With tens of millions of Americans depending on the 401K, “The Smartest 401K Book You’ll Ever Read” can help beginners or those who need to increase their knowledge of their 401K plans. With the 4-O-1 (with or without employer matching), the US worker today is on his/her own to understand, manage, and shift asset allocation as efficiently as possible. The 401 is littered with numerous problems that are a disadvantage to the worker. Part of this is because of the lack of Congressional laws. The investment industry is comprised of leeches that feed off of your investments throughout your 40+ years of work.

Author Dan Solin provides helpful and necessary information for those who are currently in a 401, who will be, and also those who’ll be switching jobs. After leaving an employer there are a multitude of options of where to put your 401K money. Solin does note the latent gimmicks and tricks that take your hard-earned money in hidden fees.

Ten of millions of Americans are now relying on Defined Contribution Plans (401Ks) as Defined Benefit Pension plans (Pensions) are now nearly extinct. How much of your 401K will go toward your medical and pharmaceutical drug costs when you’re old? Will the old rule of withdrawing 4% of your principle without eating into the principle be enough for you to live off of? Tax-deferred means - deferred - not tax free. Will Congress change the rules on taxes, again and again, as they so often have? What will the average rate of return per annum be? What will the average rate of inflation be? We must make a variety assumptions and calculations.

Solin’s advice and info is critical because those with 401Ks are statistically putting all of their eggs into 1 Financial Market Basket. This, is 1 basket contrary to what is often advocated: “diversify.” You’re in mutual funds with an allocation of stock, bonds, and money markets, and yes you can diversify, but within your limited plan provided to your by your employer and fiduciary. Solin wisely promotes rolling over 401K retirement money in IRAs for more control and more choices. And this, can only be done, when an employee leaves a company. Is the solution to resign from a company - quit your job say, every 5 years, just to roll over your 401K? Obviously, not. (The Roth 401K was enacted in January, 2006.)

In addition to the 401K, non tax-deferred Index Funds provide the freedom of withdraw and movement with out penalty, limitations, age restrictions, and index funds also have low tax rates as there is less churning. In addition to this book by Solin, “The Great 401K Hoax” is worthy of a read. “The Smartest 401K Book You’ll Ever Read” is an informative and important book by Dan Solin. Heavily recommended.