The 401k Podcast with Fexingo: Employer Retirement Plans, Matching, and Long-Term Saving

Starting in 2026, catch-up contributions to 401k plans must be made as Roth contributions for participants earning over $145,000. This episode explains the new rule under SECURE 2.0, who it affects, how plans are adapting, and strategies for employees to navigate the change. Lucas and Luna break down the numbers, the practical implications, and what this means for your retirement savings strategy.

#401k #CatchUpContributions #Roth #SECURE2.0 #Retirement #Finance #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #Savings #TaxPlanning #EmployeeBenefits #HighEarners #RothCatchUp #PlanSponsors #PersonalFinance #RetirementPlanning #FinancialLiteracy #Business

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna break down the often-overlooked fees in your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Using the latest fee disclosure rules under ERISA 408(b)(2), they explain how even a 1% annual fee can slash your nest egg by nearly 30% over a career. Learn what the average 401k plan charges, how to read your fee disclosure statement, and why institutional share classes can save you thousands. Plus, a quick look at how the 2026 fee transparency improvements make it easier than ever to compare costs.

#401kFees #RetirementPlanning #FeeDisclosure #ERISA #PlanSponsor #ExpenseRatios #RevenueSharing #InstitutionalShares #TargetDateFunds #IndexFunds #EmployeeBenefits #PersonalFinance #Investing #FinancialLiteracy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #RetirementSaving

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Many 401k plans offer a self-directed brokerage account (SDBA) that allows participants to invest beyond the standard menu of mutual funds. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how SDBAs work, the fees involved, and who might benefit from using one. They also discuss a Fidelity study showing only about 2% of participants currently use SDBAs, and examine the SEC's proposed rule on fiduciary advice for brokerage windows. If you've ever wondered whether you should buy individual stocks inside your 401k, this episode covers the trade-offs and practical considerations.

#401k #SelfDirectedBrokerage #SDBA #RetirementSavings #Investing #Fidelity #SEC #BrokerageWindow #PlanFees #Diversification #IndividualStocks #ETFs #MutualFunds #EmployeeBenefits #Finance #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #Podcast

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Many 401(k) participants focus on the match percentage but overlook the vesting schedule — the timeline that determines when employer contributions actually become yours. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down graded versus cliff vesting, share data from Vanguard's 2025 report showing that one in four workers left their job before their match was fully vested, leaving an average of $3,400 on the table, and explain how SECURE Act 2.0 shortened maximum vesting periods for employer matches. They walk through a real-world example: an employee with a 4% match and a six-year graded vesting schedule who leaves after three years forfeits nearly $8,000 in unvested match. Listeners will learn how to find their plan's vesting schedule, what happens during acquisitions or plan terminations, and why checking vesting before changing jobs can save thousands. A must-listen for anyone with a 401(k) who might switch employers.

#VestingSchedule #401k #EmployerMatch #GradedVesting #CliffVesting #Vanguard #SECUREAct2 #RetirementPlanning #PersonalFinance #EmployeeBenefits #Fidelity #JobChange #MoneyManagement #Investing #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #The401kPodcast

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the SECURE 2.0 provision that allows 401k plans to offer a linked emergency savings account, or ESA. They walk through how the account works, why Congress created it, and what it means for employees who worry about raiding their retirement funds for a sudden expense. Lucas explains the $2,500 cap, the matching implications, and the opt-out risk. Luna shares a real-world example of how even a $500 emergency can derail savings momentum. Together they make the case that this small account could be the biggest behavioral innovation in retirement plans since auto-enrollment. This episode is for anyone who has ever hesitated to max out their 401k because life keeps happening. Tune in to understand how your plan might soon offer a safety net that keeps your retirement savings on track.

#401k #EmergencySavings #SECURE2 #RetirementPlanning #EmployerBenefits #EmployeeWellness #FinancialWellness #SavingsAccount #Liquidity #BehavioralFinance #AutoEnrollment #Matching #OptOut #IncomeVolatility #RainyDayFund #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explain how target-date funds work in employer retirement plans, focusing on their automatic rebalancing and asset allocation glide path. Using a concrete example of a 35-year-old investor, they walk through how a 2055 target-date fund shifts from 90% stocks to 50% stocks by retirement, and how that changes risk levels. They also discuss the debate over fees vs convenience, and why some plans offer custom target-date series that blend passive index funds with active management. By the end, listeners will understand whether a target-date fund is right for their 401k and how to check their plan's specific glide path. A practical episode for anyone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it approach to retirement savings.

