#401k

Retirement balances fell in the first quarter of 2026 amid severe market volatility sparked by the Iran war, according to a new report by Fidelity.

Retirement balances fell in the first quarter of 2026 amid severe market volatility sparked by the Iran war, according to a new report by Fidelity.

At the same time, more savers tapped their accounts for cash out of financial necessity.

A new report from Fidelity shows more Americans are withdrawing from their 401(k)s prematurely. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O’Grady joins with analysis. Source link

This shouldn't even be a proposal. 

Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives Comments are due 06/01/2026 at 11:59 pm EST  This document contains a proposed regulation that clarifies, and provides a safe harbor for, a fiduciary's duty of prudence under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in connection with selecting designated investment alternatives for a participant-directed individual account plan, including asset allocation funds that include alternative assets. This proposal implements section 3(c) of President Trump's Executive Order 14330, Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors.

You do not need to provide a very detailed comment to register opposition. 

Private equity is coming for your 401k: “It’s not going to end well” More Perfect Union May 26, 2026

If you agree with the More Perfect Union video concerns, you can just say something along the lines of: 

"I'm against having alternative asset access to 401ks, they need to be protected from cryptocurrency and private equity speculation."

Wondering if your retirement savings are keeping up with your peers? Do not look at the "average" 401(k) balance—a few wealthy outliers pull that number artificially high.

To see where most Americans actually stand in 2026, you need to look at the median balances:

20s: $34,000

30s: $74,000

40s: $154,000

50s: $253,000

60s: $211,000

A standard guideline is to have 3x your salary saved by age 40, and 6x by age 50. If your numbers are lower than the median, the fastest way to catch up is to increase your contribution rate just enough to capture your full employer match.

See exactly how to close the gap and adjust your strategy here:

If you work in the public sector or for a non-profit, you likely have a 403(b) instead of a 401(k) for your retirement savings. While they function very similarly—both offer tax-deferred growth and pre-tax payroll deductions—there are a few critical differences every public servant should understand:

Who is Eligible: 401(k)s are strictly for private, for-profit companies. 403(b)s are designed for public schools, hospitals, churches, and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profits.

Contribution Limits: Good news—the limits are exactly the same. Both plans allow up to $24,500 in employee deferrals in 2026, plus an $8,000 catch-up contribution if you are 50 or older.

The 15-Year Rule: 403(b)s have a unique loyalty perk. If you have worked for the same organization for 15+ years, you may be eligible to contribute an extra $3,000 annually (up to a $15,000 lifetime limit), regardless of your age.

Employer Matching: While both plans allow for employer matches, they are far more common in 401(k) plans. If a 403(b) offers a match, it usually triggers strict ERISA regulations, which many non-profits try to avoid to keep administrative costs low.

Investment Options: 401(k)s typically offer a wide range of mutual funds, stocks, and bonds. Historically, 403(b)s leaned heavily toward annuities, though many modern plans now offer solid mutual fund choices as well. Beware of fees: 403(b)s utilizing annuities can sometimes carry higher administrative and management fees than a standard 401(k).

While you rarely get to choose which plan you are offered (it depends entirely on your employer), understanding your plan's specific rules, fees, and matching structure is crucial to building a secure retirement.

Find out exactly how to maximize your public servant retirement plan and check your fee structures here: https://retirelens.com/blogs/403b-vs-401k-understanding-the-differences-for-public-servants

Pensions used to guarantee retirement income for life, but today, only 14% of private-sector workers still have one.

The Basics: A pension is a guaranteed monthly payout from your employer for life. Your employer takes 100% of the investment risk.

Who still gets them: Mostly government employees (78%) and union workers (67%).

The 401(k) Shift: Most private employers replaced pensions with 401(k)s, shifting the burden of saving and investing entirely onto you.

Check if you have an old pension waiting for you and learn how to replace that income if you don't: