k)s this evening. with stocks in a free-fall tonight. the dow down more than 300 points this week. the worst week for 401(k)s in over two years. so, what does this mean for your money? abc's chief business correspondent rebecca jarvis tonight. >> reporter: a dramatic reversal on wall street, stocks dropping as fast as the thermometer this week. taking investors like bill and kathy wolters of illinois on a roller-coaster ride they thought was over. now that you have stayed the course, how do you feel? >> it's more than tripled. been very good. it's been a great year. >> reporter: tonight, they're not quite so optimistic. >> that was a really bad day today. >> reporter: the average american family 401(k) started last year around $77,000. by year's end, it was above 100 grand. but just this week, it's fallen more than $3,000. why is this happening? fears of china slowing, american consumers spending less and worries about just how much the federal reserve will keep helping the markets. >>> and rebecca is here with us now. the advice so often is ride it out. but riding it on wall street last year is feeling a lot different than it is today. >> dave, i have been talking to some of the top minds on wall street, they said this year, we could be in for some more bumps. for those who are closer to retirement, a few years away, it's time to talk to your adviser and consider taking away some of that risk. >> likier a bumpier ride this year. all right, rebecca, thank you. >>> another headline about a well-known american family living beyond their means. a former politician and his wife and a very lavish lifestyle. trading political favors for the lifestyle of the rich and famous. here tonight