Glossary of Retirement Planning Terms
401(k) Plan
Definition of a 401(k) retirement plan
Annuity
Definition of an annuity.
14 Essential Investing Terms to Know
Become a better investor by defining your financial terms. Learn the lingo, and start talking and thinking like a financial pro.
Automatic Investment Plan (AIP)
Definition of Automatic Investment Plan (AIP).
Balanced Fund
Definition of balanced fund
Asset Allocation
Definition of Asset Allocation
Cash Balance Plan Definition
Definition of a Cash Balance retirement plan.
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
Definition of a cost of living allowance for Social Security recipients
Contingent Beneficiary Definition
Definition of a contingent beneficiary.
What's a Contingent Beneficiary?
What is a contingent beneficiary and why you should make sure yours is correct.
Contribution Percentage Definition
Definition of a contribution percentage.
Correlated and Non Correlated Assets
Defining what it means when assets are correlated or noncorrelated.
Diversification
Definition of diversification
Defined Benefit Plan Definition
Definition of a defined benefit (DB) plan.
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
Definition of a regular individual retirement account
Early Retirement Penalty
Definition of early retirement penalty
Employer Matching Program
Definition of an employer matching program for a 401(k) plan
Defined Contribution Plan Definition
Definition of a defined contribution (DC) plan.
Fiduciary Duty
Definition of fiduciary duty
Home Equity
Definition of Home Equity
IRA Rollover
Definition of an IRA rollover.
Deflation
Definition of deflation.
Inflation
Definition of the inflation
IRA Contribution Deadline
Definition of IRA contribution deadline
Life Expectancy
Definition of Life Expectancy
Joint and Survivor Payment Option (or Annuity)
Definition of joint and survivor payment option (or annuity)
Life Annuity Payment Option
Definition of life annuity payment option
Life Cycle Fund
Definition of Life Cycle Fund
Market Capitalization (Market Cap)
Definition of market capitalization or market caps.
Mutual Fund
Definition of a mutual fund
Investment Portfolio Definition
Definition of an investment portfolio.
Required Minimum Distribution
Definition of a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from a qualified retirement plan such as a 401(k) or IRA
Roth Individual Retirement Account
Definition of a Roth individual retirement account
Social Security
Definition of Social Security Retirement Plan Benefits
Tax-Deferred
Definition of tax-deferred growth available through many qualified retirement plans
Tax-Free
Definition of tax-free growth available through a Roth IRA
Suitability Standard
Definition of suitability standard
Target Date Fund
Definition of Target Date Fund
Money Purchase Plan Definition
Definition of a money purchase plan.
Non-qualified Retirement Plan Definition
Definition of a non-qualified retirement plan.
Risk Tolerance
Definition of risk tolerance, how risk is determined and what it means for your investments.
Primary Beneficiary Definition
Definition of a primary beneficiary.
Profit-Sharing Plan Definition
Definition of a profit-sharing plan.
Qualified Retirement Plan Definition
Definition of a qualified retirement plan.
Term Certain Payment Option
Definition of term certain payment option
Spousal IRA Definition
Definition of a spousal IRA.
Target Benefit Plan Definition
Definition of a target benefit plan.
403(b) Plan
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for nonprofit workers. Find out exactly how 403(b) plans work and how much you can contribute to your 403(b) in 2012.
Three-Legged Stool of Retirement
What is the three-legged stool of retirement?
What Is a 457(b) Plan?
Find out how 457(b) plans can help you save for retirement, and why a 457(b) plan is even better than a 401(k).
What Is a 403(b) Plan?
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for nonprofit workers. Find out exactly how 403(b) plans work and how much you can contribute to your 403(b) in 2012.
What Is a 457(b) Plan?
Find out how 457(b) plans can help you save for retirement, and why a 457(b) plan is even better than a 401(k).