https://www.fool.com/retirement/2020/01/22/the-top-12-401k-mistakes-to-avoid.aspxThe Top 12 401(k) Mistakes to Avoid
An employer-sponsored 401(k) account can be a wonderful thing, helping you amass hundreds of thousands of dollars for retirement. Don't make any of these mistakes, though, or they could cost you -- a lot.
Most people can't sock away $26,000 each year, but the table below shows how much you might amass over time investing various sums regularly and earning an average annual return of 8%:
Years of 8% Annual Growth
Balance if Investing $10,000/Year
Balance if Investing $15,000/Year
Balance if Investing $20,000/Year
5 years
$63,359
$95,039
$126,718
10 years
$156,455
$234,683
$312,910
15 years
$293,243
$439,865
$586,486
20 years
$494,229
$741,344
$988,458
25 years
$789,544
$1,184,316
$1,579,088
30 years
$1,223,459
$1,835,189
$2,446,918
401(k) mistakes that can cost you a lot
It's clear that you'll need to be diligent if you want to build wealth with your 401(k) account. You'll also want to avoid common pitfalls. Here are 12 common 401(k) mistakes that could cost you a lot, followed by a closer look at each:
Not participating in your 401(k) plan
Not contributing enough to your 401(k)
Not increasing your 401(k) contributions regularly
Not contributing enough to get the full employer 401(k) match
Loading up on too much company stock
Staying with your 401(k) plan's default investment choices
Picking the wrong mutual funds and investments
Ignoring fees in your 401(k)
Not considering the Roth 401(k)
Ignoring important 401(k) rules
Cashing out or borrowing from your 401(k)
Not appreciating the downsides of 401(k)s
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