Okay, I haven't been paying attention since I followed Repubs' advice and put my retirement money

[zbdent]

into the stock market.

How's my stock in Lehman Brothers doing?

[BlooInBloo]

1. Heh.

[thunder rising]

2. Just go back to sleep, you don't want to wake up right now.

[billyoc]

3. Uh, good. When did you say you were going to retire, 2078?

[DrDan]

4. I am so disappointed that I could not have invested my Social Security future

in Wall Street.

I mean - if you can't trust Wall Street and our financial institutions, who can you trust.

But. . . let's get back to the important issues - like lipstick-on-a-pig, barack's preacher, palin's daughter, etc.

[screembloodymurder]

5. Obama needs to use this in an add.

Great point.

[DrDan]

6. yes - I was thinking about this today

he needs to hammer home what the repubs want you to do with your future . . . give it to wall street to manage.

This is a golden opportunity.

[Virginian]

7. That was my thought exactly.

I checked in to see if this thought had been posted. This is exactly what Bush wanted us to do with our Social Security safty net money -- invest it in Wall Street or have Wall Street invest it for us.

I am not sure what is going to happen to my 401(k) or 403(b) or IRAs now that this administration has wrecked the economy. At least when I am too old and feeble to work, I will have Social Security and Medicare - unless another Republican gets into the White House and tries to continue what Bush has done to us.

[MetaTrope]

8. It's still what McCain wants, too...

Unless he's flip-flopped over the weekend.

[ChiciB1]

10. I Myself Would LOVE To Know What Is Going To Happen To IRA's

Ours is held by Morgan Stanley and we don't have to pay the 10% penalty, but it was tax deferred. Should we pull most of it out and leave just a little?

I'm no Guru and have no insight about this stuff, just know what my monthly statement tells me, which is full of this and that!! We don't fool around with it, just let it sit there, but now I wonder what to do!!!

[Celebration]

11. Is it self directed?

We have 401k in a money management place but we get to put it into a Charles Schwab account and do our own thing. For over a year I have been *mostly* buying CDs so as to have $$ at least FDIC insured.

[ChiciB1]

12. I Think That May Be The Best Bet... Not Sure If I Pull Out All Of Our

money if I pay a penalty, don't think so... but perhaps. Leaving a little won't hurt I guess even if I have to pay taxes on what I take out.

Thanks!

[gravity]

13. IRA's are safe as anything else

Unless you absolutely have to, leave your money in so you can defer tax payments.

The only way your IRA will be a problem is if you have too many risky investments. If you don't know what you are invested in or what to do, get a financial adviser to help you out.

[ChiciB1]

14. We've Had The Same Broker Since 2000... Just Worried About Morgan Stanley

myself. Mostly invested with S&P's that much I do know, but from what I understand that's Mutual Stock and it's stayed very steady for about a year & half. Lost about $1200-1300 since then. We talk with him from time to time and let him know we don't want to take any risks. But hearing all this stuff makes me jittery as it is doing with most Americans.

Just thought I would get some perspective and thanks for your input.

[gravity]

15. Your investments would be safe even if Morgan Stanley goes under

The SIPC ensures that you will get your funds back. It won't protect if the funds lose value, but you will get them back.

S&P 500 index funds is one of the smartest ways to invest in the stock market, but if you are concerned, you can put some of the money into bond funds which offer lower return with less volatility.

Personally, I would still a good amount money in the S&P funds if you are planning on holding the money for a long time. The market is probably near the bottom, and you could be selling them at exactly the wrong time. The valuation of most companies today are a lot more sane than in 2000, so the drop shouldn't be comparable. This still all depends on your risk profile and your stomach.

Edit: If Obama wins your money will be fine in the stock funds. If McCain, move them into the bond funds

[ChiciB1]

16. Thanks Again... Didn't Lose Too Much Yesterday... But Would Like Not

to lose any! Glad to hear I'm pretty safe! Broker has told us to stay with this portfolio because of what you just stated, but then you never know!

Glad you concur!

[northernlights]

9. I ignored the repubs advice

and invested my money into my home, which I happily own outright although I am starting to get a little cash poor.

So now what do I do?