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Financial Literacy
Course: Financial Literacy > Unit 11
Lesson 4: Investments and retirementYour 401(k): 10 things to find out
Starting a new full-time job? If your company offers you a 401(k) plan, you may have decisions to make. If you don’t know the answers to these 10 key questions, check your plan documents. Or ask your HR representative or plan administrator.
1. When can I start contributing?
Not every 401(k) plan allows new employees to begin contributing right away. Some companies might make you wait two, three or even 12 months after you’re hired. Your plan administrator can tell you whether a waiting period applies.
2. Will I be enrolled automatically?
An increasing number of companies automatically enroll you in a 401(k) when you join the company. Automatic enrollment is designed to encourage you to save by making it easy to join. Ask your HR representative whether this is the case at your company, because if you’re automatically enrolled, you participate unless you specifically opt out.
3. Is there a company match, and if so, what are the rules?
Many employers offer incentives for employees to contribute to their 401(k) plans by matching contributions up to a certain point. For instance, some companies may match every dollar you contribute with 50 cents of their own, up to a certain percentage of your salary. But individual plans vary widely, and there may be restrictions on qualifying for the company match. Ask your plan administrator for the rules that apply to your company’s plan.
4. How much can I contribute?
The IRS sets a contribution limit each year. In 2018 you can contribute up to $18,500 (up to $24,500 if you will be 50 or older at any time during the calendar year), provided your contribution doesn’t exceed your earned income for the year. (Employer contributions don’t count toward that limit.) You can stay current with contribution limits at irs.gov.
5. Can I sign up for automatic increases to my contribution?
One of the easiest ways to contribute more is to make the process automatic. As your salary increases, you may be able to boost your 401(k) contribution accordingly. Some 401(k) plans allow you to specify automatic contribution increases even if your salary doesn’t increase, and some employers automatically enroll employees in auto-escalation plans. Ask your plan administrator whether your plan offers automatic increases so you’re prepared.
6. What investment options does the plan offer?
401(k) plans offer investment options chosen by the plan administrator. Having choices allows you to find investments that make sense for you. Remember, though, that investments carry different levels of risk, including potential loss of principal, and no guarantee of return, which is why you may want to seek advice from a professional.
7. Is there a Roth 401(k) option?
Some plans allow you to contribute to both traditional and Roth 401(k)s. A traditional 401(k) offers you a tax break now by letting you contribute pre-tax money. But you pay taxes when you withdraw the money. Roth 401(k)s work in reverse: You contribute after-tax dollars but don’t have to pay federal taxes when you withdraw the money in retirement. Putting some contributions into a Roth 401(k) may benefit you if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are currently. A tax professional can help you figure this out.
8. What are the maintenance costs and fees?
Participating in a 401(k) plan entails certain fees and expenses, which vary by plan and can reduce your overall return. Some fees cover administrative costs associated with running the plan. Others cover the cost of managing the particular investment vehicles you choose.
9. What happens if I withdraw the money early?
According to IRS rules, typically if you withdraw money from your 401(k) before age 59½, you have to pay a 10 percent penalty, as well as income taxes. (There are a few exceptions; see the IRS website for details.) But some plans allow you to borrow from your account. Those loans often involve fees and, as with any loan, you have to pay interest—though in this case, generally you’re paying yourself. You don’t have to pay the early-withdrawal additional tax if you repay the loan within the designated period.
10. What happens to my money if I leave the company?
Some employers let you keep your money in your 401(k) plan after you leave. Others, however, require you to take your funds with you. You may be able to roll your money to an Individual Retirement Account or into a new employer’s sponsored plan. Or you could cash out via a distribution, though penalties may apply. Knowing the rules helps you avoid surprises and develop the best plan. Each choice may offer different investment options and services, fees, expenses and rules. These are complex choices, so take time to compare options.
The material provided on this website is for informational use only and is not intended for financial or investment advice. Khan Academy assumes no liability for any loss or damage resulting from one’s reliance on the material provided. Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Consult with your own financial professional when making decisions regarding your financial or investment options.
Khan Academy doesn’t provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.
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- Two completely separate questions:
1) If you have a 401(k) with Company A and move to Company B which has no 401(k) set up and you choose to put your money into a Traditional IRA, will that exceed the "$5,000" yearly limit? Or because they are both retirement account, there is potential for bureaucratic hand waiving?
2) If you keep your 401(k) with Company A after moving to Company B which does have a 401(k) set up but isn't as desirable to you, when you contribute to your 401(k), will Company A still match it because they run the account?
-Thank you(11 votes)- These are pretty tough questions but I'll try to answer them as best I can.
1) I think you can transfer all of it in, but in the future you'll only be able to put $5000 a year into it or $6000 if you're over 60.
2) I don't think so, because they only matched it because you had a job there, so they'll just invest it but not match it.
If you want more info, you can try looking it up.(9 votes)
- so your house, car, and stuff like that all affects your 401k(8 votes)
- They don't affect the contribution you set apart or the returns on investment, so I don't see how they affect it directly.
On the other hand, all of your assets and liabilities will determine your personal situation, e.g. loan, money necessities, family which can determine the contribution you decide to make. Those considerations should certainly affect your resulting 401K.(8 votes)
- what do you really mean when y'all said 400 1K(8 votes)
- I think it was just a mistake. ¯\(ツ)/¯(8 votes)
- Everything that you own can effect your 401k.(7 votes)
- What is 401(k)? is it talking about money?(7 votes)
- when you retire from a job you put in a retriment check for working all the years and relax and feeling good to.(7 votes)
- whats the best way to go at this? smartest way?(6 votes)
- When you work with your society do it has an affect on you of anyway?(6 votes)
- Cut the fees 401(k) for your business abetter way to 401(k)(5 votes)
- This may be off-topic but I can't resist after a particular movie, the objective is "We don't talk about Bruno no, no, no, no!"(3 votes)
- You're absolutely right. That's off topic.(5 votes)