Be smart about retirement investing

With Social Security struggling to meet demands (or will) and company pensions going to the wayside (not to mention 401(k) matching being suspended by many companies) it is imperative you re-educate yourself on basic investing. Asset allocation selection, rebalancing and goal planning will need to be the focus.

As we tell our own children, with increased freedoms and responsibilities comes increased focus. It used to be when you retired, you got your gold watch and received a fixed monthly retirement check. Now, more employers are going the route of shifting the responsibility to you. Defined Benefits retirement plans, once the norm, are being replaced with Defined Contribution plans, 401(k)s, etc. Not that this is bad - it just means you need to know what you are doing more than ever.

As we painfully are aware, 2008 reminds us how fragile investments can be in the short term. Remember, 401(k)s don't lose money - no matter how much you may think so. It's the investment selections within the 401(k) that could potentially lose money, and who do you think picks those investments? You do.

Put attention on making good, educated decisions. More personal responsibility with our money will bring more opportunities. The hope is with more opportunities, we, as investors, can win the investment game.

Good luck!

Jeffrey A. Johnston

President,

Premier Investments of Iowa Inc.

Cedar Rapids