What Is The Difference Between a Pension and 401(k) Plan?

What Is the Difference Between a Pension and 401(k) Plan?

A 401(k) plan is a retirement plan in which employees contribute to a tax-deferred account via paycheck deductions (and often with an employer match). A pension plan is a different kind of retirement plan, in which a company sets money aside to give to future retirees.

Over the past few decades, defined-contribution plans like the 401(k) have steadily replaced pension plans as the private-sector, employer-sponsored retirement plan of choice. While both a 401(k) plan and a pension plan are employer-sponsored retirement plants, there are some significant differences between the two.

How Are 401(k) Plans Different From Pension Plans?

Pension plans and 401(k) plans are both valuable employee retirement benefits. The first step to making the most of an employer retirement plan is understanding the differences between them. The main distinction between a 401(k) and a pension plan is that pension plans are largely employer driven, while 401(k)s are employee driven.

Funding

Employees typically fund 401(k) plans, while employers typically fund pension plans.

Investments

Employees can choose investments (from several options) in their 401(k), while employers choose the investments that fund a pension plan.

Value

The value of a 401(k) plan at retirement depends on how much the employee has saved, in addition to the performance of the investments over time. Pensions, on the other hand, guarantee a set amount of income for life.

What Is a Pension and How Does It Work?

A pension plan is a type of retirement savings plan where an employer contributes funds to an investment account on behalf of their employees. The earnings become income for the employees once they retire.

There are two common types of pension plans:

•  Defined-benefit pension plans, also known as traditional pension plans, are employer-sponsored retirement investment plans that guarantee the employee will receive a set benefit amount upon retirement (usually calculated with set parameters, i.e. employee earnings and years of service). Regardless of how the investment pool performs, the employer guarantees pension payments to the retired employee. If the plan assets aren’t enough to pay out to the employee, the employer is on the hook for the rest of the money.

According to the IRS, contributions to a defined-benefit pension plan cannot exceed 100% of the employee’s average compensation for the highest three consecutive calendar years of their employment or $265,000 for tax year 2023 ($275,000 for 2024).

•  Defined-contribution pension plans are employer-sponsored retirement plans to which employers make plan contributions on their employee’s behalf and the benefit the employee receives is based solely on the performance of the investment pool. Meaning: There is no guarantee of a set monthly payout.

Like 401(k) plans, employees can contribute to these plans, and in some cases, employers match the contribution made by the employee. Unlike defined-benefit pension plans, however, the employee is not guaranteed a certain amount of money upon retirement. Instead, the employee receives a payout based on the performance of the investments in the fund.

Recommended: What Is a Money Purchase Pension Plan (MPPP)?

When it comes to pension plan withdrawals, employees who take out funds before the age of 59 ½ must pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty as well as standard income taxes. This is similar to the penalties and taxes associated with early withdrawal from a traditional 401(k) plan.

Pension Plan Advantages

The main advantage for employees in pension plans is that this is extra retirement income from your employer. In most cases, an employee does not need to contribute to a defined-benefit pension plan in order to get consistent payouts upon retirement.

Other advantages of pension plans include:

Tax savings

IRS-qualified pension plans may provide tax benefits to contributors, whether employers or employees. In many instances, contributions occur with pre-tax dollars.

Higher contribution limits

When compared to 401(k)s, defined-contribution pension plans have significantly higher contribution limits and, as such, present an opportunity to set aside more money for retirement.

Compound interest

Compound interest is interest earned on the initial investment as well as on subsequent interest, which accumulates over time. The sooner a person starts investing in a pension plan, the more they can benefit from compounding interest.

Decreased market risk

The market risk for a pension vs. 401(k) is significantly lower because a defined-benefit pension plan means a guarantee of lifetime income.

Payroll deduction savings

Much like 401(k) contributions, defined-contribution pension plan contributions are withheld directly from an employee’s pay. This makes it simpler and more straightforward to save money for retirement than manually transferring funds into a separate account.

What Is a 401(k) and How Does It Work?

A traditional 401(k) plan is a tax-advantaged defined-contribution plan where workers contribute pre-tax dollars to the investment account via automatic payroll deductions. These contributions are sometimes fully or partially matched by their employers, and withdrawals are taxed at the participant’s marginal tax rate.

With a 401(k), employees and employers may both make contributions to the account (up to a certain IRS-established limit), but employees are responsible for selecting the specific investments. They can typically choose from an array of offerings from the employer and include a mixture of stocks and bonds that vary in levels of risk depending on when they plan to retire.

