Financial advisors say that reviewing your options if your employer offers 401(K) matching is a simple way to expand your investment portfolio.

Often referred to as “free money” by advisors, a 401(K) match is when your job deposits money into your 401 (K) account to reflect any contributions you’ve made from your compensation, such as bonuses and salary, according to Fidelity Investments. 

In a new report from CNBC, experts say learning about your employer’s 401(k) matching policies is one of the simplest ways to get “free money” or more bang for your buck at the workplace.

Simply put, an employer will make a matching contribution to a worker’s retirement savings up to a cap, thanks to 401(K) matching. So, if a worker places 3% or more of their annual salary into a 401(K) plan, their employer may add 3% to their employee’s account. With a dollar-for-dollar match of up to 3%, the investor can double their money, which, per the report, is the same as a 100% profit.

Kamila Elliott, a certified financial planner and co-founder of the Atlanta-based company Collective Wealth Partners, calls a 401(K) match “one of the rare guarantees on an investment that we have” when it comes to making smart money moves.

“If you were in Vegas and every time you put $1 in [the slot machine], you got $2 out, you’d probably be sitting at that slot machine for a mighty long time,” said Elliott, who is also a member of CNBC’s Advisor Council.

In a 2023 survey conducted by the Plan Sponsor Council of America, it was found that roughly 80% of 401(K) plans across the nation offer a matching contribution. However, employers must ultimately determine what percentage they will match for their employees. This amount can be factored into various formulas and does not look the same for each company.

One of the most common methods employers adopt is a 50-cent match for every dollar a worker puts in their 401(K) account. Per the PCSA, if a worker saves 6% of their pay, the company’s matching formula adds another 3% to their account, leaving them with a total investment of 9%.

“Where else can you get a guaranteed return of more than 50% on an investment? Nowhere,” said a 401(K) administrator, money manager, and investment advisor group, Vanguard.

While the investment seems like an easy win for employees, it is important to note that many employer “vesting schedules” or policies determine whether workers will receive the full benefits of a 401(K) match.

For example, some vesting schedules employers employ require employees to stay at a company for a set amount of time before they can claim ownership of the money in the account.

The PCSA reports that roughly 60% of companies require workers to have a tenure at the job that lasts anywhere from two to six years before they are allowed to leave and take the money contributed by both them and the employers with them. If they go before the allotted period, employees risk losing some, if not all, of their matches.

For the remaining estimated 40% of employers who do not require tenure, they have “immediate vesting” or no limitation to accessing the money matched by their employers in their 401(K) account.

RELATED CONTENT: Americans In Their 50s Are Expected To Have Over $200K In Their 401(K) Accounts, Experts Say 

Originally Published Apr. 14, 2019.

Giving a presentation in front of your peers, clients, or in front of a board is one of the more stress-inducing tasks for most people. Getting up in front of a crowd to talk, explain, and bring forth an idea can be scary no matter the size of the group or who is in the room. However, as one who has presented in plenty of meetings, given a TEDx speech, and who has a stutter, I can tell you they are not as terrifying as you think.

Four Tips on Delivering a Great Presentation

Make eye contact

This was the first rule I learned when speaking publicly. Making eye contact engages people and makes them feel like they are being directly talked to, plus it invokes confidence. Your audience will believe that you know what you are talking about.

Have minimal info on slides 

When doing a presentation, sometimes you may want to use Canva or Google Slides to show pictures, charts, quotes, etc. My advice is to keep the information as brief as you can. In my opinion, the visuals of a presentation are used to have you expound on a topic. The audience is there to hear you talk, not to read the slides.

Project your voice 

During a speech, talk, or presentation, one of the goals is to make sure everyone hears you. The room that you are speaking in may be small with a handful of people or packed with folks who cannot wait to hear what you have to say. No matter the size of the crowd, you want to speak at a volume level so everyone can hear you. The goal is for people in the back to hear what you have to say as well as those seated in the front.

Use your personality 

Some of the most boring, mundane meetings have been because the presenter was dry and spoke in a flat, almost robotic manner devoid of any personality. That will turn people off from what you have to say and possibly put folks to sleep. My suggestion is to inject who you are into the presentation. When I spoke at TEDxWilsonPark, one of the ways that I wanted to keep the audience interested is to show my goofy charm which gained laughs, and I was able to connect with the audience. This is your presentation; personalize it.

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Former NFL linebacker Brandon Copeland has spent his life chasing down opportunities—both on and off the field. But since hanging up his cleats, Copeland’s mission has shifted to a different kind of pursuit: financial empowerment. A man of many titles—retired pro athlete, Ivy League professor, entrepreneur, and now author—Copeland is now leading the charge to teach everyday people how to take control of their finances, one play at a time.

