Presently, over 22 million Americans have 401(k) plans, worth an astounding $750 billion, and listeners lucky enough to participate in the plan owe it to themselves to follow the sound advice in this objective guide to this particular approach to retirement planning. Columnist and author Rowland (The New Commonsense Guide to Mutual Funds, Bloomberg, 1998) outlines how and why 401(k)s have become the most important retirement-planning vehicle for most Americans, and in a professional, prescriptive style, she narrates the steps to follow in using them to prepare retirement goals. Since research reveals that few enrolled in this perk are experts on the way the plan works, Rowland lays out in terms understandable by all how it helps to reduce taxes and how one can monitor hidden expenses, take loans, and make withdrawals. The idea here is to understand how to use 401(k)s to get where you want to be in the future. Highly recommended, along with the print version, for all public libraries.Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile
The Bloomberg brand is well known in the world of professional financial information. Thus, it is well positioned to help consumers make better choices. Apparently, this mandate was lost on the producers of this books and audio versions. The handsome packaging disguises some basic flaws. Several of the titles are only partially indicative of what's inside.Far more space and time are devoted to general personal finance issues than the titles would suggest. Although Mary Rowland is known as a journalist, writing is not one of her strong points. Nor is reading aloud. Her voice is grating. Her delivery is irritatingly singsong. The combination of poor writing and reading does not meet professional standards no matter how accurate the information might be. M.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Laura Tarbox, CFP, Tarbox Equity
If you are ready to take control of your financial destiny, you would be well advised to read this book.

Don Phillips, President, Morningstar Mutual Funds
A wonderful primer that guides even novice investors toward becoming more confident 401(k) investors. Everyone with access to a 401(k) account should read this book.

Book Description
In an accessible, step-by-step format, Mary Rowland explains how to get the most out of a 401(k) and use it as the basis of a lifetime of financial planning.

Ingram
Columnist and author Mary Rowland outlines how and why 401(k)s have become the most important retirement-planning vehicle for most Americans. In her no-nonsense, prescriptive style, Rowland tells readers how to get the most out of a 401(k) and how to use it as the basis of a growing portfolio to reach retirement and pre-retirement goals.

Book Info
Presents in a step by step format, how to get the most out of your 401(k) plan & use it as the basis for a lifetime of prudent financial planning. Describes how 401(k)s work, the mechanics of getting in & out of them, & how to evaluate a plan. DLC: 401(k) plans.

Great help with financial planning whether you are 22 or 62, August 6, 2002

Ms. Rowland does a great job answering just about every question imaginable when it comes to dealing with your 401K plan. There is advice for getting started,switching jobs, planning beneficiaries, actually retiring, taking loans out against your 401k...everything. The book is written in a series of 2 page articles she lists as "steps" so if you want to skip around you can. While a little of the material is dated as a result of the recent tax changes, it is mostly in regards to amounts an individual is able to contribute. I felt I was fairly knowledgeable on this topic before I started reading but I found it pretty interesting and worth the time.

excellent book, June 24, 2000

This book is excellent! She explains, in-depth and in easy to understand language, exactly what a 401(k) plan is and how to use it to plan for retirement. Her book clearly explains the role of the 401(k) in retirement.

 

A must read if you are considering 401(k)

This is an excellent book about 401(k) plan. I found 99% of my questions answered in that book. The book is well-organized, and the author did a good job in presenting the pros and cons of 401(k)plan. The only thing I recommend to the author is elaborating more about the 401K status for non-residnts, and how can they get their money out of this plan in case they decided to leave the country.