The IRS considers the removal of any 401(k) funds before the age of 59 ½ an “early withdrawal.” The penalty for removing funds before that time is an additional income tax of 10% of the withdrawal amount (there are exceptions, notably a hardship distribution, where plan participants can withdraw funds early to cover “immediate and heavy financial need”).

Recommended: 401a vs 401k: What’s the Difference?

401 (k) Contribution Limits

To account for inflation, the IRS periodically adjusts the maximum amount an employer or employee can contribute to a 401(k) plan.

•  For 2024, annual employee-only contributions can’t exceed $23,000 for workers under 50, and $30,500 for workers over 50 (this includes a $7,500 catch-up contribution).

•  The total annual contribution paid by employer and employee in 2024 is capped at $69,000 for workers under 50, and $76,500 for workers over 50.

•  For 2023, annual employee-only contributions can’t exceed $22,500 for workers under 50, and $30,000 for workers over 50 (this includes a $7,500 catch-up contribution).

•  The total annual contribution paid by employer and employee in 2023 is capped at $66,000 for workers under 50, and $73,500 for workers over 50.

Some plans allow employees to make additional after-tax contributions to their 401(k) plan, within the contribution limits outlined above.

Recommended: 5 Ways to Rebuild Your Retirement Savings

401(k) Plan Advantages

While a 401(k) plan might not offer as clearly-defined a retirement savings picture as a pension plan, it still comes with a number of upsides for participants who want a more active role in their retirement investments.

Self-directed investment opportunities

Unlike employer-directed pension plans, in which the employee has no say in the investment strategy, 401(k) plans offer participants more control over how much they invest and where the money goes (within parameters set by their employer). Plans typically offer a selection of investment options, including mutual funds, individual stocks and bonds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and non-traditional assets like real estate.

Tax advantages

One of the biggest benefits of participating in a 401(k) plan is the tax savings. Contributions to a 401(k) come from pre-tax dollars through payroll deductions, reducing the gross income of the participant and allowing them to pay less in income taxes overall. Also, 401(k) plan participants don’t pay taxes on their gains, so they can grow even more money over time.

Employer matching

Many 401(k) plan participants are eligible for an employer match up to a certain amount, which essentially means free money.

Why Did 401(k) Plans Largely Replace Pension Plans?

The percentage of private sector employees whose only retirement account is a defined benefit pension plan is just 3% today, versus 60% in the early 1980s. The majority of private sector companies stopped funding traditional pension plans in the last few decades, freezing the plans and shifting to defined-contribution plans like 401(k)s.

When a pension fund isn’t full enough to distribute promised payouts, the company still needs to distribute that money to plan participants. In several instances in recent decades, pension fund deficits for large enterprises like airlines and steel makers were so enormous they required government bailouts. Upon filing for bankruptcy, these employers forfeited responsibility for their retirement plan obligations and shifted the burden to US taxpayers.

To avoid situations like this, many of today’s employers have shifted the burden of retirement funding to their workers.

401(k) vs. Pension: Which Is Better?

When considering a pension versus a 401k, most people prefer the certainty that comes with a pension plan.

But for those who seek more control over their retirement savings and more investment vehicles to choose from, a 401(k) plan could be the more advantageous option.

In the case of the 401(k), it really depends on how well the investments perform over time. Without the safety net of guaranteed income that comes with a pension plan, a poorly performing 401(k) plan has a direct effect on a retiree’s nest egg.

Can You Have a Pension Plan and a 401(k) Plan?

Yes. A person can have both a pension plan and a 401(k) plan, but usually not from the same employer. If an employee leaves a company after becoming eligible for a pension and opens a 401(k) with a new employer, their previous employer will still maintain their pension, though the employer will no longer pay into the account. An employee can still access their former retirement account linked to the previous employer in order to use pension funds.

Beyond Employer-Sponsored Plans: The IRA

A traditional Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, is another tax-advantaged investment option you can use to save for retirement. One major benefit of an IRA is that anyone can set up an IRA, whether they’re self-employed, work part time, or already have a 401(k) with an employer and want to save extra retirement funds.

IRAs have a larger investment selection and offer significant tax advantages. In the case of Roth IRAs, there are no penalties for withdrawing funds before the age of 59 ½.

The only catch, of course, is that with an IRA there is no employer to offer matching contributions. In addition, the contribution limits are lower than 401(k) limits. For 2024, contributions to traditional IRA plans are capped at $7,000 for individuals under age 50, and $8,000 (using catch-up contributions) for people over age 50. For 2023, contributions to traditional IRA plans are capped at $6,500 for individuals under age 50, and $7,500 (using catch-up contributions) for people over age 50.

