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Jan

2025

Roth 401(k) vs Traditional 401(k): Which Is Best for You?

By AJ Smith | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Preparing for Retirement | Comments Off

A traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k) are tax-advantaged retirement plans that can help you save for retirement. While both types of accounts follow similar rules — they have the same contribution limits, for example — the impact of a Roth 401(k) vs. traditional 401(k) on your tax situation, now and in the future, may be quite different.

In brief: The contributions you make to a traditional 401(k) are deducted from your gross income, and thus may help lower your tax bill. But you’ll owe taxes on the money you withdraw later for retirement.

Conversely, you contribute after-tax funds to a Roth 401(k) and can typically withdraw the money tax free in retirement — but you don’t get a tax break now.

To help choose between a Roth 401(k) vs. a traditional 401(k) — or whether it might make sense to invest in both, if your employer offers that option — it helps to know what these accounts are all about.

Key Points

• Traditional 401(k) contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, reducing taxable income for the year of contribution.

• Roth 401(k) contributions are made with after-tax dollars, offering tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

• Withdrawals from traditional 401(k)s are taxed as income, whereas Roth 401(k) withdrawals are tax-free if rules are followed.

• Early withdrawals from both accounts may incur taxes and penalties, though Roth contributions can be withdrawn tax-free.

• Starting January 2024, Roth 401(k)s are not subject to required minimum distributions, unlike traditional 401(k)s.

5 Key Differences Between Roth 401(k) vs Traditional 401(k)

Before deciding on a Roth 401(k) or traditional 401(k), it’s important to understand the differences between each account, and to consider the tax benefits of each in light of your own financial plan. The timing of the tax advantages of each type of account is also important to weigh.

1. How Each Account is Funded

• A traditional 401(k) allows individuals to make pre-tax contributions. These contributions are typically made through elective salary deferrals that come directly from an employee’s paycheck and are deducted from their gross income.

• Employees contribute to a Roth 401(k) also generally via elective salary deferrals, but they are using after-tax dollars. So the money the employee contributes to a Roth 401(k) cannot be deducted from their current income.

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2. Tax Treatment of Contributions

• The contributions to a traditional 401(k) are tax-deductible, which means they can reduce your taxable income now, and they grow tax-deferred (but you’ll owe taxes later).

• By contrast, since you’ve already paid taxes on the money you contribute to a Roth 401(k), the money you contribute isn’t deductible from your gross income, and withdrawals are generally tax free (some exceptions below).

3. Withdrawal Rules

• You can begin taking qualified withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) starting at age 59 ½, and the money you withdraw is taxed at ordinary income rates.

• To withdraw contributions + earnings tax free from a Roth 401(k) you must be 59 ½ and have held the account for at least five years (often called the 5-year rule). If you open a Roth 401(k) when you’re 57, you cannot take tax-free withdrawals at 59 ½, as you would with a traditional 401(k). You’d have to wait until five years had passed, and start tax-free withdrawals at age 62.

4. Early Withdrawal Rules

• Early withdrawals from a 401(k) before age 59 ½ are subject to tax and a 10% penalty in most cases, but there are some exceptions where early withdrawals are not penalized, including certain medical expenses; a down payment on a first home; qualified education expenses.

You may also be able to take a hardship withdrawal penalty-free, but you need to meet the criteria, and you would still owe taxes on the money you withdrew.

• Early withdrawals from a Roth 401(k) are more complicated. You can withdraw your contributions at any time, but you’ll owe tax proportional to your earnings, which are taxable when you withdraw before age 59 ½.

For example: If you have $100,000 in a Roth 401(k), including $90,000 in contributions and $10,000 in taxable gains, the gains represent a 10% of the account. Therefore, if you took a $20,000 early withdrawal, you’d owe taxes on 10% to account for the gains, or $2,000.

5. Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Rules

With a traditional 401(k), individuals must take required minimum distributions starting at age 73, or face potential penalties. While Roth 401(k)s used to have RMDs, as of January 2024, they no longer do. That means you are not required to withdraw RMDs from a Roth 401(k) account.

For a quick side-by-side comparison, here are the key differences of a Roth 401(k) vs. traditional 401(k):

Traditional 401(k)	Roth 401(k)
Funded with pre-tax dollars.	Funded with after-tax dollars.
Contributions are deducted from gross income and may lower your tax bill.	Contributions are not deductible.
All withdrawals taxed as income.	Withdrawals of contributions + earnings are tax free after 59 ½, if you’ve had the account for at least 5 years. (However, matching contributions from an employer made with pre-tax dollars are subject to tax.)
Early withdrawals before age 59 ½ are taxed as income and are typically subject to a 10% penalty, with some exceptions.	Early withdrawals of contributions are not taxed, but earnings may be taxed and subject to a 10% penalty.
Account subject to RMD rules starting at age 73.	No longer subject to RMD rules as of January 2024.

Bear in mind that a traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k) also share many features in common:

• The annual contribution limits are the same for a 401(k) and a Roth 401(k). For 2024, the total amount you can contribute to these employer-sponsored accounts is $23,000; if you’re 50 and older you can save an additional $7,500 for a total of $30,500. The 2025 limit is capped at $23,500; $31,000 if you’re 50 and older. Those aged 60 to 63 may contribute a total of $34,750 in 2025, thanks to SECURE 2.0.

• For both accounts, employers may contribute matching funds up to a certain percentage of an employee’s salary.

• In 2024, total contributions from employer and employee cannot exceed $69,000 ($76,500 for those 50 and up). In 2025, total contributions from employer and employee cannot exceed $70,000 ($77,500 for those 50 and up, and $81,250 for those 60 to 63).

• Employees may take out a loan from either type of account, subject to IRS restrictions and plan rules.

Because there are certain overlaps between the two accounts, as well as many points of contrast, it’s wise to consult with a professional when making a tax-related plan.

How to Choose Between a Roth and a Traditional 401(k)

In some cases it might make sense to contribute to both types of accounts (more on that below), but in other cases you may want to choose either a traditional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k) to maximize the specific advantages of one account over another. Here are some considerations.

When to Pay Taxes

Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed at an individual’s ordinary income tax rate, typically in retirement. As a result these plans can be most tax efficient for those who will have a lower marginal rate after they retire than they did while they were working.

In other words, a traditional 401(k) may help you save on taxes now, if you’re in a higher tax bracket — and then pay lower taxes in retirement, when you’re ideally in a lower tax bracket.

On the other hand, an investor might look into the Roth 401(k) option if they feel that they pay lower taxes now than they will in retirement. In that case, you’d potentially pay lower taxes on your contributions now, and none on your withdrawals in retirement.

Your Age

Often, younger taxpayers may be in a lower tax bracket. If that’s the case, contributing to a Roth 401(k) may make more sense for the same reason above: because you’ll pay a lower rate on your contributions now, but then they’re completely tax free in retirement.

If you’re older, perhaps mid-career, and in a higher tax bracket, a traditional 401(k) might help lower your tax burden now (and if your tax rate is lower when you retire, even better, as you’d pay taxes on withdrawals but at a lower rate).

Where You Live

The tax rates where you live, or where you plan to live when you retire, are also a big factor to consider. Of course your location some years from now, or decades from now, can be difficult to predict (to say the least). But if you expect that you might be living in an area with lower taxes than you are now, e.g. a state with no state taxes, it might make sense to contribute to a traditional 401(k) and take the tax break now, since your withdrawals may be taxed at a lower rate.

The Benefits of Investing in Both a Roth 401(k) and Traditional 401(k)

If an employer offers both a traditional and Roth 401(k) options, employees might have the option of contributing to both, thus taking advantage of the pros of each type of account. In many respects, this could be a wise choice.