#401k #TargetDateFunds #RetirementPlanning #AutomaticRebalancing #GlidePath #AssetAllocation #PassiveInvesting #ActiveManagement #EmployerPlan #Fiduciary #FeeDisclosure #JohnBogle #Vanguard #LifestyleFunds #PersonalFinance #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how auto-escalation features in 401k plans can dramatically boost retirement savings without requiring active decisions from employees. They break down the mechanics of annual contribution increases, the impact of starting at a 3% default and escalating by 1% per year, and how a 25-year-old earning $50,000 could see their savings grow by over $200,000 by age 65. They also discuss the latest data from Vanguard showing that 78% of plans now offer auto-escalation, up from 60% in 2020, and why behavioral economics supports this 'set it and forget it' approach. Lucas and Luna also touch on the interplay between auto-escalation and employer matching, and how plan sponsors can optimize caps to prevent employees from maxing out too early. A must-listen for anyone interested in how small, automatic increases can lead to outsized retirement outcomes.

#AutoEscalation #401k #RetirementSavings #BehavioralEconomics #Vanguard #EmployerMatch #ContributionIncrease #DefaultRate #SavingsRate #CompoundGrowth #Fiduciary #PlanSponsor #EmployeeBenefits #LongTermSaving #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #The401kPodcast

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore a new 2026 plan design: using 401k matching contributions to support adoption expenses. They discuss how employers can structure matching contributions tied to qualified adoption costs, the tax implications, and the potential to help employees build retirement savings while growing their families. The conversation covers the SECURE 2.0 framework, practical considerations for plan sponsors, and how this fits into broader workplace benefits trends. Lucas cites a recent survey from the Employee Benefit Research Institute showing that only 12% of employers currently offer adoption assistance, but interest is rising fast as companies compete for talent.

#401k #AdoptionExpenses #MatchingContributions #EmployerBenefits #SECURE2.0 #RetirementPlanning #WorkplaceBenefits #AdoptionAssistance #RothMatching #TaxAdvantagedSaving #PlanSponsor #EBRI #2026 #FamilyBuilding #HRBenefits #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of The 401k Podcast, hosts Lucas and Luna explore a new trend in employer retirement plans: matching contributions for employees who purchase electric vehicles. They discuss how companies like Google and Salesforce have implemented EV matching as part of their sustainability benefits, the mechanics of how it works within IRS limits, and the tax implications for employees. Lucas breaks down a specific example: a $10,000 EV purchase triggering a $2,000 matching contribution, and how this fits within the 401k contribution limits for 2026. Luna questions whether this encourages consumption or genuinely boosts retirement savings. The hosts also touch on the broader shift toward tying benefits to ESG goals. A short, organic donation segment supports the show's ad-free model.

#401kPlan #ElectricVehicle #EmployerMatch #RetirementSavings #ESG #SustainabilityBenefits #Google401k #SalesforceBenefits #TaxImplications #ContributionLimits #RothMatch #GreenInvesting #HumanResources #BenefitsTrends #Finance #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #The401kPodcast

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 125 of The 401k Podcast breaks down a little-known provision in the SECURE 2.0 Act: employers can now match employee contributions specifically earmarked for adoption expenses. Lucas and Luna explain how this works, who qualifies, and what it means for your long-term retirement savings. They walk through a real example from a mid-sized tech firm that implemented adoption matching in early 2026, covering eligibility rules, tax implications, and why this is a big deal for financial planning. The hosts also compare this to other new matching categories like student loan and emergency savings matching, giving listeners a clear framework to ask their HR department about. A must-listen for anyone considering adoption or working with a benefits team that's reviewing plan options.

#401k #AdoptionExpenses #SECURE2Act #RetirementMatching #EmployerBenefits #AdoptionBenefits #RothMatch #EmployeeRetirement #FinancialPlanning #401kMatching #AdoptionCosts #HRBenefits #WorkplaceFinance #TaxAdvantaged #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo