supplemental retirement plan

Retirement planning can be intimidating at first. Unless you majored in Economics or Business in university, stocks and IRAs are a foreign language. With the majority of Americans relying less on social security and more on their own supplemental retirement plan, a huge market has emerged for financial publications ripe with investment articles aimed at informing the average citizen of his or her options.

Forbes is a fantastic place to discover your inner economist. It may look like a regular news site at first, but if you type “retirement investment” into the website’s search engine, you’ll find a plethora of engaging, easy-to-follow articles with aesthetically-pleasing arrangements. The letters are bold and colorful, with complimentary charts and pictures that make learning and understanding second nature. You might want to stream video presentations or look at the “lists” section where you can find the 100 best mid-cap stocks or an international investment guide. The “personal finance” tab is an invaluable resource for anyone looking for investment articles. From guru insights and investing ideas to taxes and mutual funds — finance has never been so much fun! Forbes.com is simply a “must” for anyone considering saving for their financial future.

If you feel lost in the jargon, try the AARP’s website for guidance. You’ll find investment articles regarding scams, success stories and reviews of retirement planning services. Understand the difference between a 401k and an IRA. This easy-to-read site is essential when you begin your journey into retirement.

Surely you’ve heard of Fortune or Money Magazine. Part of the CNN family, you can find an article about what to do with your 401k and read an interview with the richest man in the world at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune. You probably recall their annual “top 100 companies to work for” list and the “highest paid CEOs” list, making this magazine great for research, more than a dummy’s guide to investment articles. You won’t find so many cut-and-dry explanations, but for the moderately educated and perpetually curious mid-lifer, Fortune and Money covers the hot button issues on Wall Street.

Bloomberg.com is a practical site that features not only investment articles, but also investment tools. Register and use the portfolio tracker and market monitor to easily keep tabs on your stocks, compare your funds with other top-ranked funds or use the personal calculator to keep your spending under control. With a quick click, you’ll get Bloomberg radio and TV reports delivered instantly to your computer. Quickly view an economic calendar or check the top stocks, read current news or refer to the glossary to understand unfamiliar terms. This is not for beginners, but rather intermediates.

Make good use of the search engine while browsing online investment articles. Try searches like “pros and cons of 401k plans,” “retirement investment” or “retirement planning.” Don’t be overwhelmed: take a deep breath and gaze over the different page header tabs to see if anything fits your needs. Once you find a page you like, save time by bookmarking or subscribing. Use this information to formulate questions for financial institutions. The more aware you are, the less susceptible to scams you’ll be!