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Retirement savings efforts need a booster shot

Note: Clark is broadcasting remotely for his Christmas Kids 2007 initiative. You can donate online.

While Clark's helping you play Santa for needy children, a new report suggests that we aren't playing Santa to ourselves and our own retirement needs. People left to their own devices don't save. Or they may begin a 401(k) and then spend the money when they switch jobs. If you are younger than 45, Social Security won't be able to help you in a meaningful way. Meanwhile, there are very few pension plans around anymore. So you are your only line of defense! Many employers now have mandatory enrollment in their 401(k) plans, but the amount they deduct may be so small that it won't help in the long run. Clark's executive producer Christa began saving a mere 2 percent of her salary when she was 22. Then at one point when she changed jobs and got a higher salary, she made the leap to saving a whopping 15 percent! Her advice is to start saving now, don't wait for tomorrow. One of the most disturbing findings of the new study shows that people in their 20s have a real problem saving. That's scary considering that your 20s should be one of the easiest times to save. Most people don't yet have a family or other heavy financial obligations at that point. The sad reality is that if you don't save for retirement, you'll have to work until you die or you're physically unable to work anymore.

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This week's poll
Which of these recent rip-off alerts shocked you the most?
Campuses taking kickbacks from health insurers.
AT&T settling a lawsuit over 3rd party billing charges.
Online loans coming with interest rates as high as 2,000%.
Scamsters pretending to collect funds for flood-relief charities.
All of the above.
None of the above.
see previous polls


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