Recommended: IRA vs 401(k)–What Is the Difference?

The Takeaway

Pension plans are employer-sponsored, employer-funded retirement plans that guarantee a set income to participants for life. On the other hand, 401(k) accounts are employer-sponsored retirement plans through which employees make their own investment decisions and, in some cases, receive an employer match in funds. The post-retirement payout varies depending on market fluctuations.

While pension plans are far more rare today than they were 30 years ago, if you have worked at a company that offers one, that money will still come to you after retirement even if you change jobs, as long as you stayed with your company long enough for your benefits to vest.

Some people have both pensions and 401(k) plans, but there are other ways to take an active role in saving for retirement. An IRA is an alternative to 401(k) and pension plans that allows anyone to open a retirement savings account. IRAs have lower contribution limits but a larger selection of investments to choose from.

An online retirement account with SoFi Invest® puts you in the driver’s seat by helping you set your goals, diversify your portfolio, and get solid advice every step of the way. You can use the account to open an IRA and start investing in stocks, exchange-traded funds, and other types of investments.

Find out how SoFi Invest® can help with your personal retirement goals.

Photo credit: iStock/Sam Edwards



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INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Advisory services are offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at adviserinfo.sec.gov .

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Roth IRA Conversion: Rules and Examples

A Roth IRA is a retirement savings account that offers tax-free withdrawals during retirement. You can convert a traditional IRA or a qualified distribution from a previous employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k), into a Roth IRA. This is known as a Roth IRA conversion.

A Roth IRA conversion may be worth considering for the potential tax benefits. Along with tax-free qualified withdrawals in retirement, the money in a Roth IRA has the potential to grow tax-free. Read on to learn how a conversion works, the Roth IRA conversion rules, and whether a Roth IRA conversion may make sense for you.

What Is a Roth IRA Conversion?

With a Roth IRA conversion, an individual moves the funds from another retirement plan into a Roth IRA. You pay taxes on the money in your existing account in order to move it to a Roth IRA.

Many retirement plans, such as 401(k)s and traditional IRAs are tax-deferred. The money is contributed to your account with pre-tax dollars. In retirement, you would pay taxes on your withdrawals. But by doing a Roth conversion, you pay taxes on the money you convert to a Roth IRA, and the money can then potentially grow tax-free. In retirement, you can make qualified withdrawals from the Roth IRA tax-free.

You can convert all or part of your money to a Roth IRA.

💡 Quick Tip: Look for an online brokerage with low trading commissions as well as no account minimum. Higher fees can cut into investment returns over time.

How Does a Roth IRA Conversion Work?

As mentioned, when converting to a Roth IRA, an individual must pay taxes on the contributions and gains in their current retirement plan because only after-tax contributions are allowed to a Roth IRA. They can typically convert their funds to a Roth IRA in one of three ways:

•   An indirect rollover: With this method, the owner of the account receives a distribution from a traditional IRA and can then contribute it to a Roth IRA within 60 days.

•   A trustee-to-trustee, or direct IRA rollover: The account owner tells the financial institution currently holding the traditional IRA assets to transfer an amount directly to the trustee of a new Roth IRA account at a different financial institution.

•   A same-trustee transfer: This is used when a traditional IRA is housed in the same financial institution as the new Roth IRA. The owner of the account alerts the institution to transfer an amount from the traditional IRA to the Roth IRA.

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Roth IRA Conversion Rules

There are a number of rules that govern a Roth IRA conversion. Before you proceed with a conversion, it’s important to understand what;’s involved. Roth IRA conversion rules include:

Taxes

You’ll pay taxes on a traditional IRA or 401(k) before you convert it to a Roth IRA. This includes the tax-deductible contributions you’ve made to the account as well as the tax-deferred earnings. They will be taxed as ordinary income in the year that you make the conversion. Because they’re considered additional income, they could put you into a higher marginal tax bracket. You’ll also need to make sure you have the money on hand to pay the taxes.

Limits

There are two types of limits to be aware of with a Roth IRA conversion. First, there is no limit to the number or size of Roth IRA conversions you can make. You might want to convert smaller amounts of money into a Roth IRA over a period of several years to help manage the amount of taxes you’ll need to pay in one year.

Second, Roth IRAs have contribution limits. For instance, in 2024, you can typically contribute up to $7,000, or up to $8,000 if you’re 50 or older.

