Whether your employer offers one or not, you should learn the basics of a 401k account. This information will come in handy if your company ever switches to a 401k plan or you change jobs and are able to invest in a 401k. These accounts give you the ability to have some control over your retirement fund, unlike pensions where the company controls the funds.
401k plans are a tax-deferred retirement savings plan. They are administered by a third party investment company, not directly through your employer. The tax advantages are that you don't have to pay taxes on the money you put into the account until you take it out. Most people fall into a lower tax bracket once they retire, so this could potentially save you a lot of money in taxes.
Most people can contribute up to $16, 500 per year in their 401k. If the employer offers matching, then the total of the employee's contributions and the matching cannot be more than $49, 000. When an employee reaches the age of 50, the limits rise to $22, 000 for the employee contribution and $54, 500 total. There are additional restrictions for employees who make over $110, 000 annually. If your salary is higher than this, your employer must follow a formula to determine how much you can contribute.
Employer matching is offered by many companies that have 401k plans for their employees. If your employer offers matching, they will put extra money in your 401k account based on the amount you contribute. They may match contributions 100% up to a certain amount, or they may do partial matching. Some companies require the matched contributions to be put into a fund that only purchases company stock.
The money that is invested in a 401k by your company match may or may not be vested immediately. What that means is that in some plans, you have to wait a certain period of time after the investment is made before the money is fully yours. The investment choices available to you in your 401k plan are chosen by your company. You can decide how to invest your money within those options. Sometimes the options are quite limited.
Some companies allow you to borrow against your 401k plan. When you take advantage of these loans, you usually get a pretty good interest rate. As you pay the loan back, you are paying yourself interest. It's best to proceed with caution when considering borrowing money against your 401k. If you quit or are fired from your job, you will have to pay the entire outstanding balance quickly or you will be penalized.
It's good to have a little knowledge about 401k plans in case you ever work for an employer who offers them. They are becoming very popular, and you never know when your employer might decide to start offering a 401k plan to its employees. - 23204
401k plans are a tax-deferred retirement savings plan. They are administered by a third party investment company, not directly through your employer. The tax advantages are that you don't have to pay taxes on the money you put into the account until you take it out. Most people fall into a lower tax bracket once they retire, so this could potentially save you a lot of money in taxes.
Most people can contribute up to $16, 500 per year in their 401k. If the employer offers matching, then the total of the employee's contributions and the matching cannot be more than $49, 000. When an employee reaches the age of 50, the limits rise to $22, 000 for the employee contribution and $54, 500 total. There are additional restrictions for employees who make over $110, 000 annually. If your salary is higher than this, your employer must follow a formula to determine how much you can contribute.
Employer matching is offered by many companies that have 401k plans for their employees. If your employer offers matching, they will put extra money in your 401k account based on the amount you contribute. They may match contributions 100% up to a certain amount, or they may do partial matching. Some companies require the matched contributions to be put into a fund that only purchases company stock.
The money that is invested in a 401k by your company match may or may not be vested immediately. What that means is that in some plans, you have to wait a certain period of time after the investment is made before the money is fully yours. The investment choices available to you in your 401k plan are chosen by your company. You can decide how to invest your money within those options. Sometimes the options are quite limited.
Some companies allow you to borrow against your 401k plan. When you take advantage of these loans, you usually get a pretty good interest rate. As you pay the loan back, you are paying yourself interest. It's best to proceed with caution when considering borrowing money against your 401k. If you quit or are fired from your job, you will have to pay the entire outstanding balance quickly or you will be penalized.
It's good to have a little knowledge about 401k plans in case you ever work for an employer who offers them. They are becoming very popular, and you never know when your employer might decide to start offering a 401k plan to its employees. - 23204
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