Part I: Calculating annual investment to meet retirement target.

Use Worksheet 14.1 Paul and Crystal Meyer, whod like to retire in about 20 years. Both have promising careers, and both make good money. As a result, theyre willing to put aside whatever is necessary to achieve a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. Their current level of household expenditures (excluding savings) is around $75,000 a year, and they expect to spend even more in retirement; they think theyll need about 125 percent of that amount. (Note: 125 percent equals a multiplier factor of 1.25.) They estimate that their Social Security benefits will amount to $30,000 a year in todays dollars and that theyll receive another $35,000 annually from their company pension plans. They feel that future inflation will amount to about 3 percent a year, and they think theyll be able to earn about 6 percent on their investments before retirement and about 4 percent afterward. find out how big Paul and Crystals investment nest egg will have to be and how much theyll have to save annually to accumulate the needed amount within the next 20 years.

Part II: Comparing retirement plans.

Holly Richards has just graduated from college and is considering job offers from two companies. Although the salary and insurance benefits are similar, the retirement programs are not. One firm offers a 401(k) plan that matches employee contributions with 25 cents for every dollar contributed by the employee, up to a $10,000 limit. The other firm has a contributory plan that allows employees to contribute up to 10 percent of their annual salary through payroll deduction and matches it dollar for dollar; this plan vests fully after 5 years. Because Holly is unfamiliar with these plans, explain the features of each to her so she can make an informed decision.