Divvying up contributions between both types of accounts allows for greater flexibility in tax planning down the road. Upon retirement, an individual can choose whether to withdraw money from their tax-free 401(k) account or the traditional, taxable 401(k) account each year, to help manage their taxable income.

It is important to note that the $23,000 contribution limit ($30,500 for those 50 and older) for 2024 is a total limit on both accounts.

So, for instance, you might choose to save $13,500 in a traditional 401(k) and $9,500 in a Roth 401(k) for the year. You are not permitted to save $23,000 in each account.

What’s the Best Split Between Roth and Traditional 401(k)?

The best split between a Roth 401(k) and a traditional 401(k) depends on your individual financial situation and what might work best for you from a tax perspective. You may want to do an even split of the $23,000 limit you can contribute in 2024. Or, if you’re in a higher tax bracket now than you expect to be in retirement, you might decide that it makes more sense for you to put more into your traditional 401(k) to help lower your taxable income now. But if you expect to be in a higher income tax bracket in retirement, you may want to put more into your Roth 401(k).

Consider all the possibilities and implications before you decide. You may also want to consult a tax professional.

The Takeaway

Employer-sponsored Roth and traditional 401(k) plans offer investors many options when it comes to their financial goals. Because a traditional 401(k) can help lower your tax bill now, and a Roth 401(k) generally offers a tax-free income stream later — it’s important for investors to consider the tax advantages of both, the timing of those tax benefits, and whether these accounts have to be mutually exclusive or if it might benefit you to have both.

When it comes to retirement plans, investors don’t necessarily have to decide between a Roth or traditional 401(k). Some might choose one of these investment accounts, while others might find a combination of plans suits their goals. After all, it can be difficult to predict your financial circumstances with complete accuracy — especially when it comes to tax planning — so you may decide to hedge your bets and contribute to both types of accounts, if your employer offers that option.

Another step to consider is a 401(k) rollover, where you move funds from an old 401(k) into an IRA. When you do a 401(k) rollover it can help you manage your retirement funds.

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FAQ

Is it better to contribute to 401(k) or Roth 401(k)?

Whether it’s better to contribute to a traditional 401(k) or Roth 401(k) depends on your particular financial situation. In general, if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement, a traditional 401(k) may make more sense for you since you’ll be able to deduct your contributions when you make them, which can lower your taxable income, and then pay taxes on the money in retirement, when you’re in a lower income tax bracket.

But if you’re in a lower tax bracket now than you think you will be later, a Roth 401(k) might be the preferred option for you because you’ll generally withdraw the money tax-free in retirement.

Can I max out both 401(k) and Roth 401(k)?

No, you cannot max out both accounts. Per IRS rules, the annual 401(k) limits apply across all your 401(k) accounts combined. So for 2024, you can contribute a combined amount up to $23,000 (or $30,500 if you’re 50 or older) to your Roth 401(k) and your traditional 401(k) accounts.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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.

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

Jan

2025

Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan: What Is It? Is It for You?

By Ashley Kilroy | Growing Wealth, Investing, Preparing for Retirement | Comments Off

Safe harbor 401(k) plans enable companies to avoid the annual IRS testing that comes with traditional 401(k) plans. With a safe harbor 401(k), an employer makes mandatory contributions to all employees’ retirement accounts, and those funds vest immediately.

Often a perk used to attract top talent, safe harbor 401(k) plans are a way for highly compensated employees, like company executives and owners, to save more than a traditional 401(k) plan would normally allow.

Keep reading to learn more about safe harbor rules, why companies use these plans, along with the benefits, drawbacks, and relevant deadlines.

Key Points

• Like a traditional 401(k), a safe harbor 401(k) lets employees deposit tax-deferred funds from their paychecks into a retirement savings account.

• Employers are required to contribute to employees’ safe harbor 401(k) accounts.

• Employer contributions in a safe harbor 401(k) vest immediately. There is no waiting period.

• Highly-paid employees can contribute more to a safe harbor 401(k) than a traditional 40(k).

• Safe harbor 401(k) plans allow companies to skip the annual nondiscrimination regulatory testing required by the IRS for traditional 401(k)s.

What Is a Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan?

A 401(k) safe harbor plan is similar to a traditional 401(k) plan — but with a twist. In both cases, eligible employees can use the plan to contribute pre-tax funds to a retirement account and employers may contribute matching funds.

But with a traditional 401(k) retirement plan, companies must submit to annual nondiscrimination regulatory testing by the IRS to ensure that the company plan doesn’t treat highly compensated employees (HCEs) more favorably than others. HCEs are generally defined as earning at least $155,000 in the 2024 tax year and $160,000 in the 2025 tax year, and being in the company’s top 20% in pay, or owning more than 5% of the business. The testing process is complex and can be a burden for some companies.

An alternative is to set up a safe harbor 401(k) plan with a safe harbor match. This allows a company to skip the annual IRS testing — and avoid imposing restrictions on employee saving — by providing the same 401(k) contributions to all employees, regardless of title, salary, or even years spent at the company. And those funds must vest immediately.

This is an important benefit, because in many cases, employer contributions to traditional 401(k) plans vest over time, requiring employees to stay with the company for some years in order to get the full value of the employer match. Often, if you leave before the employer contributions or match have vested, you may forfeit them.

For smaller companies, it may be worth making the extra safe harbor match contributions in order to avoid the time and expense of the IRS’s annual nondiscrimination testing. For larger companies, giving all employees the same percentage contribution could be expensive. But the upside is that highly paid employees can then make much larger 401(k) contributions without running afoul of IRS rules, a real perk for company leaders. In addition, 401(k) safe harbor plans are typically less expensive to set up than traditional plans.

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Traditional 401(k) vs Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans

While safe harbor 401(k)s and traditional 401(k) plans are similar in many ways, there are some important differences that employers should be aware of.

For instance, with traditional 401(k) plans, contributions from highly compensated employees can’t comprise more than 2% of the average of all other employee contributions, in addition to other restrictions. However, with safe harbor 401(k) plans, those limits don’t apply.

Comparing Plan Features and Benefits

Here is a side-by-side comparison of a safe harbor 401(k) vs. a traditional 401(k)

Safe Harbor 401(k)	Traditional 401(k)
Employer contributions are required.	Employer contributions are optional.
Employer contributions are vested immediately.	Employer contributions may vest over time.
Highly-paid employees can contribute up to the $23,000 maximum in tax year 2024 and up to $23,500 in 2025.	Highly-paid employees can be limited in how much they can contribute.
Companies do not have to do annual nondiscrimination testing.	Companies must do annual nondiscrimination testing.

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Business

A safe harbor plan may be beneficial for some smaller companies that can’t afford the expense of nondiscrimination testing. In addition, the plan is simpler with less administrative tasks.

A company might also choose a safe harbor 401(k) if it has some key high-earning employees that make up a large share of the workforce.

However, if your company is able to easily manage the nondiscrimination testing process, you may want to opt for a traditional 401(k). A traditional 401(k) could also be a good option for business owners who want to try to retain employees over the long-term. They could set up a vesting schedule for employer contributions that requires employees to be with the company for three years before becoming fully vested, for instance.

Setting Up a Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan

For employers interested in using a safe harbor 401(k), there are some general rules and guidelines they will need to follow.

Requirements, Contribution Formulas, and Deadlines

To fulfill the safe harbor 401(k) requirements, the employer must make qualifying 401(k) contributions (a.k.a. the safe harbor match) that vest immediately. The company contributes to employees’ retirement accounts in one of three ways:

• Non-elective: The company contributes the equivalent of 3% of each employee’s annual salary to a company 401(k) plan, regardless of whether the employee contributes.