Withdrawals

The withdrawals you make from a Roth IRA are tax-free. However, with a Roth IRA conversion, if you are under age 59 ½, you will need to wait at least five years before withdrawing the money or you’ll be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty (more on that below).

Backdoor Roth IRAs

A Roth IRA conversion may be an option to consider if you earn too much money to otherwise be eligible for a Roth IRA. Roth IRAs have contribution phase-out ranges, and individuals whose income exceeds those limits cannot contribute to a Roth fully or at all. For 2024, the income limits begin to phase out at $230,000 for those who are married and filing jointly, and $146,000 for those who are single.

However, if you have a traditional IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA — a process known as a backdoor Roth IRA — those income phase-out rules don’t apply. You can use a backdoor IRA as long as you pay taxes on any contributions to the traditional IRA that you deducted from your taxes, as well as any profits you earned.

5-Year Rule

According to the 5-year rule, if you are under age 59 ½, the funds that you convert to a Roth IRA must remain in your account for at least five years or you could be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

The five years starts at the beginning of the calendar year in which you do the conversion. So even if you don’t do the conversion until, say, December 2024, the five years still begins in January 2024. That means you could withdraw your funds in January 2029.

Also, if you complete separate Roth IRA conversions in different years, the 5-year rule would apply to each of them, so keep this in mind.

💡 Quick Tip: How much does it cost to set up an IRA? Often there are no fees to open an IRA, but you typically pay investment costs for the securities in your portfolio.

Is Converting to a Roth IRA Right for You?

Doing a Roth IRA conversion means paying taxes now on the funds you are converting in order to withdraw money tax-free in retirement. Here’s how to decide if converting a Roth IRA may be right for you

Reasons For

If you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you’re in now, a Roth IRA conversion may make sense for you. That’s because you’ll pay taxes on the money now at a lower rate, rather than paying them when you retire, when you expect your tax rate will be higher.

In addition, with a Roth IRA, you won’t have to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) every year after the age of 73 as you would with a traditional IRA. Instead, the money can stay right in the account — where it may continue to grow — until it’s actually needed.

If your income is too high for you to be eligible for a Roth IRA, a Roth IRA conversion might be beneficial through a backdoor IRA. You will just need to put your funds into a traditional IRA first and pay the taxes on them.

Finally, if you won’t need the funds in your Roth IRA for at least five years, a conversion may also be worth considering.

Reasons Against

A Roth IRA conversion may not be the best fit for those who are nearing retirement and need their retirement savings to live on. In this case, you might not be able to recoup the taxes you’d need to pay for doing the conversion.

Additionally, if you receive Social Security or Medicare benefits, a Roth IRA conversion would increase your taxable income, which could increase the taxes you pay on Social Security. The cost of your Medicare benefits might also increase.

Those who don’t have the money readily available to pay the taxes required by the conversion should also think twice about an IRA conversion.

And if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement, a conversion also likely doesn’t make sense for you.

Finally, if you think you might need to withdraw funds from your account within five years, and you’re under age 59 ½, you could be subject to an early withdrawal penalty if you convert to a Roth IRA.

The Takeaway

A Roth IRA conversion may help individuals save on taxes because they can make qualified withdrawals tax-free withdrawals in retirement. For those who expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, a Roth IRA may be worth considering.

It’s important to be aware of the tradeoffs involved, especially the amount of taxes you might have to pay in order to do the conversion. Making the right decisions now can help you reach your financial goals as you plan and save for retirement.

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FAQ

How much tax do you pay on a Roth IRA conversion?

You pay tax on the money you convert, but the specific amount of tax you’ll pay depends on the marginal tax rate you’re in. Before doing a Roth IRA conversion, you may want to calculate to see if the funds you’re converting will put you into a higher tax bracket.

How many Roth iRA conversions are allowed per year?

There is no limit to the number of Roth conversions you can do in one year.

When is the deadline for Roth IRA conversions?

The deadline for a Roth IRA conversion is December 31 of the year you’re doing the conversion.

Is there a loophole for Roth IRA conversions?

A backdoor IRA might be considered a loophole for a Roth IRA conversion. Roth IRAs have contribution phase-out ranges, and individuals whose income exceeds those limits cannot contribute to a Roth fully or at all. However, a backdoor IRA may be a way to get around the income limits. To do it, you will need to have a traditional IRA that you convert to a Roth IRA.

How do I avoid taxes on Roth conversion?

You cannot avoid paying taxes on a Roth conversion. You must pay taxes on the money you convert.

