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

Episode 104 of The 401k Podcast explores a new SECURE 2.0 provision that lets employers offer matching contributions on employee adoption expenses. Lucas and Luna break down how this works, the tax implications, and why it matters for both plan sponsors and participants. They discuss real-world scenarios, the $15,000 adoption credit, and how this could shift employer benefits strategy. Plus, a quick aside on listener support. Tune in for a concrete look at a niche but growing 401k feature.

#401k #SECURE2point0 #AdoptionExpenses #EmployerMatch #RetirementPlanning #Benefits #HR #Finance #Business #PersonalFinance #TaxCredit #PlanSponsor #AdoptionBenefit #LucasAndLuna #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementSavings #EmployeeBenefits

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In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore a new retirement benefit emerging in 2026: employer matching contributions tied to child care expenses. They break down how some companies are structuring these matches—often by counting child care costs as elective deferrals for matching purposes—and what it means for employees juggling family costs and retirement savings. The hosts discuss SECURE 2.0's role in enabling this flexibility, compare it to student loan matching, and walk through a concrete example of how a $5,000 child care expense could unlock $2,500 in employer match at a 50% rate. They also cover potential pitfalls, including income limits, plan testing, and the risk of over-contributing. The episode closes with a question about whether this benefit might widen the gap between employees who can afford child care and those who can't. Perfect for HR professionals, plan sponsors, and working parents evaluating their 401k options mid-2026.

#ChildCareMatch #401k #SECURE2Point0 #EmployerMatch #RetirementSavings #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FinancePodcast #401kPlan #ChildCareBenefits #WorkingParents #PlanSponsor #HR #Deferral #MatchingContribution #FringeBenefit #TaxAdvantaged #EmployeeBenefits

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Episode 102 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo dives into a little-known SECURE 2.0 provision: allowing employers to deposit matching contributions into a Roth account even when the employee's own contributions are pre-tax. Lucas and Luna unpack how this works, why some plan sponsors are adopting it in 2026, and the tax implications for savers. They walk through a concrete example: a worker earning $75,000 who defers 6% pre-tax and receives a 50% match — now that match can be Roth, meaning tax-free growth on the employer's dollars. The episode also covers the trade-offs, including the tax bill on the match amount, and why this option isn't right for everyone. A timely look at a feature that could reshape how employees think about their match.

#RothMatch #401k #SECURE2Point0 #RetirementSavings #EmployerMatch #PreTaxVsRoth #TaxFreeGrowth #Fidelity #Vanguard #PlanDesign #2026 #Finance #PersonalFinance #RetirementPlanning #401kPodcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #EmployerBenefits

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Episode 101 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo explores the new lifetime income features hitting 401k plans in 2026. Lucas and Luna break down how SECURE 2.0 paved the way for annuities and guaranteed withdrawal benefits inside employer retirement plans. They discuss the difference between in-plan annuities, deferred income annuities, and qualified longevity annuity contracts (QLACs). The hosts walk through a concrete example: a 55-year-old saver with $400,000 in their 401k deciding whether to annuitize a portion for guaranteed lifetime income. They cover the trade-offs: fees, liquidity, inflation risk, and why this option matters as traditional pensions disappear. Learn how to evaluate whether your plan's new lifetime income option is worth it, and what questions to ask your benefits team. This episode is essential for anyone approaching retirement who wants predictable income without leaving their 401k.

#LifetimeIncome #401k #SECURE2Act #RetirementIncome #Annuities #QLAC #InPlanAnnuity #GuaranteedIncome #PensionAlternative #DIA #RetirementPlanning #Fiduciary #EmployeeBenefits #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #EmployerPlans #IncomeStream

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In this milestone 100th episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the in-service distribution option—a little-known feature that lets you roll over your 401k balance to an IRA while still employed. They break down the rules: who qualifies (typically age 59½ or older, or after a plan-specific holding period), the tax implications, and why it matters for investment flexibility, lower fees, and estate planning. Using a concrete example of a 60-year-old engineer with a $400,000 401k, they walk through the decision to transfer to a low-cost IRA. They also address common pitfalls, such as losing creditor protection under federal law and triggering mandatory 20% withholding if done incorrectly. The episode gives listeners a clear framework for evaluating whether their plan offers this option and how to execute it without tax surprises. Perfect for anyone nearing retirement or wanting more control over their retirement savings.

