Definition

A 401(k) is a type of employer-sponsored retirement savings plan in the US. It allows employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax salary to a dedicated retirement account, often with the potential for employer matching contributions.

What is 401(k)?

The name “401(k)” refers to the section of the Internal Revenue Code that governs these plans. Employees can contribute a portion of their salary to their 401(k) account on a pre-tax basis, reducing their taxable income for the year. This allows for tax-deferred growth of investments within the account.

Many employers offer matching contributions, where they contribute a certain percentage of an employee’s salary to the 401(k) account. This is often subject to a maximum limit. Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule, which means that employees may need to work for the company for a certain period before being entitled to the full amount of employer contributions.

401(k) accounts typically offer a range of investment options, such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and target-date funds. Employees can choose investments based on their risk tolerance and retirement goals.

401(k) plans are generally portable, allowing employees to roll over their account balances into another qualified retirement plan if they change jobs. Withdrawing funds from a 401(k) before age 59½ may result in early withdrawal penalties, in addition to regular income taxes. There are certain exceptions, such as hardship withdrawals or qualified first-time homebuyer expenses.

A 401(k) plays a crucial role in retirement planning for many Americans, offering tax advantages, employer contributions, and a disciplined way to save for the future. It is important for individuals to understand the specific features and rules of their employer’s 401(k) plan to make informed decisions about contributions and investment choices.

Example of 401(k)

Sarah works for XYZ Corporation, which offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

1. Salary deferral: Sarah decides to contribute 5% of her $50,000 annual salary to her 401(k). This means she elects to defer $2,500 ($50,000 x 5%) of her pre-tax income into the 401(k) account.
2. Employer match: XYZ Corporation offers a dollar-for-dollar match up to 4% of an employee’s salary. Since Sarah is contributing 5%, her employer matches the first 4% of her salary, which amounts to an additional $2,000 contribution from XYZ Corporation.
3. Total contribution: Sarah’s total annual contribution to her 401(k) is $4,500 ($2,500 from her salary deferral + $2,000 from the employer match).
4. Tax advantages: Sarah benefits from immediate tax advantages as her $2,500 salary deferral reduces her taxable income for the year.

This example illustrates how an employee like Sarah can take advantage of a 401(k) by contributing a portion of her salary, benefiting from an employer match, and enjoying immediate tax advantages.