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Investing in an employer-sponsored retirement plan is one of the easiest ways to save for your future.

Many people don't think about how much they should be contributing, or they don't pay attention to how fluctuating markets can affect their portfolio. If you're serious about building your nest egg, there are lots of ways to be smarter about how you add money to your 401(k).

Here are some tips you'll want to follow when enrolling in a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.

1. Contribute.

The first thing you need to do is contribute, period - especially if your company offers a match. If you don't, you're literally turning down free money. The most common employer-sponsored plan is a 401(k), in which pre-tax money is deducted from each paycheck based on a percentage you choose, with an annual max of $17,500. If you're lucky, your employer may "match" with its own contribution (typically topped off at 6%). Did we mention that it's free money?

If you work for a public education organization, non-profit, or hospital organization, then your retirement plan consists of a 403(b). As with a 401(k), the money is deducted from your paycheck before taxes. Government employees have similar options under a 457(b) plan.

2. Be sure to contribute enough.

Contributing a default percentage (on average 3%) simply isn't enough. A bump in your contribution percentage could mean thousands of dollars in retirement income down the road. And while not everyone can afford to max out his or her contributions, you should at least put in enough to get the full match offered by your employer. Put that money to use.

3. Roll over your plan from your previous job.

With all the excitement of getting a new job, it's easy to forget (or dread) rolling over your old retirement plan into a new one. But failing to do so could cost you. If left untouched, the funds you've invested in could eventually change or turn into cash by default. Once you're eligible to join your company's retirement plan, it's a good idea to roll over your funds to your new account or open up an IRA account. An IRA