The Biggest Investment Mistake You Can Make: Not Using Your Retirement Plan

January 18, 2017

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David Bach is one of America’s most prolific and bestselling financial authors of our time who has helped millions around the world learn how to live and finish rich through his books, seminars, television appearances.
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Getting rich can be straightforward. Mostly, it requires making smart choices, like committing to paying yourself first and setting aside at least 10% of your pretax income in a retirement account, says financial adviser and self-made millionaire David Bach.

“With this in mind, it shouldn’t be hard to figure out the single biggest investment mistake you can make: Not using your [retirement] plan and not maxing it out,” Bach writes in “The Automatic Millionaire.”

The good news is, it’s easy to fund a retirement plan.

If your company offers a 401(k) plan, start there. You’ll get large tax advantages, the money is automatically taken from your paychecks before you have the chance to spend it, and sometimes your employer will match your contributions up to a certain amount, which is essentially free money. The maximum amount you can contribute to a 401(k) in 2017 is $18,000 a year, or $24,000 if you’re 50 or older.

If your company doesn’t offer a 401(k), you can fund a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or myRA, which all offer tax breaks and are designed specifically for retirement.

With a traditional IRA, you contribute pre-tax dollars — up to $5,500 a year, or $6,500 if you’re 50 or older — and pay taxes on your contributions and earnings when you withdraw the money.

With a Roth IRA, contributions are taxed when they’re made, so you get to withdraw the contributions and earnings tax-free. The same contribution limit applies ($5,500 a year, or $6,500 if you’re 50 or older) and there’s an income cap: If you’re single, you have to make less than $117,000 to fund a Roth and if you’re married, you have to make less than $184,000.

Finally, myRA, or “my retirement account,” is a relatively new retirement savings plan launched by the U.S. government. Like a Roth, you contribute after-tax earnings that can be withdrawn tax-free. The income cap is $132,000 is you’re single or $194,000 if you’re married and filing jointly, and you can contribute up to $5,500 a year, or $6,500 if you’re 50 or older.

The biggest limitation is that, once you have $15,000 in your myRA, you have to roll the balance over into a regular, private IRA.

Whatever retirement savings account you choose, the most important step is to open one and start setting aside as much as possible, preferably 10% or more of your pre-tax income, Bach says. Then, make your contributions automatic, by getting your employer to do a payroll deduction or by having your money sent from your checking account to your IRA.

Finally, aim to max out your plan. If you can’t max it out yet, get in the habit of increasing your contribution on a consistent basis.

Most importantly, start today, if you haven’t already begun, Bach says: “Maximize your retirement contribution now. Take just this one action and you will have changed your financial future for the better — guaranteed.”

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Hey there, I’m David.

Thank you. Over the past 30 years, I've had the privilege of reaching over 100 million people through my books, podcast, and media appearances. I've written 12 national bestsellers including The Automatic Millionaire®, Smart Women Finish Rich®, and The Latte Factor—with over 7 million copies sold in more than 20 languages. 

I've been honored to appear on NBC's Today Show over 100 times and have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Fox News, CNBC, and more. My work has been profiled in The New York Times, Forbes, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal. 

What has always driven me and still does is this: I want to help you live and finish rich. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make smarter financial choices, I'm here to guide you with real conversations and proven strategies.

At seven, my grandma handed me a stock certificate instead of a Happy Meal. That moment sparked my lifelong mission: to help you take control of your money and build lasting wealth.

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Bach Wisdom & Sixteen Timeless Truths

These truths have come from over 30 years of learning. Mostly from experience and also mentors. Feel free to pass them along.