More companies today are offering aRoth 401(k)option as part of their retirement plans. If your employer is among them, and you’ve decided to go the Roth route, here are six ways to maximize your returns.
Key Takeaways
- The earlier in your career that you start contributing to a Roth 401(k), the better as this takes advantage of investment compounding and annual contribution limits.
- You can fund both a Roth 401(k) and a Roth IRA, which has its own advantages.
- Roth 401(k)s (but not Roth IRAs) are subject to required minimum distributions at age 73, but you can avoid that by moving your Roth 401(k) money to a Roth IRA, allowing it to continue to grow.
- 401(k)s have a higher contribution limit than IRAs, but you have greater flexibility in choosing your own broker and a wider choice of investments with an IRA.
- Contributions into Roth retirement accounts are not tax deductible, but earnings are allowed to grow tax-free. It's the opposite for traditional 401(k)s and traditional IRAs.
1. Start Early
As with many investments,the sooner you start, the better your eventual returnsare likely to be. An added advantage of opening a Roth 401(k) as early as possible in your career is that, unlike a traditional 401(k) or traditional IRA, you fund it with after-tax income and pay taxes on that money today, rather than later in life when you may be in a highermarginal tax bracket.
Your tax rate is generally lowest when you’re young and early in your career. Once you’re further along and have received some promotions and raises, your tax rate will probably be higher. While a traditional 401(k) or traditional IRA allows for immediate deductibility of contributions, this tax benefit is better suited for higher earners who are in elevated tax brackets.
2. Hedge Your Bets
Nobody knows what will happen in the economy by the time your retirement date arrives. While it might not be something you want to think about, an adverse event, such as a job loss, could put you in a lower tax bracket than you are in right now. For these reasons, some financial advisers suggest clients hedge their bets by splitting their money between a Roth 401(k) and atraditional 401(k).
In the investment world, ahedgeis like an insurance policy. It removes a certain amount of risk. In this case, if you split your retirement funds between a traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k), you would pay half the taxes now, at what should be the lower tax rate, and half when you retire, when rates could be either higher or lower.
If your employer matches any or all of your Roth 401(k) contributions, it has to do that in a separate, pretax account, so there’s a good chance you’ll end up with both Roth and traditional 401(k)s anyway.
When it comes time to retire and withdraw contributions, this also allows you greater latitude in withdrawing funds. You may have to withdraw a certain amount from your traditional retirement accounts to avoid a hefty tax liability. The remainder of your living expenses can be funded from your Roth accounts.
Whatever you do, put enough money into your company 401(k) to make the most of your employer's match. It's free money.
3. Know Your Limits
If you’re under age 50,you cancontribute an annual maximumof $22,500to your 401(k) accounts for 2023 and $23,000 in 2024. If you’re 50 or over, you’re allowed an additionalcatch-up contributionto 401(k)s of $7,500 in 2023 and in 2024.
You can split your contributions between a Roth and a traditional 401(k), but your total contributions can’t exceed the maximum amount.
Keep in mind that 401(k)s also have a maximum total contribution limit when considering your employer’s contributions as well. The total contributions from both you and your employer into a 401(k) cannot exceed the lesser of 100% of your salary—subject to a $330,000 max for 2023 and $345,000 max for 2024.
4. Fund a Roth IRA Too
You can contribute to both a Roth 401(k) and a separate Roth IRA, as long as youdon’t exceed the income limits on the latter.
For 2023, the IRS's Roth IRA income eligibility and phase-out ranges are as follows:
- $138,000 to $153,000 for singles and heads of household
- $218,000 to $228,000 to married couples filing jointly
- $0 to $10,000 for married couples filing separately
For 2024, the IRS's Roth IRA income eligibility and phase-out ranges are as follows:
- $146,000 to $161,000 for singles and heads of household
- $230,000 to $240,000 to married couples filing jointly
- $0 to $10,000 for married couples filing separately
Income earners below the minimum threshold can contribute 100% of the IRA contribution limit. Income earners above the threshold are not eligible to contribute. Income within the phase-out range is subject to a percentage contribution restriction.