#401k #InServiceDistribution #RetirementPlanning #IRA #Rollover #EmployerPlan #Finance #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Fexingo #RetirementSavings #TaxTips #EstatePlanning #InvestmentFlexibility #CreditorProtection #ERISA #SECURE2point0

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Episode 99 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo digs into the updated hardship withdrawal rules under SECURE 2.0 that took full effect this year. Lucas and Luna explain the new limit on self-certification, the removal of the 6-month contribution suspension, and how the 'deemed' event framework has shifted. They walk through a real-world example: a participant needing $15,000 for medical bills, comparing the old process to the new one. The episode also covers the ambiguous new rule on 'other resources' and what plan sponsors are actually doing in mid-2026. No fluff—just the concrete changes that affect anyone who might need a hardship distribution from their 401k.

#401k #HardshipWithdrawal #SECURE2.0 #RetirementPlanning #EmployeeBenefits #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementSavings #PlanSponsor #IRS #SelfCertification #ContributionSuspension #DeemedEvent #MedicalExpenses #FinancialDistress #EmployerRetirementPlans #LongTermSaving

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By mid-2026, thousands of 401k plans have added student loan matching under SECURE 2.0, letting employees get employer matching contributions for paying down student debt instead of saving in the plan. Lucas and Luna walk through how the provision works, who qualifies, and what the fine print says about vesting, plan design, and earnings limits. They talk through real examples from major plan recordkeepers and what it means for younger workers. This episode does not cover Roth matching for student loans—that was episode 96. Instead, it's a focused look at the basic pre-tax student loan matching provision, including a caution about how the matching can interact with your own 401k elective deferrals if you do save while getting the loan match. Also, a brief reminder about supporting the show at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo.

#SECURE2.0 #StudentLoanMatching #401k #EmployerMatch #RetirementPlanning #LoanRepayment #Fiduciary #PlanSponsor #Vesting #Deferral #IRS #CatchUp #QDIA #AutoEnrollment #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #The401kPodcast

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Target-date funds are the default investment in most 401k plans, but few participants understand how the 'glide path' actually works. Lucas and Luna break down a specific example: Vanguard's 2060 fund, which holds 90% stocks until 2035, then gradually shifts to a 50/50 stock-bond split by retirement. They explain why some plans use a 'through' glide path that keeps stocks higher after retirement, versus a 'to' glide path that settles earlier. They also discuss the recent trend toward lower equity allocations in early glide paths, citing BlackRock's 2025 redesign that reduced stock exposure from 95% to 85% in their 2060 fund. Listeners learn how to check their own fund's glide path and whether it aligns with their risk tolerance. A concrete framework for a decision millions of Americans face.

#TargetDateFund #GlidePath #401k #RetirementPlanning #Vanguard #BlackRock #AssetAllocation #Stocks #Bonds #RiskManagement #InvestmentStrategy #RetirementInvesting #Fiduciary #Diversification #Finance #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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Episode 96 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo explores the latest innovation in employer retirement plans: pairing Roth matching contributions with student loan payments. Lucas and Luna break down how this works under SECURE 2.0, using a concrete example from a mid-sized tech firm that implemented the feature in early 2026. They discuss the tax implications for employees, the administrative hurdles for plan sponsors, and why this trend could reshape how younger workers approach their 401k. Specific numbers and a real-world case make this a practical guide for anyone with student debt and a 401k.

#401k #StudentLoanMatching #RothMatch #SECURE20 #RetirementPlanning #EmployerBenefits #StudentDebt #TaxStrategy #FinancialWellness #HR #Fiduciary #PlanSponsor #Roth401k #LoanRepayment #BenefitDesign #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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Episode 95 of The 401k Podcast explores how SECURE 2.0 allows employers to match student loan payments with retirement contributions, even if the employee doesn't contribute to the 401k. Lucas and Luna break down the mechanics using a real-world example: a 28-year-old earning $60,000 with $35,000 in student debt. They explain how the match works, the tax implications, and why this could be the single most impactful retirement benefit for younger workers. The hosts also compare the student loan match to traditional matching and discuss which employers are adopting it so far. A must-listen for anyone with student debt who wants to save for retirement without sacrificing loan payments.

#401k #StudentLoanMatching #SECURE2.0 #Retirement #EmployerMatch #StudentDebt #Benefits #HR #PersonalFinance #Finance #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #The401kPodcast #LucasAndLuna #DebtAndSavings #MatchingContribution #TaxAdvantaged

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