• Basic: The company offers 100% matching for the first 3% of an employee’s 401(k) plan contributions, plus a 50% match for up to 5% of an employee’s contributions.

• Enhanced: The company offers a 100% company match for all employee 401(k) contributions, up to 4% of a staffer’s annual salary.

Companies that opt for a safe harbor 401(k) plan have to adhere to strict compliance filing deadlines. These are the dates worth knowing.

October 1: That’s the deadline for filing for a safe harbor 401(k) for the current calendar year. This deadline meets the government criteria of a company needing to have a safe harbor 401(k) in operation for at least three months in a 12 month period, for the first year operating a safe harbor plan.

December 1: By this date, all companies — whether they’re rolling out a brand new safe harbor plan or are administering an existing one — must issue a formal notice to employees that a safe harbor 401(k) will be offered to company staffers.

January 1: The date that all safe harbor 401(k) plans are activated. For companies that currently have no 401(k) plan at all, they can roll out either a traditional 401(k) plan or a safe harbor 401(k) plan at any point in the year, for that calendar year.

Advantages of Implementing a Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan

Safe harbor 401(k)s offer some distinct upsides for business owners and employees alike.

Benefits for Employers and Employees

By creating a safe harbor 401(k) plan, a business owner can potentially attract and maintain highly skilled employees. Employees are attracted to higher retirement plan contributions and the ability to optimize retirement plan contribution amounts, ensuring more money for long-term retirement savings.

Plus, a safe harbor 401(k) plan can also help business owners save money on the compliance end of the spectrum. For example, companies save on regulatory costs by avoiding the costs of preparing for a nondiscrimination test (and the staff hours and training that goes with it).

There are some additional upsides to offering a safe harbor 401(k) retirement plan, for higher paid employees and regular staff too.

• Playing catch up. If a company owner, or high-level managers, historically haven’t stowed enough money away in a company retirement plan, a safe harbor 401(k) plan can help them catch up. The same may be true, although to a lesser degree, for regular employees.

• The spread of profit. Suppose a company has a steady and robust revenue stream and is managed efficiently. In that case, company owners may feel comfortable “spreading the wealth” with not only high-profile talent but rank-and-file employees, too.

• Encourage retirement savings. If a company is seeing weak contribution activity from its rank-and-file employees, it may feel more comfortable going the safe harbor route and at least guaranteeing minimum 401(k) contributions to employees while rewarding higher-value employees with more lucrative 401(k) plan contributions.

Disadvantages of Safe Harbor Plans

Safe harbor 401(k) plans have their downsides, too. Here are some drawbacks to consider.

Financial Implications for Employers

The matching contribution requirements for safe harbor 401(k)s can add up to a hefty expense, depending on employee salaries. And because employees are vested immediately, there’s no incentive to stay with the company for a certain period.

In addition, if a company introduces a safe harbor 401(k) plan, it must commit to it for one calendar year, no matter how the plan is performing internally. Even after a year, 401(k) plan providers (which administer and manage the retirement plans) may charge a termination fee if a company decides to pull the plug on its safe harbor plan after one year.

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Safe Harbor 401(k) Contribution Limits and Match Types

There are some different rules for employer contribution limits and matching with a safe harbor 401(k) vs. a traditional 401(k).

Understanding Contribution Limits

Just like traditional 401(k) plans, the maximum employee contribution limit for a safe harbor plan is $23,000 in 2024 and $23,500 in 2025. If you are over 50, you would be eligible for an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution, if your plan allows it.

For 2025, those aged 60 to 63 may contribute an additional $11,250 (instead of $7,500) to their 401(k) plan.

But in a safe harbor plan, a company owner can reserve the maximum $23,000 in 2024 for their annual plan contribution, $23,500 for 2025, and also boost contribution payments to valued team members up to an individual profit-sharing maximum amount of 100% of their compensation, or $69,000 (76,500 for those over age 50) — whichever is less.

For 2025, the total allowed is 100% of compensation or $70,000, whichever is less. For those 50 and up the cap is $77,500 with the standard catch-up, and $81,250 with the SECURE 2.0 catch-up for those ages 60 to 63 only — whichever amount is lower. Employer rules about catch-up provisions may vary, so be sure to ask.

Regular employees are allowed the standard maximum contribution limit of $23,000 in 2024, $23,500 in 2025; plus anyone over age 50 can contribute an extra “catch-up” amount of $7,500. Those are the same maximum contribution ceilings as regular 401(k) plans. For 2025, those aged 60 to 63 only may contribute an additional $11,250 instead of $7,500, thanks to SECURE 2.0.

Different Types of Employer Matching Contributions

As mentioned earlier, with a safe harbor 401(k), an employer must make qualifying 401(k) contributions that vest immediately in one of these ways:

• Non-elective: The company contributes the equivalent of 3% of each employee’s annual salary to a company 401(k) plan.

• Basic: The company matches 100% for the first 3% of an employee’s 401(k) plan contributions, plus a 50% match for the following 2% of their contributions.

• Enhanced: The company provides a 100% company match for all employee 401(k) contributions, up to 4% of a staffer’s annual salary.

IRS Compliance Testing and Safe Harbor Provisions

To help understand the benefit of safe harbor plans, it helps to see what employers with traditional 401(k) plans face in terms of following IRS rules and submitting to the annual nondiscrimination tests.

Navigating Non-Discrimination Testing

Each year, a company must conduct Actual Deferral Percentage (ADP), Actual Contribution Percentage (ACP), and Top Heavy tests to confirm there is no compensation discrimination.

If the company fails one of the tests, it could mean considerable administrative hassle, plus the expense of making corrections, and potentially even refunding 401(k) contributions.

Before explaining the details of each test, here’s a refresher on how the IRS defines highly compensated employees (HCEs) and non-highly compensated employees (NHCEs).

To be an HCE:

• The employee must own more than 5% of the company at any time during the current or preceding year (directly or through family attribution).

• The employee is paid over $155,000 in compensation from the employer for 2024 and $160,000 in 2025. The plan can limit these employees to the top 20% of employees who make the most money.

Employees who don’t fit these criteria are considered non-highly compensated. The nondiscrimination tests are designed to assess whether top employees are saving substantially more than the rank-and-file staffers.

• The Actual Deferral Percentage (ADP) test measures how much income highly paid employees contribute to their 401(k), versus staff employees.

• The Actual Contribution Percentage (ACP) test compares employer retirement contributions to HCEs versus the contributions to everyone else.

According to the IRS, the terms of the ADP test — which compares the amounts different employees are saving in their 401(k)s — are met if the ADP for highly compensated employees (HCE) doesn’t exceed the greater of:

• 125% of the deferral percentage for ordinary, i.e., non-highly compensated employees (NHCEs)

Or the lesser of:

• 200% of the deferral percentage for the NHCEs

• or the deferral percentage for the NHCEs plus 2%.

The ACP test is met if the deferral percentage for highly compensated employees doesn’t exceed the greater of:

• 125% of the deferral percentage for the NHCEs,

Or the lesser of:

• 200% of the deferral percentage for the group of NHCEs

• or the deferral percentage for the NHCEs plus 2%.

Last, the top-heavy test measures the value of the assets in all company 401(k) accounts, total. If the 401(k) balances of “key employees” account for more than 60% of total plan assets, the 401(k) would fail the top heavy test. The IRS defines key employees somewhat differently than highly compensated employees, although both groups are similar in that they earn more than ordinary staff.

As you can see, maintaining a traditional 401(k) plan, and meeting these requirements each year, can be a burden for some companies. Fortunately, by setting up a safe harbor 401(k) plan, a company can avoid the annual nondiscrimination tests and still provide a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

The Takeaway

Companies that don’t want the regulatory obligations of a traditional 401(k) plan, and would like to prioritize talent acquisition and employee retention may want to consider safe harbor 401(k) plans.

However, a business owner needs to weigh the pros and cons of a safe harbor 401(k) plan because, in some cases, it can be expensive for a company to maintain.

But no matter what type of 401(k) an employer decides to go with, having a retirement plan in place, with different savings and investment options, can help employees — and business owners themselves — save for the future.

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FAQ

Is a safe harbor 401(k) worth it?

Whether a safe harbor 401(k) is worth it depends on the goals of the business owner. A safe harbor 401(k) allows a company to skip the expense of nondiscrimination testing. And by creating a safe harbor 401(k) plan, a business owner may be able to attract and maintain highly skilled employees because of the higher contributions. However, the matching employer contribution requirements can add up to a high expense. A business owner needs to weigh the pros and cons of these plans.

Can I cash out my safe harbor 401(k)?

You can withdraw safe harbor 401(k) funds without penalty at age 59 ½ or if you leave your job. However, hardship withdrawals for immediate and heavy financial need may be allowed in certain circumstances. You can learn more at irs.gov.

Why would a company use a safe harbor 401(k)?

A company might use a safe harbor 401(k) to avoid the expense of nondiscrimination testing and to simplify the administration of a 401(k) plan. They might also use a safe harbor 401(k) to help attract and keep highly skilled employees.

What is an example of a safe harbor 401(k) match?

If an employer with a safe harbor 401(k) chooses to offer non-elective matching contributions, that means they contribute at least 3% of each employee’s annual salary. So if an employee makes $70,000 a year, for example, the employer would contribute $2,100 to their safe harbor 401(k) account.

About the author

Ashley Kilroy

Ashley Kilroy is a seasoned personal finance writer with 15 years of experience simplifying complex concepts for individuals seeking financial security. Her expertise has shined through in well-known publications like Rolling Stone, Forbes, SmartAsset, and Money Talks News. Read full bio.

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SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

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.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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Jan

2025

Creating an Investment Plan for Your Child

By Austin Kilham | Family Finances, invest, Investing | No Comments

From saving for college to getting a leg up on retirement, creating an investment plan for your child just makes sense. Why? Because when your kids are young, time is on their side in a really big way and it’s only smart to take advantage of it.

In addition, there are several different avenues to consider when setting up an investment plan for your kids. Each one potentially can help set them up for a stronger financial future.

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Why Invest for Your Child?

There’s a reason for the cliché, “Time is money.” The power of time combined with money may help generate growth over time.

The technical name for the advantageous combination of time + money is known as compound interest or compound growth. That means: when money earns a bit of interest or investment gains over time, that additional money also grows and the investment can slowly snowball.

Example of Compounding

Here is a simple example: If you invest $1,000, and it earns 5% per year, that’s $50 ($1,000 x 0.05 = $50). So at the end of one year you’d have $1,050.

That’s when the snowball slowly starts to grow: Now that $1,050 also earns 5%, which means the following year you’d have $1,152.50 ($1,050 x 0.05 = $52.50 + $1,050).

And that $1,152.50 would earn 5% the following year… and so on. You get the idea. It’s money earning more money.

That said, there are no guarantees any investment will grow. It’s also possible an investment can lose money. But given enough time, an investment plan you make for your child has time to recover if there are any losses or volatility over the years.

Benefits of Investing for Your Child Early On

There are other benefits to investing for your kids when they’re young. In addition to the potential snowball effect of compounding, you have the ability to set up different types of investment plans for your child to capture that potential long-term growth.

Each type of investment plan or savings account can help provide resources your child may need down the road.

• You can fund a college or educational savings plan.

• You can open an IRA for your child (individual retirement account).

• You can set up a high-yield savings account, or certificate of deposit (CD).

Even small deposits in these accounts can benefit from potential growth over time, helping to secure your child’s financial future in more than one area. And what parent doesn’t want that?

Are Gifts to Children Taxed?

The IRS does have rules about how much money you can give away before you’re subject to something called the gift tax. But before you start worrying if you’ll have to pay a gift tax on the $100 bill you slipped into your niece’s graduation card, it’s important to know that the gift tax generally only affects large gifts.

This is because there is an “annual exclusion” for the gift tax, which means that gifts up to a certain amount are not subject to the gift tax. For 2024, it’s $18,000. If you and your spouse both give money to your child (or anyone), the annual exclusion is $36,000 in 2024. For 2025, the gift tax exclusion is $19,000. If you and your spouse both give money to your child, the annual exclusion is $38,000.

That means if you’re married you can give financial gifts up to $36,000 in 2024, and up to $38,000 in 2025, without needing to report that gift to the IRS and file a gift tax return.

Also, the recipient of the gift, in this case your child, will not owe any tax.

Are There Investment Plans for Children?

Yes, there are a number of investment plans parents can open for kids these days. Depending on your child’s age, you may want to open different accounts at different times. If you have a minor child or children, you would open custodial accounts that you hold in their name until they are legally able to take over the account.

Investing for Younger Kids

One way to seed your child’s investing plan is by opening a custodial brokerage account, established through the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA).

While the assets belong to the minor child until they come of age (18 to 21, depending on the state), they’re managed by a custodian, often the parent. But opening and funding a custodial account can be a way to teach your child the basics of investing and money management.

There are no limits on how much money parents or other relatives can deposit in a custodial account, though contributions over $18,000 per year ($36,000 for married couples) would exceed the gift tax exclusion, and need to be reported to the IRS.

UGMA and UTMA custodial accounts have different rules than, say, 529 plans. Be sure to understand how these accounts work before setting one up.

Investing for Teens

Teenagers who are interested in learning more about money management as well as investing have a couple of options.

• Some brokerages also offer accounts for minor teens. The money in the account is considered theirs, but these are custodial accounts and the teenager doesn’t take control of the account until they reach the age of majority in their state (either 18 or 21).

These accounts can be supervised by the custodian, who can help the child make trades and learn about investing in a hands-on environment.

• If your teenager has earned income, from babysitting or lawn mowing, you can also set up a custodial Roth IRA for your child. (If a younger child has earned income, say, from work as a performer, they can also fund a Roth IRA.)

Opening a Roth IRA offers a number of potential benefits for kids: top of the list is that the money they save and invest within the IRA has years to grow, and can provide a tax-free income stream in retirement.

Recommended: Paying for College: A Parents’ Guide

Starting a 529 Savings Plan

Saving for a child’s college education is often top of mind when parents think about planning for their kids’ futures.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that encourages saving for education costs by offering a few key benefits. In some states you can deduct the amount you contribute to a 529 plan. But even if your state doesn’t allow the tax deduction, the money within a 529 plan grows tax free, and qualified withdrawals are also tax free.

That includes money used to pay for tuition, room and board, lab fees, textbooks, and more. Qualified withdrawals can be used to pay for elementary, secondary, and higher education expenses, as well as qualified loan repayments, and some apprenticeship expenses. (Withdrawals that are used for non-qualified expenses may be subject to taxes and a penalty.)

Though all 50 states sponsor 529 plans you’re not required to invest in the plan that’s offered in your home state — you can shop around to find the plan that’s the best fit for you. You and your child will be able to use the funds to pay for education-related expenses in whichever state they choose.

Other Ways to Invest for Education

Given the benefits of investing for your child’s education, there are additional options to consider.

Prepaid Tuition Plans

A prepaid tuition plan allows you to prepay tuition and fees at certain colleges and universities at today’s prices. Such plans are usually available only at public schools and for in-state students, but some can be converted for use at out-of-state or private colleges.

The main benefit of this plan is that you could save big on the price of college by prepaying before prices go up. One of the main disadvantages is that, with some exceptions, these funds only cover tuition costs (not room and board, for example).

