When you open your next 401(k) statement, you may be surprised.

The statements are usually sent by mail or online. Basic information about their investments and the size of their nest egg is provided by them.

The amount of monthly income a saver gets from their current nest egg in retirement will be included in the notices.

Inflation points to a Social Security cost of living increase in 2023. Is it possible that it worked? There are more companies that offer an after tax 401(k) option.

The lifetime income illustrations are part of an ongoing effort by policymakers to change how Americans think about retirement savings.

The big picture view of a lump sum may not tell investors much about how they will fund their retirement lifestyle. A $125,000 nest egg may seem like a lot to some people, but if they know it will translate into $500 or $600 a month, they will see it differently.

Richard Kaplan is a law professor at the University of Illinois.

People with decades to retirement have plenty of time to fix any shortfalls.

Due to U.S. Department of Labor requirements, many 401(k) Savers will see the disclosures for the first time on their next quarterly statements. After June 30th, plan administrators will issue those statements.

The Secure Act was passed in the year 2019.

Kaplan said that workers should use the estimates as a rough guide.

They show how much income you would get per month for the rest of your life if you bought an annuity with your 401(k) savings.

For the bulk of Americans, it’ll be a wake-up call.

The other estimate is for a single life annuity, which pays income to an individual buyer for the rest of their lives. A qualified joint and survivor annuity pays income for an individual and a surviving spouse for the rest of their lives.

Your 401(k) balance is the basis for the estimates. They don't project how a 35-year-old's savings will grow and how their nest egg will translate into monthly income Their income may appear low at first glance.

The illustrations don't account for Social Security or any retirement savings outside of that 401(k) plan, meaning the estimate is likely to be at least a slight under representation. It's possible that your full balance is not vested, especially for newer hires.

Savers with many years to retirement are likely to be the most actionable since they have more time to correct.

The majority of this is directed at younger people.

Philip Chao is the principal and chief investment officer at Experiential Wealth, based in Cabin John, Maryland.

A person doesn't think of a future income goal when they save money. Savers should ask themselves how much money they want to make in retirement.

Someone who earned $100,000 a year before tax would be able to fund their lifestyle with $70,000 or $80,000 a year.

I think it’s very helpful for helping people start to think about outcome, and not emphasize the big pile of money.

If a 401(k) savings, pension income and Social Security payments are combined, that monthly or annual income amount would be replaced. The income will usually satisfy two buckets, essential expenses and discretionary expenses. Financial planners recommend that people fund their necessities with guaranteed income sources like Social Security.

The new illustrations help people think about outcome and not emphasize the large amount of money. How much money do I need to provide a sustainable lifetime income? Is that number?

Americans may be saving too much if they don't go through this budgeting exercise.

We should save enough for what we need. What is sufficient? How do you know you have enough savings?

Unlike the new Labor Department requirements, many plan administrators offer online resources that help 401(k) investors gauge how their current account balances will fund their future income needs.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers a free retirement-income calculator.

Savers can use an online calculator to get a better understanding of their situation after getting a rude awakening from the new 401(k) income illustrations.

If an employer offers a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match on up to 4%, the worker is leaving free money on the table.