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Retirement Planning

• Overview
• About retirement plans
  • 401(k)s and other plans
  • Why participate?
  • Another plan option: Roth 401(k)/403(b)
  • Three steps
  • Starting early
  • Ease into investing »
  • Playing catch-up
  • What will your retirement look like?
  • Don’t forget your beneficiaries
  • Access your money in an emergency
• Develop an investment strategy
• Changing needs
• Life stages
• Other references

Calculators

• Investing calculator
• Payroll deduction analyzer
• Tax-deferred investment calculator

Related info

• Rollovers
• Taking distributions

Ease into investing

You don’t have to take an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to saving. These ideas can get you started:

1. Start saving today to take advantage of the opportunity for compounding. It’s OK if it’s a small amount. In fact, over time more of your account value could come from compound earnings than from your original contributions.
2. Look at your budget to see where you can make changes to free up more money to contribute to your plan.
3. Increase your contributions each time you get a raise.

Use the interactive chart below to see how starting today compares to waiting 3 and 10 years.

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Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the American Funds. This and other important information is contained in each fund’s prospectus and/or summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your plan’s financial professional or downloaded and should be read carefully before investing.