How do you not lose money in a Roth IRA conversion?

To reduce the tax impact of a Roth IRA conversion, you may want to split the conversion into multiple conversions of smaller amounts over several years. If possible, try to do the conversions in years when your taxable income is lower.

Do you have to pay taxes immediately on Roth conversion?

Taxes on a Roth conversion are not due until the tax deadline of the following year.

Should a 65 year old do a Roth conversion?

It depends on an individual’s specific situation, but a Roth conversion may not make sense for a 65 year old if they need to live off their retirement savings or if they are receiving Social Security or Medicare benefits. A Roth IRA conversion could increase the taxes they pay on Social Security, and the cost of their Medicare benefits might rise.

Does a Roth conversion affect my Social Security?

It might. A Roth IRA conversion increases your taxable income, which could potentially increase the taxes you pay on Social Security.

Does a Roth conversion affect Medicare premiums?

A Roth IRA conversion may affect your Medicare premiums. Because it increases your taxable income, the cost of your Medicare benefits might increase as well.

What is the best Roth conversion strategy?

The best Roth conversion strategy depends on your particular situation, but in general, to help reduce your tax bill, you can aim to make the conversion in a year in which you expect your taxable income to be lower. You may also want to do multiple smaller conversions over several years, rather than one big conversion in one year, to help manage the taxes you owe.

Can you do Roth conversions after age 72?

Yes, you can do Roth conversions at any age. Some individuals may want to consider a Roth IRA conversion at 72 if they prefer to avoid paying the required minimum distributions (RMDs) for traditional IRAs that begin at age 73. If you convert before you turn 73, you will not be required to take RMDs.

How do I calculate my Roth conversion basis?

The concept of basis, or money that you’ve paid taxes on already, might be applicable if you’ve made non-deductible contributions to a tax-deferred retirement account. When you convert the money in that account, in order to calculate the percentage that’s tax-free, you need to divide your total nondeductible contributions by the end-of-year value of your IRA account plus the amount you’ve converting.

Do you have to wait 5 years for each Roth conversion?

No. There is no time limit for doing Roth conversions, and in fact, you can do as many as you like in one year. However, if you’re under age 59 ½, you do have to wait five years after each conversion to be able to withdraw money from the account without being subject to an early withdrawal penalty.


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Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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How Much Should I Contribute to My 401(k)?

Once you set up your retirement plan at work, the next natural question is: How much should I put in my 401(k)? While there’s no ironclad answer for how much to save in your employer-sponsored plan, there are some important guidelines that can help you set aside the amount that’s right for you: e.g. the tax implications, your employer match (if there is one), your own retirement goals, and more.

Here’s what you need to think about when deciding how much to contribute to your 401k.

How Much Can You Contribute to a 401(k)?

There are several factors to consider when weighing how much to contribute to a 401k account, which are detailed in the sections below. The main thing to consider off the bat, however, are the IRS contribution limits themselves.

The IRS may change the retirement contribution limits and other parameters of various retirement accounts from time to time, so it’s always a good idea to double check before you decide how much you want to contribute.

2024 vs 2023 401(k) Contribution Limits

Like most tax-advantaged retirement plans — e.g. 403bs, 457 plans, different types of IRAs — 401k plans come with caps on how much you can contribute. The IRS puts restrictions on the amount that you, the employee, can save in your 401k; plus there is a cap on total employee-plus-employer contributions.

For tax year 2024, the contribution limit is $23,000, with an additional $7,500 catch-up provision for those 50 and older, for a total of $30,500. The combined employer-plus-employee contribution limit for 2024 is $69,000 ($76,500 with the catch-up amount).

For tax year 2023, the contribution limit is $22,500, with an additional $7,500 catch-up provision for those 50 and older, for a total of $30,000. The combined employer-plus-employee contribution limit for 2024 is $66,000 ($73,500 with the catch-up amount).

401(k) Contribution Limits 2024 vs 2023

2024

2023

Basic contribution $23,000 $22,500
Catch-up contribution $7,500 $7,500
Total + catch-up $30,500 $30,000
Employer + Employee maximum contribution $69,000 $66,000
Employer + employee max + catch-up $76,500 $73,500

How Much Should You Put Toward a 401(k)?

Next you may be wondering, Ok, those are the limits, but how much should I put in my 401k?

One rule-of-thumb is to save at least 10% of your annual income for retirement. So if you earn $100,000, you’d aim to set aside at least $10,000. But 10% is only a general guideline. In some cases, depending on your income and other factors, 10% may not be enough to get you on track for a secure retirement, and many experts suggest aiming for 15% or even 20% — to make sure your savings will last given the cost of living longer.