Education Savings Plans

An education savings plan or ESA is similar to a 529 plan, in that the money saved grows tax free and can be withdrawn tax free to pay for qualified educational expenses for elementary, secondary, and higher education.

ESAs, however, come with income caps. Single filers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $110,000, and married couples filing jointly who have a MAGI over $220,000 cannot contribute to an ESA.
ESAs also come with contribution limits: You can only contribute up to $2,000 per year, per child, and ESA contributions are only allowed up to the beneficiary’s 18th birthday, unless they’re a special needs student.

And while many states offer a tax deduction for contributing to a 529 plan, that’s not the case with ESA contributions; they are not tax deductible at the federal or the state level.

Investing Your Education Funds

Once you make contributions to an educational account, you can invest your funds. You will likely have a range of investment options to choose from, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which vary from state to state.

Many plans also offer the equivalent of age-based target-date funds, which start out with a more aggressive allocation (e.g. more in stocks), and gradually dial back to become more conservative as college approaches.

Depending on your child’s level of interest, this could be an opportunity to have them learn more about the investing process.

Thinking Ahead to Retirement Accounts

It’s worth knowing that as soon as your child is working, you are able to open a custodial Roth IRA, as discussed above. The assets inside the IRA belong to your child, but you have control over investing them until they become an adult.

While it’s possible to open a custodial account for a traditional IRA, most minor children won’t reap the tax benefits of this type of IRA. Most children don’t need tax-deductible contributions to lower their taxable income.

For that reason, it may make more sense to set up a custodial Roth IRA for your child, assuming the child has earned income. A Roth can offer tax-free income in retirement, assuming the withdrawals are qualified.

When to Choose a Savings Account for Your Child

Investing is a long-term proposition. Investing for long periods allows you to take advantage of compounding, and may help you ride out the volatility may occur in the stock market. But sometimes you want a safer place to keep some cash for your child — and that’s when opening a savings account is appropriate.

If you think you’ll need the money you’re saving for your child in the next three to five years, consider putting it in a high-yield savings account, which offers higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts.

You might also want to consider a certificate of deposit (CD), which also offers higher interest rates than traditional saving vehicles. The only catch with CDs is that in exchange for this higher interest rate, you essentially agree to keep your money in the CD for a set amount of time, from a few months to a few years.

While these savings vehicles don’t offer the same high rates of return you might find in the market, they are a less risky option and offer a steady rate of return.

The Takeaway

When considering your long-term goals for your child, having an investing plan might make sense. Whether you want to save for college, help your child get ahead on retirement, or just set up a savings account for your kids, now is the time to start. In fact, the sooner the better, as time can help money grow (just as it helps children grow!).

FAQ

Can a child have an investment account?

A parent or other adult can open a custodial brokerage account for a minor child or a teenager. While the custodian manages the account, the funds belong to the child, who gains control over the account when they reach the age of majority in their state (18 or 21).

What is the best way to invest money for a child?

The best way is to get started sooner rather than later. Perhaps start with one goal — i.e. saving for college — and open a 529 plan. Or, if your child has earned income from a side job, you can open a custodial Roth IRA for them.

What is a good age to start investing as a kid?

When your child shows an interest in investing, or when they have a specific goal, whether that’s at age 7 or 17, that’s when you’ll have a willing participant. Ideally you want to invest when they’re younger, so time can work in your favor.

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by emailing customer service at [email protected]. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.

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.

Disclaimer: The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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.

SOIN-Q324-005

Jan

2025

Investment Strategies By Age

By Michael Flannelly | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Life & Career | No Comments

Your age is a major factor in the investment strategy you choose and the assets you invest in. The investments someone makes when they’re in their 20s should look very different from the investments they make in their 50s.

Generally speaking, the younger you are, the more risk you may be able to tolerate because you’ll have time to make up for investment losses you might incur. Conversely, the closer you are to retirement, the more conservative you’ll want to be since you have less time to recoup from any losses. In other words, your investments need to align with your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals.

Most important of all, you need to start saving for retirement now so that you won’t be caught short when it’s time to retire. According to a 2024 SoFi survey of adults 18 and older, 59% of respondents had no retirement savings at all or less than $49,999.

Here is some information to consider at different ages.

Investing in Your 20s

In your 20s, you’ve just started in your career and likely aren’t yet earning a lot. You’re probably also paying off debt such as student loans. Despite those challenges, this is an important time to begin investing with any extra money you have. The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to save for retirement. Plus, you can take advantage of the power of compounding returns over the decades. These strategies can help get you on your investing journey.

Strategy 1: Participate in a Retirement Savings Plan

One of the easiest ways to start saving for retirement is to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan like a 401(k). Your contributions are generally automatically deducted from your paycheck, making it easier to save.

If possible, contribute at least enough to qualify for your employer’s 401(k) match if they offer one. That way your company will match a percentage of your contributions up to a certain limit, and you’ll be earning what’s essentially free money.

Those who don’t have access to an employer-sponsored plan might want to consider setting up an individual retirement account (IRA). There are different types of IRAs, but two of the most common are traditional and Roth IRAs. Both let you contribute the same amount (up to $7,000 in 2024 and 2025 for those under age 50), but one key difference is the way the two accounts are taxed. With Roth IRAs, contributions are not tax deductible, but you can withdraw money tax-free in retirement. With traditional IRAs, you deduct your contributions upfront and pay taxes on distributions when you retire.

Strategy 2: Explore Diversification

As you’re building a portfolio, consider diversification. Diversification involves spreading your investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate investment trusts (REITs). One way twentysomethings might diversify their portfolios is by investing in mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Mutual funds are pooled investments typically in stocks or bonds, and they trade once per day at the end of the day. ETFs are baskets of securities that trade on a public exchange and trade throughout the day.

You may be able to invest in mutual funds or ETFs through your 401(k) or IRA. Or you could open a brokerage account to begin investing in them.

Strategy 3: Consider Your Approach and Comfort Level

As mentioned, the younger an individual is, the more time they may have to recover from any losses or market downturns. Deciding what kind of approach they want to take at this stage could be helpful.

For instance, one approach involves designating a larger portion of investments to growth funds, mutual funds or ETFs that reflect a more aggressive investing style, but it’s very important to understand that this also involves higher risk. You may feel that a more conservative approach that’s less risky suits you better. What you choose to do is fully up to you. Weigh the options and decide what makes sense for you.

Investing in Your 30s

Once you’re in your 30s, you may have advanced in your career and started earning more money. However, at this stage of life you may also be starting a family, and you likely have financial obligations such as a mortgage, a car loan, and paying for childcare. Plus, you’re probably still paying off your student loans. Still, despite these expenses, contributing to your retirement should be a top priority. Here are some ways to do that.

Strategy 1: Maximize Your Contributions

Now that you’re earning more, this is the time to max out your 401(k) or IRA if you can, which could help you save more for retirement. In 2024, you can contribute up to $23,000 in a 401(k) and up to $7,000 in an IRA. In 2025, you can contribute up to $23,500 in a 401(k) and up to $7,000 in an IRA. (If you have a Roth IRA, there are income limits you need to meet to be eligible to contribute the full amount, which is one thing to consider when choosing between a Roth IRA vs. a traditional IRA.)

Strategy 2: Consider Adding Fixed-Income Assets to the Mix

While you can likely still afford some risk since you have several decades to recover from downturns or losses, you may also want to add some fixed-income assets like bonds or bond funds to your portfolio to help counterbalance the risk of growth funds and give yourself a cushion against potential market volatility. For example, an investor in their 30s might want 20% to 30% of their portfolio to be bonds. But, of course, you’ll want to determine what specific allocation makes the most sense for your particular situation.

