An individual retirement arrangement (IRA) is a personal savings plan that offers specific tax benefits. IRAs are one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available to you. Even if you’re contributing to a 401(k) or other plan at work, you should also consider investing in an IRA.

What types of IRAs are available?

The two major types of IRAs are traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. Both allow you to contribute as much as $5,000 in 2008 ($4,000 in 2007). You must have at least as much taxable compensation as the amount of your IRA contribution. But if you are married filing jointly, your spouse can also contribute to an IRA, even if he or she does not have taxable compensation. The law also allows taxpayers age 50 and older to make additional “catch-up” contributions. These folks can contribute up to $6,000 in 2008 ($5,000 in 2007).

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Posted by Michael Chapman at 7:17 PM PDT

At one time, the only way you could join your company’s 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan, or 457(b) plan was to put pen to paper and sign yourself up by filling out the appropriate forms. Now, though, in an effort to help participants increase their retirement savings, some employers have begun enrolling their employees automatically. With automatic enrollment, you don’t fill out a form to opt into your company’s retirement plan; you only fill out a form to opt out of it.

At first glance, automatic enrollment sounds like a no-brainer–without doing anything, you’re on your way to saving for retirement. But don’t just assume that the investment decisions your employer has made on your behalf are right for you. Instead, take charge of your own retirement savings right now by following these four steps.

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Posted by Michael Chapman at 7:15 PM PDT