When it comes to saving for retirement, a 401(k) is a powerful tool that can help you build a substantial nest egg. With contribution limits set at $23,000 for those under 50 and $30,500 for savers age 50 or older, the question arises: should you be maxing out your 401(k) contributions? Let's explore the factors to consider when deciding whether to maximize your 401(k) contributions.
The 401(k) Basics
First, let’s determine a minimum contribution to a Roth or traditional 401(k). If your employer offers to match your contribution, getting the most out of this benefit should be your goal. The match is usually capped at a percentage of your salary, for example, 6%.
The formula is determined by your employer, and it may be a dollar-for-dollar match, or a percentage of your contribution. Or it could be a combination of the two. From the employer’s perspective, matching allows them to provide you with a benefit and incentivizes you to save for your retirement. It doesn’t count against your own contributions.
You want to figure out the amount you need to contribute to get all employer matching funds allowed. Otherwise, you’re leaving money on the table. This is the first minimum hurdle.
Once you’ve met the match, how much more should you contribute? Your 401(k) may offer an automatic increase feature that pushes your percentage up every year. This can be a good idea to help you save money over time, and it’s usually capped at a specific percentage, such as 10%.
Another general rule is to contribute 15% of your salary. As your salary increases, you may max out your contribution before you get to 15% of your salary. Whether or not that’s the case, should you be maxing out contributions?
Are There Better Uses for the Funds?
Even if your salary is high enough that maxing out contributions is not a burden, there are some boxes to check first.
Is your “rainy day fund” fully funded? You may need more than you think, especially if your salary or lifestyle has changed. You should have enough saved to cover either 3-6 months of your salary or 3-6 months of your expenses. Drawing money from a 401(k) if you need funds is expensive in terms of penalties and taxes, and it’s generally a better idea to put money aside in advance than have to withdraw from your retirement funds.
Have you considered a Health Savings Account? HSAs allow you to put money aside for health care costs. Diverting some funds to an HSA may make sense, as they are “triple tax-advantaged,” meaning that you contribute with pre-tax dollars, the funds grow tax-free, and they are not taxed when you use them for qualified health care expenses. This is an advantage over funds in a traditional 401(k) or similar account, which are taxed upon withdrawal.
For 2024, the amount you can contribute to an HSA is $4,150 for an individual and $8,300 for family coverage. These accounts also have a catch-provision, allowing those 55 and older to contribute an additional $1,000. It is necessary to select a high-deductible health care plan to be eligible to save in a health savings account.
When Should You Max Out?
If you are in a high tax bracket, contributing to a 401(k) now and withdrawing the money in retirement, when your tax bracket may be lower, can make sense. However, taxes tend to increase over time.
Especially as you get close to retirement, beginning to plan not just savings but the tax strategies you will implement to keep your taxes low once you’ve retired is critical. Having an overall picture of how much you need for income and where you will draw funds from can help you keep taxes low and may provide clarity on 401(k) contributions now.
Your Goals, Plans, and Lifestyle Should Be Considered
Creating a retirement nest egg is just one piece of the retirement puzzle. Are there goals that are more important to you now? When do you want to retire? What does that retirement look like? If you want to buy an investment property at the beach that you’ll move into once you retire, that may be more important.
You also want to consider your entire investment strategy. Retirement plan investment options may be limited, and you may prefer setting up a taxable account where you have more choices that may help you get to your goal. If you have a concentrated stock position from your employer’s stock, you may want to develop a strategy to mitigate the concentration risk away from equities.
The Bottom Line
Having a plan for retirement is critical, and saving as much as possible in a Roth or traditional 401(k) is usually the foundation. But as you move along your financial journey, it’s a good idea to create a bigger-picture plan that takes more into account so you can decide what’s right for you.
Bankrate Financial Independence Survey, March 2023.
The information contained herein is intended to be used for educational purposes only and is not exhaustive. Diversification and/or any strategy that may be discussed does not guarantee against investment losses but are intended to help manage risk and return. If applicable, historical discussions and/or opinions are not predictive of future events. The content is presented in good faith and has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The content is not intended to be legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult a legal, tax or financial professional for information specific to your individual situation.
Comments