Strategy 3: Get Your Other Financial Goals On Track

While saving for retirement is crucial, you should also make sure that your overall financial situation is stable. That means paying off your debts, especially high-interest debt like credit cards, so that it doesn’t continue to accrue interest. In addition, build up your emergency fund with enough money to tide you over for at least three to six months in case of a financial setback, such as a major medical expense or getting laid off from your job. And finally, make sure you have enough funds to cover your regular expenses, such as your mortgage payment and insurance.

Investing in Your 40s

You may be in — or approaching — your peak earning years now. At the same time, you likely have more expenses, as well, such as putting away money for your children’s college education, and saving up for a bigger house. Fortunately, you probably have at least 20 years before retirement, so there is still time to help build your nest egg. Consider these steps:

Strategy 1: Review Your Progress

According to one rule of thumb, by your 40s, you should have 3x the amount of your salary saved for retirement. This is just a guideline, but it gives you an idea of what you may need. Another popular guideline is the 80% rule of aiming to save at least 80% of your pre-retirement income. And finally, there is the 4% rule that says you can take your projected annual retirement expenses and divide them by 4% (0.04) to get an estimate of how much money you’ll need for retirement.

These are all rough targets, but they give you a benchmark to compare your current retirement savings to. Then, you can make adjustments as needed.

Strategy 2: Get Financial Advice

If you haven’t done much in terms of investing up until this point, it’s not too late to start. Seeking help from financial advisors and other professionals may help you establish a financial plan and set short-term and long-term financial goals.

Even for those who have started saving, meeting with a financial specialist could be useful if you have questions or need help mapping out your next steps or sticking to your overall strategy.

Strategy 3: Focus on the Your Goals

Since they might have another 20-plus years in the market before retirement, some individuals may choose to keep a portion of their portfolio allocated to stocks now. But of course, it’s also important to be careful and not take too much risk. For instance, while nothing is guaranteed and there is always risk involved, you might feel more comfortable in your 40s choosing investments that have a proven track record of returns.

Investing in Your 50s

You’re getting close to retirement age, so this is the time to buckle down and get serious about saving safely. If you’ve been a more aggressive investor in earlier decades, you’ll generally want to become more conservative about investing now. You’ll need your retirement funds in 10 years or so, and it’s vital not to do anything that might jeopardize your future. These investment strategies by age may be helpful to you in your 50s:

Strategy 1: Add Stability to Your Portfolio

One way to take a more conservative approach is to start shifting more of your portfolio to fixed-income assets like bonds or bond funds. Although these investments may result in lower returns in the short term compared to assets like stocks, they can help generate income when you begin withdrawing funds in retirement since bonds provide you with periodic interest payments.

You may also want to consider lower-risk investments like money market funds at this stage of your investment life.

Strategy 2: Take Advantage of Catch-up Contributions

Starting at age 50, you become eligible to make catch-up contributions to your 401(k) or IRA. In 2024 and 2025, you can contribute an additional $7,500 to your 401(k) for a total contribution of $30,500 for 2024, and $31,000 for 2025 if you max out your plan.

In 2024 and 2025, the catch-up contribution for an IRA is an additional $1,000 annually for a total maximum contribution of $8,000 for each year. This allows you to stash away even more money for retirement.

Strategy 3: Consider Downsizing

Your kids may be out of the house now, which can make it the ideal time to cut back on some major expenses in order to save more. You might want to move into a smaller home, for instance, or get rid of an extra car you no longer need.

Think about what you want your retirement lifestyle to look like — lots of travel, more time for hobbies, starting a small business, or whatever it might be — and plan accordingly. By cutting back on some expenses now, you may be able to save more for your future pastimes.

Investing in Your 60s

Retirement is fast approaching, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pull back on your investing. Every little bit you can continue to save and invest now can help build your nest egg. Remember, your retirement savings may need to last you for 30 years or even longer. Here are some strategies that may help you accumulate the money you need.

Strategy 1: Get the Most Out of Social Security

The average retirement age in the U.S. is 65 for men and 63 for women. But you may decide you want to work for longer than that. Waiting to retire can pay off in terms of Social Security benefits. The longer you wait, the bigger your monthly benefit will be.

The earliest you can start receiving Social Security Benefits is age 62, but your benefits will be reduced by as much as 30% if you take them that early. If you wait until your full retirement age, which is 67 for those born in 1960 or later, you can begin receiving full benefits.

However, if you wait until age 70 by working longer or working part time, say, the size of your benefits will increase substantially. Typically, for each additional year you wait to claim your benefits up to age 70, your benefits will grow by 8%.

Strategy 2: Review Your Asset Allocation

Just before and during retirement, it’s important to make sure your portfolio has enough assets such as bonds and dividend-paying stocks so that you’ll have income coming in. You’ll also want to stash away some cash for unexpected expenses that might pop up in the short term; you could put that money in your emergency fund.

Some individuals in their 60s may choose to keep some stocks with growth potential in their asset allocation as a way to potentially avoid outliving their savings and preserve their spending power. Overall, people at this stage of life may want to continue the more conservative approach to investing they started in their 50s, and not choose anything too aggressive or risky.

Strategy 3: Keep investing in your 401(k) as long as you’re still working.

If you can, max out your 401(k), including catch-up contributions, in your 60s to sock away as much as possible for retirement. In 2025, those aged 60 to 63 can take advantage of an extra catch-up provision, thanks to SECURE 2.0: They can contribute $11,250, instead of $7,500, for a total of $34,750. This can be especially helpful if you didn’t invest as much as you ideally should have at earlier ages. Contributing to your 401(k) could also help lower your taxable income now, when you may be in a higher income tax bracket than you were in previous decades.

Also, you can continue to contribute to any IRAs you may have — up to the limit allowed by the IRS, which is $8,000 in 2024 and 2025, including catch-up contributions. If you have a Roth IRA, you will need to meet the income limits in order to contribute.

The Takeaway

Investing for retirement should be a priority throughout your adult life, starting in your 20s. The sooner you begin, the more time you’ll have to save. And while it’s never too late to start investing for retirement, focusing on investment strategies by age, and changing your approach accordingly, can generally help you reach your financial goals.

For instance, in your 20s and 30s you can typically be more aggressive since you have time to make up for any downturns or losses. But as you get closer to retirement in your 40s, 50s, and 60s, your investment strategy should shift and take on a more conservative approach. Like your age, your investment strategy should adjust across the decades to help you live comfortably and enjoyably in your golden years.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by emailing customer service at [email protected]. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.

¹Claw Promotion: Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions.

SOIN-Q224-1905241-V1

Jan

2025

Overhead shot of the desk in the office.

A Guide to Tax-Efficient Investing

By Krystal Etienne | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off

As the saying goes: It’s not how much you earn, it’s how much you keep. And when you make money from your investments you need to consider the impact taxes might have on your earnings.

Fortunately, there are a range of tax-efficient investment strategies that can help minimize the bite that taxes take out of your returns.

What is tax-efficient investing, and how does it work? By understanding the tax implications of different types of accounts, as well as the types of investments you choose (e.g. stocks, bonds, mutual funds), you can determine the most tax-efficient strategies for your portfolio.

The Importance of Tax-Efficient Investing

Investing comes with an assortment of costs, and the taxes you pay on investing profits can be one of the biggest. By learning how to be a more tax-efficient investor, you may be able to keep more of what you earn.

The Impact of Taxes on Returns

Investment tax rules are complicated. Profits from many stock and bond investments are taxed at the capital gains rate; but some bonds aren’t taxed at all. Qualified dividends are taxed in one way; non-qualified dividends another. Investments in a taxable account are treated differently than those in a tax-advantaged account.

And, of course, there is the process of applying investment losses to gains in order to reduce your taxable gains — a strategy known as tax-loss harvesting.