Contribution Limits
Both Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s take after-tax contributions. Beyond that, the two vehicles are viewed differently as an IRA vs. 401(k). Roth IRAs are subject to the IRA contribution limit, while Roth 401(k)s are subject to the 401(k) contribution limit. The IRA contribution limit is much lower than the 401(k) limit.
In 2023, the contribution limit for any type of IRA, up to $6,500 if you are under age 50. Individuals over 50 can contribute $1,000 in catch-up contributions. Keep in mind the $6,500 IRA limit and $1,000 catch-up contribution limits comprehensively apply to all types of IRAs you contribute to.
In 2024, the contribution limit is increased for any type of IRA, up to $7,000 if you are under age 50. Individuals 50 and older may still qualify for the additional $1,000 catch-up contribution.
The Roth IRA has some other benefits worth considering. You may have more investment options than your employer might offer, and the rules for withdrawing funds are more relaxed. You are generally able to withdraw your contributions (but not their earnings) at any time and pay zero taxes or penalties. That’s not the point of a retirement account, of course, but knowing you couldtake out some money in an emergencymight be reassuring.
Review your account periodically to check how your investments are performing and whether your asset allocation is still on track.
5. Plan for Withdrawals—or Not
Once you reach age 73, you must begin to takerequired minimum distributions (RMDs)from both traditional and Roth 401(k)s. If you don’t, there is a penalty of 25% of the remaining amount. (Both numbers were changes from earlier years, and are effective as of Jan. 1, 2023.)
However, you can avoid this problem by moving your Roth 401(k) funds to a Roth IRA. Roth IRAs don’t require RMDs during the account holder’s lifetime.
If you don’t need the cash to cover your living costs, you can let that money continue to grow well into your retirement years and even pass, untouched, to your heirs.
Note that if you’re still employed at age 73, you do not have to take RMDs from either a Roth or a traditional 401(k) at the company where you work.
One difference if you do end up taking RMDs: Distributions from a traditional 401(k) are taxable at your current income tax rate, but the Roth 401(k) money is not (because you contributed after-tax funds).
6. Don’t Forget About It
Employer-sponsored retirement plans are easy to neglect. Many people just let their account statements pile up unopened. As the years go by, they may have little knowledge of their account balances or how their various investments are performing. They may not even remember exactly what they’re invested in.
A retirement account isn’t meant for constant changes. However, it’s wise to evaluate the investments you chose at least once a year. If they’re constantly underperforming, it might be time for a change. Or, yourasset allocationmay have gotten out of whack, with too much money in one category such as stocks and too little in another such as bonds.
If you’re not well-versed in the investment world, it’s probably best to get the advice of an unbiased financial professional, such as a fee-only financial planner.
How Does a Roth 401(k) Work?
When you contribute to a Roth 401(k), your contributions are not deducted on your taxes. The income you pay into the account has been taxed.
This means when you retire and it's time to make withdrawals, you won't pay taxes on your investment or on any gains you've made.
Is a Roth 401(k) Better Than a Traditional 401(k)?
Both types of accounts are tremendous ways to save for retirement, especially if your employer is offering a match.
A traditional 401(k) has immediate tax advantages. You're deducting the contributions from your income and paying less in taxes while you're working.
A Roth 401(k) is a bigger immediate hit on your spendable income. But down the road, you'll owe no taxes on your account, not even on the profits your money earned.
What Is the Downside of a Roth 401(k)?
The main disadvantage to any Roth retirement account is there is no immediate tax benefit. It leaves you with a little less income to spend each month.
In addition, distributions from a Roth 401(k) are often less flexible than Roth IRA distributions.
The Bottom Line
Smart savers have many tools at their disposal to save for retirement. One of those items in their arsenal is the Roth 401(k).
Though it doesn't provide immediate tax benefits, earnings can grow tax-free. Your employer may match contributions, though those contributions will be put into a traditional 401(k). If you decide a Roth 401(k) is right for you, consider the income limits and contribution thresholds.