In addition, you may want to consider the following:

•   Are you the sole or primary household earner?

•   Are you saving for your retirement alone, or for your spouse’s/partner’s retirement as well?

•   When do you and your spouse/partner want to retire?

If you are the primary earner, and the amount you’re saving is meant to cover retirement for two, that’s a different equation than if you were covering just your own retirement. In this case, you might want to save more than 10%.

However, if you’re not the primary earner and/or your spouse also has a retirement account, setting aside 10% might be adequate. For example, if the two of you are each saving 10%, for a combined 20% of your gross income, that may be sufficient for your retirement needs.

All of this should be considered in light of when you hope to retire, as that deadline would also impact how much you might save as well as how much you might need to spend.

Here are some other factors that should be weighed carefully as you decide how much to save in a 401k.

Factors That May Impact Your Decision

Before you decide to go with the general rule-of-thumb above, it’s wise to think about taxes, your employer contribution, your own goals, and more.

1. The Tax Effect

The key fact to remember about 401k plans is that they are tax-deferred accounts, and they are considered qualified retirement plans under ERISA (Employment Retirement Income Security Act) rules.

That means: The money you set aside is typically deducted from your paycheck pre-tax, and it grows in the account tax free — but you pay taxes on any money you withdraw. (In most cases, you’ll withdraw the money for retirement expenses, but there are some cases where you might have to take an early 401(k) withdrawal. In either case, you’ll owe taxes on those distributions, as they’re called.)

The tax implications are important here because the money you contribute effectively reduces your taxable income for that year, and potentially lowers your tax bill.

Let’s imagine that you’re earning $100,000 per year, and you’re able to save the full $22,500 allowed by the IRS for 2023. Your taxable income would be reduced from $100,000 to $77,500, thus putting you in a lower tax bracket.

2. The Employer Match

Some employers offer a matching contribution, where they “match” part of the amount you’re saving and add that to your 401k account. A common employer match might be 50% up to the first 6% you save.

In that scenario, let’s say you save 10% of your $100,000 salary, or $10,000 per year. But your employer might match 50% of the first 6% ($6,000), which comes to $3,000. So the total would be $13,000.

If your employer does offer a match, you likely want to save at least up to the matching amount, so you get the full employer contribution. It’s free money, as they say.

3. Your Retirement Goals

What sort of retirement do you envision for yourself? Even if you’re years away from retirement, it’s a good idea to sit down and imagine what your later years might look like. These retirement dreams and goals can inform the amount you want to save.

Goals may include thoughts of travel, moving to another country, starting your own small business, offering financial help to your family, leaving a legacy, and more.

You may also want to consider health factors, as health costs and the need for long-term care can be a big expense as you age.

4. Do You Have Debt?

It can be hard to prioritize saving if you have debt. You may want to pay off your debt as quickly as possible, then turn your attention toward saving for the future.

The reality is, though, that debt and savings are both priorities and need to be balanced. It’s not ideal to put one above the other, but rather to find ways to keep saving even small amounts as you work to get out of debt.

Then, as you pay down the money you owe — whether from credit cards or student loans or another source — you can take the cash that frees up and add that to your savings.

Consider 401(k) Alternatives Like an IRA

You don’t have to limit your savings to your 401k. You may also be able to save in other retirement vehicles, like a traditional IRA or Roth IRA.

Can you contribute to 401k and IRA plans simultaneously? For example, if you’re already contributing to a 401k plan at work, you may be wondering if you can also save money in an IRA.

Or maybe you opened an IRA in college, but now you’re starting your career and have access to a 401k. Does it make sense to keep making contributions if you’ll soon be enrolled in your employer’s retirement plan?

Contributing to a Traditional IRA and a 401(k)

The short answer is yes, according to the IRS you can contribute to a 401k at work and a traditional IRA. But there are limits on the amount of IRA contributions you can deduct in this scenario. You can deduct the full amount of your IRA contributions if:

•   You file single or head of household and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is $73,000 or less.

•   You’re married filing jointly with a MAGI of $116,000 or less.

For incomes over these limits, the amount you can deduct phases out gradually.

Contributing to a Roth IRA and a 401(k)

Can you have a Roth IRA and a 401k? You fund a Roth IRA with after-tax dollars, meaning you don’t get the benefit of deducting the amount you contribute from your current year’s taxes. The upside of Roth accounts, though, is that qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax free.

