One of the best and most tax-friendly ways to build a nest egg for retirement is by contributing to an employer-sponsored 401(k) account. If your employer offers this benefit, jump in as soon as you can, because it's never too early to start saving for retirement.
401(k) Contribution Limits for 2021
The maximum amount workers can contribute to a 401(k) for this year remained the same as 2020 at $19,500 for those younger than age 50. If you're age 50 and older, you can add an extra $6,500 per year in "catch-up" contributions, bringing your total 401(k) contributions for 2021 to $26,000. Contributions to a 401(k) are generally due by the end of the calendar year.
A traditional 401(k) is an employer-based retirement savings account that you fund through payroll deductions before taxes have been taken out. Those contributions lower your taxable income and help cut your tax bill. For example, if your monthly income is $5,000 and you contribute $1,000 of that to your 401(k), only $4,000 of your paycheck will be subject to tax. While the money is in your account, it is sheltered from taxes as it grows.
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The money can usually be invested in a variety of stock funds and bond funds. The average 401(k) plan offers 13 funds and typically more than half of plan assets are invested in U.S. stock funds and target-date funds, according to research from the Investment Company Institute. (See the best funds in 401(k)s for more on where to invest your retirement savings.)
Many employers also match their employees' contributions up to a certain percentage of salary. Some companies even contribute to workers' accounts regardless of whether the employees contribute their own money. On average, companies contributed 5.3% of an employee's pay to the employee's 401(k) account in 2019, according to data released by the Plan Sponsor Council of America in December.
How Much Should You Save for Retirement in a 401(k)?
Stuart Ritter, a certified financial planner with T. Rowe Price, recommends that workers save at least 15% of their income for retirement, including any employer match. If your employer contributes 3%, for example, then you would need to save an additional 12%.
"For people who aren't at 15%, one of the best ways to get there is to increase the amount you are saving by 2% each year until you reach the 15% level," Ritter says. So if you're saving 3% now, bump that up to 5% next year, 7% the year after and so on.
When You Can Withdraw Money From a 401(k)?
You generally must be at least 59 1/2 to withdraw money from your 401(k) without owing a 10% penalty. The early-withdrawal penalty doesn't apply, though, if you are age 55 or older in the year you leave your employer.
Traditional 401(k)s vs. Roth 401(k)s
According to Melissa Brennan, a certified financial planner in Dallas, a 401(k) works best for someone who anticipates being in a lower income tax bracket at retirement than they're in now. For example, someone in the 32% or 35% tax bracket may be able to retire in the 24% bracket. "In that case, it makes sense to save on a pretax basis and defer income taxes until retirement," Brennan says.
Employers have been increasing tax diversification in their retirement plans by adding Roth 401(k)s. These accounts combine features of Roth IRAs and 401(k)s. Contributions go into a Roth 401(k) after you have paid taxes on the money. You can withdraw contributions and earnings tax- and penalty-free if you're at least age 59 1/2 and have owned the account for five years or more. You'll also be required to take minimum distributions from a Roth 401(k) once you turn age 72. However, you might be able to avoid RMDs if you can move the money from a Roth 401(k) into a Roth IRA, which isn't subject to required minimum distributions.
(Note: If you invest in both a 401(k) and a Roth 401(k), the total amount of money you can contribute to both accounts can't exceed the annual limit for your age, either $19,500 or $26,000 for 2021. If you do exceed it, the IRS might hit you with a 6% excessive-contribution penalty.)
401(k) Retirement Savings Tips
Advice for maximizing your 401(k) savings:
- Max out your contributions. For each year that you're able, aim to hit the $19,500 limit.
- Once you turn 50, add another $6,500 to that limit annually while you continue to work.
- If your employer offers to match your contributions up to a certain amount, be sure to invest at least that much in your 401(k) each month. It's free money, after all.
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