. I have been trying to get into Alcon for a while now.

I'm stuck in Duncanville as not a single response has come from any of the Federal jobs I have applied for. I think I broke the 30 mark on IT job apps.

LOL i think i have applied to over a 1000 different places in the last three months. I have had two interviews and they were with staffing agencies. I'm thankful I still have a job, because it sucks out there.

My employer matches 100% up to 6%.

[stephen4785]

Holy crap! Where do y'all work and are there openings?!?! My company only does $0.50 on the dollar up to 6%. They used to do $1:$1 up to 6%, but changed that a year ago.

If you're "young", max it out and IMO, go aggressive funds. As you get closer to retirement, move it to conservative fund and bonds. You have time on your side for the huge swings. Average ROI is 10% on aggressive funds, conservative funds is 5% or less. Also, if your contributions are maxed out for the year, when they refund you, roll that into a Roth-IRA. You already have gone without that cash, might as well put it into another retirement fund.

My $0.02

Chesapeake Energy

[stephen4785]

Pay Slow99 to set it up. You need to allocate your cash into funds that'll match your retirement plans.

I think he's pretty busy with his new job and the move out to CA. I dont want to bug him. If I ever come into a large sum of money(win the lottery that I never play) he's the first one Im gonna call. I think he'd gladly manage a large sum of money for 10-15%.

[TX_92_Notch]

401k is a great first investment - I wouldn't mess with transferring money out of there into other 'buckets' as my financial guy calls it.

It's tax-free going in and you don't pay taxes on the money until you take it out, presumably after you've retired and you're in a much lower tax bracket as you've got virtually no income.

I max my 401k every year - my company doesn't continue to take money out once you've reached the maximum contribution, so no worries about losing that money until Uncle Sam sends it back to you...

And yeah, the stock market crash really kicked my ass, but the rebound has been great. I lost well over half of my 401k in the crash, but now I'm past the balance before the crash and it's still climbing. I never stopped making contributions though - buy low!

[SVT Lurch]

My 401(k) is up 22% from the beginning of the year. I just took the recommended allocation based on age and poof - I'm "rich".

Chesapeake Energy

They've got great programs for employees from what I've seen/heard. We've done loans for a lot of employees there and they all have similar financial profiles so I'm inclined to say the company has a lot to do with it. I'd be in it for the long haul with them if I were you.

[The King]

401k is a great first investment - I wouldn't mess with transferring money out of there into other 'buckets' as my financial guy calls it.

It's tax-free going in and you don't pay taxes on the money until you take it out, presumably after you've retired and you're in a much lower tax bracket as you've got virtually no income.

I max my 401k every year - my company doesn't continue to take money out once you've reached the maximum contribution, so no worries about losing that money until Uncle Sam sends it back to you...

And yeah, the stock market crash really kicked my ass, but the rebound has been great. I lost well over half of my 401k in the crash, but now I'm past the balance before the crash and it's still climbing. I never stopped making contributions though - buy low!

No one is advising that he transfer money out of his 401K, but he could redistribute the money in there into more aggresive investments if he has the option to do so and he so chooses.

[Zfan]

The only thing our company gives for free is a kick in the ass!

[ImayBblack]

Chesapeake Energy

What do you do there?

[TX_92_Notch]

No one is advising that he transfer money out of his 401K, but he could redistribute the money in there into more aggresive investments if he has the option to do so and he so chooses.

I see, and I agree. My provider (Merrill Lynch) has risk levels for their 401k; I've got mine in the most aggressive considering I'm relatively young (33) and can stand a little volatility for a chance at potentially higher returns.

[The King]

I see, and I agree. My provider (Merrill Lynch) has risk levels for their 401k; I've got mine in the most aggressive considering I'm relatively young (33) and can stand a little volatility for a chance at potentially higher returns.

And it worked....good choice.

Some people now are investing in Roth IRAs on the presumption that tax rates may be higher when they retire. Given the current deficit, that's entirely possible. I would still invest in a 401K first though, at least enough to get the maximum employer match.