When Enron filed for bankruptcy, thousands of Enron employees watched their retirement nest eggs evaporate in a matter of just few months while high-level executives pocketed millions. The Enron scandal has brought into sharp focus the vulnerability of employees' retirement accounts, especially 401(k) accounts. People are aware now as never before that they must take steps to safeguard the assets in their 401(k) accounts since those assets are not protected by any private or public insurance program. Protect Your 401(k) is a practical, accessible, and quick guide to the 10 steps every 401(k) participant must take immediately to secure their investments and any gains they have made so far. Those steps include: - Diversify, use asset allocation - Know the rules of distribution - Take advantage of matching programs - Know who's managing the funds - Understand the mechanics of the plan Protect Your 401(k) is essential for every employee with a 401(k) account. In this very hands-on book, the authors first briefly explain what a 401(k) is (including a brief history of these accounts) and how to get started. The authors then lead the reader through the nuts-and-bolts steps to take to protect his or her nest egg. These steps range from such simple things as basic do's and don'ts to more complicated procedures such as using advanced investment strategies. Most books on 401(k) accounts focus only on how to invest the funds you have and how to plan for retirement, but none addresses the issue of actually protecting your money until retirement arrives. Protect Your 401(k) addresses the potential dangers posed by 401(k) accounts and then shows the positive steps you can take to protect your account. In addition, the authors discuss how your investment policy can be shaped to increase the safety of your account. Appendices discuss such key issues as record keeping, reporting and disclosure, and 401(k) accounts and Social Security. Protect Your 401(k) is the book to have for any investor who suddenly realizes that his or her 401(k) is at risk.