401K and IRA Funds
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This video teaches teens the fundamental principles of long-term retirement planning through tax-advantaged accounts (401(k)s and IRAs). Viewers will learn how these vehicles work, why starting early is critical, how to select and allocate investments, the mechanics of opening and funding an IRA, and strategies to reach key milestones—most notably the first $100,000—so that compound growth can drive wealth accumulation over decades.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this module, students will:
- Define the structure and tax treatment of employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and individual IRAs (Traditional vs. Roth).
- Explain the power of employer matching contributions and the impact of starting contributions at an early age.
- Compare major asset classes (stocks, bonds, index funds) and their roles in a long-term retirement portfolio.
- Demonstrate the process of opening and funding a Roth IRA, including selecting a brokerage and automating contributions.
- Apply strategies for disciplined investing—avoiding market timing, maintaining consistency, and harnessing compound interest—to achieve a $100,000 account balance and beyond.
Curriculum
- 5 Sections
- 5 Lessons
- 10 Weeks
- 401K and IRA Funds IntroductionIntroduction to 401K and IRA Funds1
- Part 1A 401(k) lets you invest pre-tax income—often with free employer matching—so you’re saving before you see your paycheck. IRAs, especially Roth IRAs funded with after-tax dollars, offer another self-directed path where earnings and withdrawals grow tax-free, making early contributions particularly potent.2
- Part 2Money in retirement accounts must be invested to grow; stocks offer high long-term returns but with volatility, bonds provide stability with lower gains, and index funds bundle many assets for broad diversification. Staying invested through market cycles—rather than timing ups and downs—is key to reliable growth over decades.2
- Part 3To open a Roth IRA, select a brokerage (e.g. Fidelity or Vanguard), complete an online application (minors use custodial accounts), and transfer funds—even $50 a month builds habit and balance. Inside the account, purchase low-cost index funds, set up automated contributions, and avoid common pitfalls like panic-selling during market dips.2
- Part 4Reaching $100K in retirement assets is the hardest but most transformative milestone: once attained, compound interest accelerates your balance without extra effort. Maximize tax-advantaged contributions, boost income via side hustles, live below your means, and invest consistently to clear this threshold and let growth work for you.2
Will
With over 10 years of experience in Marketing, starting in the casino industry, Teacher Will has been involved in the creation and management of a financial budget on a corporate level. Most recently, his love of finance led him to work in both the financial and crypto industries respectively, while also working as an educator. Teacher Will is a dynamic financial literacy teacher who uses real-world simulations and hands-on projects to engage his students. He incorporates mock stock markets, budgeting games, and financial planning challenges to make abstract concepts practical and relatable. He emphasizes critical thinking, personal accountability, and real-life application over simple memorization.
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