But there’s a catch: Your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA is based on your income. So how much you earn — not necessarily whether you have a 401k at work — could be a deciding factor in answering the question, can you have a Roth IRA and 401k at the same time.

The rules for combining a 401k account with an IRA can be complicated. It’s best to consult a professional.

The Takeaway

Many people wonder: How much should I contribute to my 401k? There are a number of factors that will influence your decision. First, there are the contribution limits imposed by the IRS. In 2023, the maximum contribution you can make to your 401k is $22,500, plus an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution if you’re 50 and up.

While few people can start their 401k journey by saving quite that much, it’s also possible to follow the common guideline and save 10% of your income. From there, you can work up to saving the max. In fact, many plans offer an automatic savings increase that bumps up your savings rate by a small amount, like 1% per year.

In addition, you’ll want to consider whether your employer offers a matching contribution — and at least save that amount, to get the additional funds from your company.

Of course, the main determination of the amount you need to save is what your goals are for the future. This is where you should focus, because saving is never easy. But by contemplating what you want to spend money on now, and the quality of life you’d like when you’re older, you can make trade-offs.

If you’re ready to open an IRA or start investing for retirement on your own, it’s easy when you open a SoFi Invest® account. You can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and fractional shares. And SoFi members are entitled to complimentary financial advice from professionals who can help answer your questions.


SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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401(k) Catch-Up Contributions: What Are They & How Do They Work?

401(k) Catch-Up Contributions: What Are They & How Do They Work?

Retirement savers age 50 and older get to put extra tax-advantaged money into their 401(k) accounts beyond the standard annual contribution limits. Those additional savings are known as “catch-up contributions.”

If you have a 401(k) at work, taking advantage of catch-up contributions is key to making the most of your plan, especially as retirement approaches. Here’s a closer look at how 401(k) catch-up limits work.

What Is 401(k) Catch-Up?

A 401(k) is a type of defined contribution plan. This means the amount you can withdraw in retirement depends on how much you contribute during your working years, along with any employer matching contributions you may receive, as well as how those funds grow over time.

There are limits on how much employees can contribute to their 401(k) plan each year as well as limits on the total amount that employers can contribute. The regular employee contribution limit is $22,500 for 2023 and $23,000 for 2024. This is the maximum amount you can defer from your paychecks into your plan — unless you’re eligible to make catch-up contributions.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 414(v), a catch-up contribution is defined as a contribution in excess of the annual elective salary deferral limit. For 2023 and 2024, the 401(k) catch-up contribution limit is $7,500.

That means if you’re eligible to make these contributions, you would need to put a total of $30,000 in your 401(k) in 2023 to max out the account and $30,500 in 2024. That doesn’t include anything your employer matches.

Congress authorized catch-up contributions for retirement plans as part of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA). The legislation aimed to help older savers “catch up” and avoid falling short of their retirement goals, so they can better cover typical retirement expenses and enjoy their golden years.

Originally created as a temporary measure, catch-up contributions became a permanent feature of 401(k) and other retirement plans following the passage of the Pension Protection Act in 2006.

Who Is Eligible for 401(k) Catch-Up?

To make catch-up contributions to a 401(k), you must be age 50 or older and enrolled in a plan that allows catch-up contributions, such as a 401(k).

The clock starts ticking the year you turn 50. So even if you don’t turn 50 until December 31, you could still make 401(k) catch-up contributions for that year, assuming your plan follows a standard calendar year.

Making Catch-Up Contributions

If you know that you’re eligible to make 401(k) catch-up contributions, the next step is coordinating those contributions. This is something with which your plan administrator, benefits coordinator, or human resources director can help.

Assuming you’ve maxed out your 401(k) regular contribution limit, you’d have to decide how much more you want to add for catch-up contributions and adjust your elective salary deferrals accordingly. Remember, the regular deadline for making 401(k) contributions each year is December 31.

It’s possible to make catch-up contributions whether you have a traditional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k), as long as your plan allows them. The main difference between these types of plans is tax treatment.

•   You fund a traditional 401(k) with pre-tax dollars, including anything you save through catch-up contributions. That means you’ll pay ordinary income tax on earnings when you withdraw money in retirement.

•   With a Roth 401(k), regular contributions and catch-up contributions use after-tax dollars. This allows you to withdraw earnings tax-free in retirement, which is a valuable benefit if you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket when you retire.