During his decade-long NFL career, Copeland was known for his athletic prowess, but what many didn’t see was the work he was putting in off the field. While his young teammates focused on game strategy, Copeland saved and invested most of his earnings and planned for his financial future.

 “I saw too many guys who were making life-changing money but didn’t know how to make it last,” says Copeland. “I didn’t want to be one of them, and I didn’t want my teammates to fall into that trap either.” 

Over time, he became known as the “Money Professor” in the locker room, sharing his knowledge with teammates who wanted to make their money last long after their playing days ended.  

That same drive and passion for financial education are now at the core of his entrepreneurial journey. A graduate of the Wharton Business School, Brandon now teaches “Life 101” at the University of Pennsylvania, a financial literacy course he created that covers essential topics like budgeting, investing, credit management, and retirement planning. 

But his latest project might be his most ambitious yet. He is taking his financial expertise to the masses with his newly released debut book, Your Money Playbook: How to Earn More, Build Wealth, and Win at Life.

A Financial Game Plan for Everyone

With rising inflation, growing economic uncertainty, and the increasing impact of AI on the job market, managing money has become a critical skill for all ages.

“Financial literacy should not be reserved for the wealthy or for those who can afford high-priced consultants,” says Copeland. “Everyone deserves to know how to manage their money, how to invest, and how to build a legacy.”

In Your Money Playbook, Copeland offers actionable advice that doesn’t just tell people what they should do but shows them how to do it. The book’s structure also mirrors the game Copeland knows oh so well—football—breaking down complex financial concepts into four digestible “quarters.”

According to Brandon, these are the four fundamental principles to follow when tackling your financial fears and creating a winning game plan:

Diversify Your Income – Don’t rely on just one source of income. Find ways to create multiple streams, whether through side hustles, investments, or other passive income opportunities.

Invest Early and Often – The sooner you start investing, the more time your money has to grow. Copeland stresses the importance of starting small if necessary, but starting now.

Cut Costs Wisely – Smart spending doesn’t mean cutting out all the things you love. It’s about finding creative ways to save on everyday expenses and making sure your spending aligns with your long-term goals.

Plan for the Future – Building wealth isn’t just about today; it’s about creating a legacy for tomorrow. Copeland encourages readers to think beyond themselves and consider the financial future of their families and communities.

A New Chapter for Copeland—and for Financial Literacy

Copeland admits that his early NFL years came with a steep learning curve, but he’s determined to help others avoid the same pitfalls he saw his peers face with the release of his debut book.

“Your Money Playbook is about more than just making money—it’s about creating peace of mind and giving people the tools to face whatever challenges come their way,” says Copeland.

Brandon Copeland is now on a mission to level the financial playing field by democratizing access to financial education and giving people the tools they need to win—not just in their financial lives but in life overall. And with the same drive that made him a standout on the field, he’s proving that true success isn’t just about what you earn but what you learn.

Your Money Playbook is now available to readers and promises to be a game-changer for anyone looking to level up their financial game.

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Jamila Thompson has been appointed the United States Trade Representative (USTR) official chief of staff.

The USTR announced Thompson’s new role on Sept. 12. Her promotion follows years of her serving as the agency’s acting chief of staff and senior advisor.

Now, as chief of staff, Thompson will support the agency’s efforts in advocating for working communities and expanding opportunities across all segments of society. Her extensive government resume includes serving as chief of staff for Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. John Lewis (GA). She also worked as a legislative assistant for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) after spending years as a volunteer coordinator and translator for various nonprofit organizations.

“Jamila has been an indispensable advisor, colleague, and teammate since my first day as the U.S. Trade Representative,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “From our time together in Congress until now, Jamila has been the epitome of wise counsel, sound judgment, and invaluable compassion. As USTR continues to use trade to bring about economic justice and drive inclusive economic growth, Jamila’s wealth of experience, including as a senior staff member to the late Congressman John Lewis, will help anchor our work in the principles of fairness and equity for all.”

Thompson previously served on the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Affairs in Washington, D.C., and is a senior fellow at the Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership. In Spring 2015, Goucher College honored Jamila as one of the inaugural recipients of its Distinguished Alumnae and Alumni Award. She is also a graduate of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

With the title of chief of staff, Thompson “will also continue to prioritize the health and well-being of USTR as an institution and invest in the growth and development of our people, as she has been doing all this year,” Tai said. “I could not be prouder to have her as my chief of staff.”

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