Could retirement plans get any more complicated? You’ve got your typical 401(k), or if you work in the nonprofit sector, a403(b). Then you’ve got your IRAs, traditional and Roth. But few realize there’s another alternativethe Roth 401(k). Should you put money in a conventional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k) if your employer offers it? Financial planner and teacher Rob West breaks it down for us.
According to the Plan Sponsors Council of America, 7 in 10 companies offer a Roth 401(k) option. But only 18% of workers with 401(k)s use it. A lot of financial advisors will tell you they’re missing an opportunity to stretch their retirement savings and gain tax flexibility.
If you’re considering a Roth IRA, the main things to think about for a Roth 401(k) are your income and age. Roths are better for people in lower income brackets now, like at the beginning of their careers.
For tax purposes, both are beneficial in different ways. But for younger folks, the Roth 401(k) is probably the better option. When you’re in a lower tax bracket, a tax deduction today isn’t as valuable to you as not having to pay taxes will be to you later. So go for the tax-free growth.
Another factor in favor of the Roth 401(k) is that tax rates are currently among the lowest they’ve ever been. They will most likely only go up, so it makes more sense to pay at today’s tax rate than gamble with a higher one, making a Roth a better option. The trade off is that you won’t get a tax break now.
The younger you are, the more likely your retirement income will actually be greater than your working income now. That’s not the case if your an older worker. You’re more likely to be toward the top of your income potential. And since most of us will have less income in retirement, it can be better for older workers to take the tax break now and fund their retirement plan with pre-tax money. That means a regular 401(k).
We always advise people to diversify their portfolios, following the biblical principle in Ecclesiastes 11:2,Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.That doesn’t just pertain to how much you have in stocks versus bonds. You can also have tax diversification with some of your holdings in pre-tax accounts and some in after-tax accounts.
If you’re over 50, especially, you’ll want to put something in both baskets so that you have the flexibility to withdraw from both taxable and tax-free pools when you retire.
On today’s program we also answer your questions:
My wife recently passed away and I’m looking for a financial advisor who can give me honest advice whose priority is to help me instead of merely pushing their product. I simply want guidance on the best way to achieve the most benefit in my current situation. Do you have any advice for me?
Catch-up contributions for my 401(k)can you give me further instructions regarding what I can do with that?
I’ll be coming up on my ESOP diversification period at the end of next year. Should I diversify just enough shares to equal the amount up to $26,000?
What advice do you have regarding the paying off of multiple credit cards?
Ask your questions at (800) 525-7000 or email them [email protected]. Visit our website atmoneywise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources.
Like and Follow us on Facebook at MoneyWise Media for videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab at the top of the page.
To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29