Author: Deborah Goldman

Life insurance vs. a 401(k): Pros and cons

Life insurance vs. a 401(k): Pros and cons

The countless choices can be mind boggling while researching your retirement investing options. However, there are certain decisions that should not be either/or. Why do you need life insurance? Life insurance pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries if you should...
Pension plans vs. 401(k)s: Which is better?

Pension plans vs. 401(k)s: Which is better?

Both pension plans and 401(k) plans are employer-sponsored retirement plans, but there the similarities end. The two plans have different risk levels, investment opportunities, and employee/employer contribution levels.  What is a pension plan? A pension plan is...
How does your pension plan affect retirement?

How does your pension plan affect retirement?

What is a pension? It’s a question few workers would have asked a generation ago, when pensions were the most common type of retirement plan. Today, pensions have largely been replaced by the 401(k). Only 22 percent of Americans have pension plans, with the majority...
Which is better? SIMPLE IRA vs. SIMPLE 401(k)

Which is better? SIMPLE IRA vs. SIMPLE 401(k)

SIMPLE plans help small businesses provide retirement plans to their employees while also offering a way for the self-employed to take advantage of the tax benefits of employer-sponsored retirement plans. What does SIMPLE stand for? SIMPLE stands for “savings...
Which is better? Traditional IRAs vs. Roth IRAs

Which is better? Traditional IRAs vs. Roth IRAs

When you invest in an IRA, you have two choices — a traditional vs. a Roth IRA. The two plans grow funds in much the same way, with one noticeable difference: How your contributions and withdrawals are taxed. Here’s a quick explanation of the differences: What is a...