In addition, the location of your investments — whether you hold them in a taxable account or a tax-advantaged account (where taxes can be deferred, or in some cases avoided) — also has an impact on your returns. In a similar way, you can refocus your charitable giving strategy to be tax efficient as well.

Knowing the ins and outs of investment taxes can help you establish a tax-efficient strategy that makes sense for you.

Types of Tax-Efficient Accounts

Investment accounts can generally be divided into two categories based on how they’re taxed: taxable and tax-advantaged.

Taxable Accounts

In order to understand tax-deferred and tax-exempt accounts, it helps to first understand taxable accounts, e.g. brokerage accounts. A taxable brokerage account has no special tax benefits, and profits from the securities in these accounts may be taxed according to capital gains rules (unless other rules apply).

Taxable accounts can be opened in the name of an individual or trust, or as a joint account. Money that is deposited into the investment account is post-tax, i.e. income taxes have already been paid or will be paid on those funds (similar to the money you’d put into a checking or savings accounts).

Taxes come into play when you sell investments in the account and make a profit. You may owe taxes on the gains you realize from those investments, as well as earned interest and dividends.

With some securities, like individual stocks, the length of time you’ve held an investment can impact your tax bill. Other investments may generate income or gains that require a different tax treatment.

For example:

• Capital gains. The tax on an investment gain is called capital gains tax. If an investor buys a stock for $40 and sells it for $50, the $10 is a “realized” gain and will be subject to either short- or long-term capital gains tax, depending on how long the investor held the investment.

The short-term capital gains rate applies when you’ve held an investment for a year or less, and it’s based on the investor’s personal income tax bracket and filing status — up to 37%.

The long-term capital gains rate, which is generally 0%, 15%, or 20% (depending on your income), applies when you’ve held an investment for more than a year.

• Interest. Interest that’s generated by an investment, such as a bond, is typically taxed as ordinary income. In some cases, bonds may be free from state or local taxes (e.g. Treasuries, some municipal bonds).

But if you sell a bond or bond fund at a profit, short- or long-term capital gains tax could apply.

• Dividends. Dividends are distributions that may be paid to investors who hold certain dividend stocks. Dividends are generally paid in cash, out of profits and earnings from a corporation — and can be taxed as short- or long-term capital gains within a taxable account.

Recommended: How Do Dividends Work?

But the terms are different when it comes to tax-advantaged accounts.

Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Tax-advantaged accounts fall into two categories, and are generally used for long-term retirement savings.

Tax-Deferred Retirement Accounts

A 401(k), 403(b), traditional IRA, SEP IRA, and Simple IRA fall under the tax-deferred umbrella, a tax structure typical of retirement accounts. They’re considered tax efficient for a couple of reasons.

• Pre-tax contributions. First, the money you contribute to a tax-deferred account is not subject to income tax; you owe taxes when you withdraw the funds later, e.g. in retirement. Thus the tax is deferred.

This means the amount you contribute to a tax-deferred account for a given year can be deducted from your taxable income, potentially reducing your tax bill for that year.

Speaking hypothetically: If your taxable income for a given year is $100,000, and you’ve contributed $5,000 to a traditional IRA or SEP IRA, you would deduct that contribution and your taxable income would be $95,000. You wouldn’t pay taxes on the money until you withdrew that funds later, likely in retirement.

• Tax-free growth. The money in a tax-deferred retirement account (e.g. a traditional IRA) grows tax free. Thus you don’t incur any taxes until the money is withdrawn.

• Potentially lower taxes. By deducting the contribution from your taxable income now, you may avoid paying taxes at your highest marginal tax rate. The idea is that investors’ effective (average) tax rate might be lower in retirement than their highest marginal tax rate while they’re working.

Tax-Exempt Accounts

Typically known as Roth accounts — e.g. a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k) — allow savers to deposit money that’s already been taxed. These funds, plus any gains, then grow tax free, and qualified withdrawals are also tax free in retirement.

Because contributions to Roth accounts are made post-tax, there is also more flexibility on when the money can be withdrawn. You can withdraw the amount of your contributions tax and penalty free at any time. However earnings on those investments may incur a penalty for early withdrawal, with some exceptions.

Recommended: What Is the Roth IRA 5-Year Rule?

Tax Benefits of College Savings Plans

529 College Savings Plans are a special type of tax-exempt account. The contributions and earnings in these accounts can be withdrawn tax free for qualified education expenses. In some cases you may be able to deduct your contributions from your state taxes, but the rules vary from state to state.

While you can invest the money in these accounts, they are limited in scope so aren’t generally considered one of the broader investment account categories.

Tax-Efficient Accounts Summary

As a quick summary, here are the main account types, their tax structure, and what that means for the types of investments you might hold in each.

• Generally you want to hold more tax-efficient investments in a taxable account.

• Conversely, you may want to hold investments that can have a greater tax impact in tax-deferred and tax-exempt accounts, where investments can grow tax free.

Types of Accounts	When Taxes Apply	Investment Implications
Taxable (e.g. brokerage or investment account)	Investors deposit post-tax funds and owe taxes on profits from securities they sell, and from interest and dividends.	Investments with a lower tax impact make sense in a taxable account (e.g. long-term stocks, municipal and Treasury bonds).
Tax-deferred (e.g. 401(k), 403(b), traditional, SEP, and Simple IRAs)	Investors contribute pre-tax money, but owe taxes on withdrawals.	Investments grow tax free until funds are withdrawn, giving investors more tax flexibility when choosing securities.
Tax-exempt (e.g. Roth 401(k), Roth IRA)	Investors deposit post-tax funds, and don’t owe taxes on withdrawals.	These accounts offer the most tax flexibility as investments grow tax free and investors withdraw the money tax free.

The Tradeoffs of Tax-Free Growth

Because of the advantages tax-deferred accounts offer investors, there are restrictions around contribution limits and the timing (and sometimes the purpose) of withdrawals. Taxable accounts are generally free of such restrictions.

• Contribution limits. The IRS has contribution limits for how much you can save each year in most tax-advantaged accounts. Be sure to know the rules for these accounts, as penalties can apply when you exceed the contribution limits.

• Income limits. In order to contribute to a Roth IRA, your income must fall below certain limits. (These caps don’t apply to Roth 401(k) accounts, however.)

• Penalties for early withdrawals. For 401(k) plans and traditional as well as Roth IRAs, there is a 10% penalty if you withdraw money before age 59 ½, with some exceptions.

• Required withdrawals. Some accounts, such as traditional, SEP, and Simple IRAs require that you withdraw a minimum amount each year after age 73 (as long as you turned 72 after Dec. 31, 2022). These are known as required minimum distributions (RMDs).

The rules governing RMDs are complicated, and these required withdrawals can have a significant impact on your taxable income, so you may want to consult a professional in order to plan this part of your retirement tax plan.

When choosing the location of different investments, be sure to understand the rules and restrictions governing tax-advantaged accounts.

Choosing Tax-Efficient Investments

Next, it is helpful to know that some securities are more tax efficient in their construction, so you can choose the best investments for the type of account that you have.

For example, ETFs are considered to be more tax efficient than mutual funds because they don’t trigger as many taxable events. Investors can trade ETFs shares directly, while mutual fund trades require the fund sponsor to act as a middle man, activating a tax liability.

Here’s a list of some tax-efficient investments:

• ETFs: These are similar to mutual funds but more tax efficient due to their construction. Also, most ETFs are passive and track an index, and thus tend to be more tax efficient than their actively managed counterparts (this is also true of index mutual funds versus actively managed funds).

• Treasury bonds: Investors will not pay state or local taxes on interest earned via U.S. Treasury securities, including Treasury bonds. Investors do owe federal tax on Treasury bond interest.