You can also make catch-up contributions to a solo 401(k), a type of 401(k) used by sole proprietorships or business owners who only employ their spouse. This type of plan observes the same annual contribution limits and catch-up contribution limits as employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. You can choose whether your solo 401(k) follows traditional 401(k) rules or Roth 401(k) rules for tax purposes.

401(k) Catch-Up Contribution Limits

Those aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions not only to their 401(k) accounts, but also to other types of retirement accounts, including 403(b) plans, 457 plans, SIMPLE IRAs, and traditional or Roth IRAs.

The IRS determines how much to allow for elective salary deferrals, catch-up contributions, and aggregate employer and employee contributions to retirement accounts, periodically adjusting those amounts for inflation. Here’s how the IRS retirement plan contribution limits for 2023 add up:

Retirement Plan Contribution Limits in 2023

Annual Contribution Catch Up Contribution Total Contribution for 50 and older
Traditional, Roth and solo 401(k) plans; 403(b) and 457 plans $22,500 $7,500 $30,000
Defined Contribution Maximum, including employer contributions $66,000 $7,500 $73,500
SIMPLE IRA $15,000 $3,500 $18,500
Traditional and Roth IRA $6,500 $1,000 $7,500

These amounts only include what you contribute to your plan or, in the case of the defined contribution maximum, what your employer contributes as a match. Any earnings realized from your plan investments don’t count toward your annual or catch-up contribution limits.

Also keep in mind that employer contributions may be subject to your company’s vesting schedule, meaning you don’t own them until you’ve reached certain employment milestones.

💡 Recommended: How to Open Your First IRA

Tax Benefits of Making Catch-Up Contributions

Catch-up contributions to 401(k) retirement savings allow you to save more money in a tax-advantaged way. The additional money you can set aside to “catch up” on your 401(k) progress enables you to save on taxes now, as you won’t pay taxes on the amount you contribute until you withdraw it in retirement. These savings can add up if you’re currently in a high tax bracket, offsetting some of the work of saving extra.

The amount you contribute will also grow tax-deferred, and making catch-up contributions can result in a sizable difference in the size of your 401(k) by the time you retire. Let’s say you start maxing out your 401(k) plus catch-up contributions as soon as you turn 50, continuing that until you retire at age 65. That would be 15 years of thousands of extra dollars saved annually.

Those extra savings, thanks to catch-up contributions, could easily cross into six figures of added retirement savings and help compensate for any earlier lags in saving, such as if you were far off from hitting the suggested 401(k) amount by 30.

Roth 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions

The maximum amount you can contribute to a Roth 401(k) is the same as it is for a traditional 401(k): $22,500 and, if you’re 50 or older, $7,500 in catch-up contributions, as of 2023. For 2024, it is $23,000 and, if you’re 50 or older, $7,500 in catch-up contributions. This means that if you’re age 50 and up, you are able to contribute a total of $30,000 to your Roth 401(k) in 2023 and $30,500 in 2024.

If your employer offers both traditional and Roth 401(k) plans, you may be able to contribute to both, and some may even match Roth 401(k) contributions. Taking advantage of both types of accounts can allow you to diversify your retirement savings, giving you some money that you can withdraw tax-free and another account that’s grown tax-deferred.

However, if you have both types of 401(k) plans, keep in mind while managing your 401(k) that the contribution limit applies across both accounts. In other words, you can’t the maximum amount to each 401(k) — rather, they’d share that limit.

The Takeaway

Putting money into a 401(k) account through payroll deductions is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money for your retirement. To determine how much you need to put into that account, it helps to know how much you need to save for retirement. If you start early, you may not need to make catch-up contributions. But if you’re 50 or older, taking advantage of 401(k) catch-up contributions is a great way to turbocharge your tax-advantaged retirement savings.

Of course, you can also add to your retirement savings with an IRA. While a 401(k) has its advantages, including automatic savings and a potential employer match, it’s not the only way to grow retirement wealth. If you’re interested in a traditional, Roth, or SEP IRA, you can easily open an IRA account on the SoFi Invest® brokerage platform. If you’re age 50 or older, those accounts will also provide an opportunity for catch-up contributions.

Help grow your nest egg with a SoFi IRA.

FAQ

How does the 401(k) catch-up work?

401(k) catch-up contributions allow you to increase the amount you are allowed to contribute to your 401(k) plan on an annual basis. Available to those aged 50 and older who are enrolled in an eligible plan, these catch-contributions are intended to help older savers meet their retirement goals.

What is the 401(k) catch-up amount in 2023?

For 2023, the 401(k) catch-up contribution limit is $7,500.


Photo credit: iStock/1001Love

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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