I'm 27 and have started investing in my 401k heavily since 3 years ago. However, I have so many questions, it's not even funny...from basic understanding on how it works, picking the right investment options, obtaining the highest rate of return possible, frequent trading, are blended funds better than individual, etc, etc, etc. I don't think my human resources department would be of benefit either. Who should I talk to? Thanks.

your Human Resources department

The company that handles your 401k should have representatives that can explain things to you.

Actually, ur company should have given u a packet with all the questions u would ever have answered. But, it is always easier to ask someone & get answers...So, call the 1-800 # or check your company's website and they should have support staff available to answer any questions. Be careful who u chose to invest ur money with, dont take any chances u r not financially prepared to handle...meaning dont invest where the return is almost indefinite...ur playing with ur retirement money!

Go to morningstar.com for info on your funds.Check out the following links for more on 401(k) and saving for retirement:http://www.360financialliteracy.org/http://moneycentral.msn.com/money.search?q=401(k)

Your plan administrator and your plan documents would be most beneficial. Find out who handles your company's 401(k) plan, and call them.

You should have a financial planner take a look at your plan. Get some references from people who are investing and happy with their agent. There are good ones and then those who are just in it for the money. However, your best investing, will be to put in the 401K, as much as your company will match, ie; if they match 6%, you put in 6%, this is "free money" and no risk.

Just call whatever company is in charge of your 401K. You should be able to get all the info on what your money is being invested in be it international or home stocks, etc. And you should be able to choose the percentage of your paycheck that goes into the 401K 1%-10% usually. Also you can choose which area of investment your money should go, and find your rate of return. Usually 401K plans have even distribution of your money into to four broad categories:equity growth,equity value, equity index, and international. It's usually best to fiddle with these percentages and put your money where you think it should go to get a higher rate of return.Hope that helps

You just need to start educating yourself. Start reading, start Googling. All the big brokerage firms and mutual funds have literature online that will help you understand. Since you have a long time till retirement, you should be investing in the stock market, or a mutual fund that invests in the stock market. Your 401(k) plan undoubtedly offers a choice of investments. Look for a growth fund, or a broad-based stock fund (such as an index fund that tracks a broad stock market index such as the Dow Jones average or the S&P 500). All sources agree that equities (=stocks) are best for the long haul. The market goes up and down in the short term, but generally goes up in the long term. In return for the short-term fluctuation, you get a greater gain in the long term.Don't invest in a bond fund or a "guaranteed income fund" or a money market fund. Such funds essentially guarantee that your principal is safe (i.e., that you'll never lose money), which is of course a good thing. But though you're gaining in safety, the rate of return is generally lower than the equity (stock) funds. And in a 401(k) plan, at age 27, you have a long investment horizon, so you shouldn't care if the value goes down in the short term as long as you're investing in assets which are very likely to give a larger return in the longer term.Also, once you've invested in a stock fund, try to ignore the fluctuations in value. Don't get spooked by a short-term drop. Stocks (or stock-based mutual funds) generally gain the most in the long term.Then start reading and educating yourself, at your own pace, and you'll be fine.