• Municipal bonds: These are bonds issued by local governments, often to fund municipal buildings or projects. Interest is generally exempt from federal taxes, and state or local taxes if the investor lives within that municipality.

• Stocks that do not pay dividends: When you sell a non-dividend-paying stock at a profit, you’ll likely be taxed at the long-term capital gains rate, assuming you’ve held it longer than a year. That’s likely lower than the tax you’d pay on ordinary dividends, which are generally taxed as income at your ordinary tax rate.

• Index funds vs. actively managed funds: Generally speaking, index funds (which are passively managed) have less churn, and lower capital gains. Actively managed funds are the opposite, and may incur higher taxes as a result.

Note that actively trading stocks can have additional tax implications because more frequent trades, specifically those that fall into the short-term capital gain category, incur a higher tax rate on gains.

Typically, tax consequences will vary from person to person. A tax professional can help navigate your specific tax questions.

Estate Planning and Charitable Giving

Another important aspect of tax-efficient investing is adjusting your estate plan and establishing a strategy for charitable bequests. Because both these areas — inheritances and philanthropy — can be extremely complex taxwise, it may be wise to consult with a professional.

Taxes and Estate Planning

There are a number of ways to structure inheritances in a tax-efficient manner, including the use of gifts, trusts, and other vehicles. With a sophisticated estate-planning strategy, taxes can be minimized for the donor as well as the receiver.

For example, while there is a federal estate tax, there is no federal inheritance tax. And only five states tax your inheritance as of 2025 (Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania). As of January 1, 2025, Iowa no longer has an inheritance tax.

Yet your heirs may owe capital gains if you bequeath assets that then appreciate. But if you leave stock to your heirs, they can enjoy a step-up in cost basis based on when they inherited the stock, so they’d be taxed on gains from that time, not from the original price at purchase.

Tax Benefits of Charitable Contributions

Tax-efficient charitable giving is possible using a variety of strategies and accounts. For example a charitable remainder trust can reduce the donor’s taxable income, provide a charity with a substantial gift, while also creating tax-free income for the donor.

This is only one example of how charitable gifts can be structured as a win-win on the tax front. Understanding all the options may benefit from professional guidance.

💡 Quick Tip: Newbie investors may be tempted to buy into the market based on recent news headlines or other types of hype. That’s rarely a good idea. Making good choices shouldn’t stem from strong emotions, but a solid investment strategy.

Advanced Tax-Efficient Strategies

It may also be possible to minimize taxes by incorporating a few more strategies as you manage your investments.

Asset Location Considerations

As noted above, one method for minimizing the tax impact on your investments is through the careful practice of asset location. A well-considered combination of taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-exempt accounts can help mitigate the impact of taxes on your investment earnings.

For example, with some investment accounts — such as IRAs and 401(k)s — your tax bracket can have a substantial impact on the tax you’ll pay on withdrawals. Having alternate investments to pull from until your tax bracket is more favorable is a smart move to avoid that excess tax.

Also, with multiple investment accounts, you could potentially pull tax-free retirement income from a Roth IRA, assuming you’re at least 59 ½ and have held the account for at least five years (also known as the 5-year rule). and leave your company-sponsored 401(k) to grow until RMDs kick in.

Having a variety of investments spread across account types gives you an abundance of options for many aspects of your financial plan.

• Need to cover a sudden large expense? Long-term capital gains are taxed at a significantly lower rate than short-term capital gains, so consider using those funds first.

• Want to help with tuition costs for a loved one? A 529 can cover qualified education costs at any time, without incurring taxes or a penalty.

• Planning to leave your heirs an inheritance? Roth IRAs are tax free and transferrable. And because your Roth IRA does not have required distributions (as a traditional IRA would), you can allow the account to grow until you pass it on to your heir(s).

Tax-Loss Harvesting

Within taxable accounts, there may be an additional way to minimize some of the tax bill created by selling profitable investments: tax-loss harvesting. This advanced move involves reducing the taxes from an investment gain with an investment loss.

For example, an investor wants to sell a few investments and the sale would result in $2,000 in capital gains. Tax-loss harvesting rules allow them to sell investments with $2,000 in total capital losses, effectively canceling out the gains. In this scenario, no capital gains taxes would be due for the year.

Note that even though the investor sold the investment at a loss, the “wash sale” rule prevents them from buying back the same investment within 30 days after those losses are realized. This rule prevents people from abusing the ability to deduct capital gain losses, and applies to trades made by the investor, the investor’s spouse, or a company that the investor controls.

Because this strategy involves the forced sale of an investment, many investors choose to replace it with a similar — but not too similar — investment. For example, an investor that sells an S&P 500 index fund to lock in losses could replace it with a similar U.S. stock market fund.

Tax-Loss Carryover

Tax-loss harvesting rules also allow an investor to claim some of that capital loss on their income taxes, further reducing their annual income and potentially minimizing their overall income tax rate. This can be done with up to $3,000 in realized investment losses, or $1,500 if you’re married but filing separately.

Should your capital losses exceed the federal $3,000 max claim limit ($1,500 if you’re married and filing separately), you have the option to carry that loss forward and claim any amounts excess of that $3,000 on your taxes for the following year.

For example, if you have a total of $5,000 in capital losses for this year, by law you can only claim $3,000 of those losses on your taxes. However, due to tax-loss carryover, you are able to claim the remaining $2,000 as a loss on your taxes the following year, in addition to any capital gains losses you happen to experience during that year. This in turn lowers your capital gains income and the amount you may owe in taxes.

Roth IRA Conversions

It’s also possible in some cases to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. This is a complicated strategy, with pluses and minuses on the tax front.

• By converting funds from a traditional IRA to a Roth, you will immediately owe taxes on the amount you convert. The conversion amount could also push you into a higher tax bracket; meaning, you’d potentially owe more in taxes.

• Unlike funding a standard Roth IRA, there is no income limit for doing a Roth conversion, nor is there a cap on how much can be converted.

• Once the conversion is complete, you would reap the benefits of tax-free withdrawals from the Roth IRA in retirement.

• According to the 5-year rule, if you’re 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.

Final Thoughts on Tax-Efficient Investing

Given the impact of investment taxes on your returns, it makes sense to consider all the various means of tax-efficient investing. After all, not only are investment taxes an immediate cost to you, that money can’t be invested for further growth.

Key Strategies Recap

Once you understand the tax rules that govern different types of investment accounts, as well as the tax implications of your investment choices, you’ll be able to create a strategy that minimizes taxes on your investment income for the long term. Ideally, investors should consider having a combination of tax-deferred, tax-exempt, and taxable accounts to increase their tax diversification. To recap:

• A taxable account (e.g. a standard brokerage account) is flexible. It allows you to invest regardless of your income, age, or other parameters. You can buy and sell securities, and deposit and withdraw money at any time. That said, there are no special tax benefits to these accounts.

• A tax-deferred account (e.g. 401(k), traditional IRA, SEP IRA, Simple IRA) is more restrictive, but offers tax benefits. You can deduct your contributions from your taxable income, potentially lowering your tax bill, and your investments grow tax free in the account. Your contributions are capped according to IRS rules, however, and you will owe taxes when you withdraw the money.

• A tax-exempt account (e.g. a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k)) is the most restrictive, with income limits as well as contributions limits. But because you deposit money post-tax, and the money grows tax free in the account, you don’t owe taxes when you withdraw the money in retirement.

Further Learning in Tax-Smart Investing

Being smart about tax planning applies to the present, to educational expenses, to the future (in terms of taxes you could owe in retirement), and to your estate plan and your heirs as well. Maximizing your tax-efficient strategies across the board can make a significant difference over time.

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