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What is a 401(k) Retirement Plan?

Updated: December 27, 2023
By: Jonathan Trout
Jonathan Trout
Content Manager
Jonathan is a former product and content manager for Retirement Living. His background spans sales/marketing, finance, and telecommunications. Jonathan’s expertise in consumer wellness and research-backed data stories helped educate seniors on financial planning, retirement, and community resources. Jonathan graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Environmental Sociology.
Content Manager
Edited by: Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith
Sr. Content Manager
As Retirement Living’s senior content manager, Jeff oversees the product and publishing of all retirement, investing, and consumer wellness content on the site. His extensive expertise in brand messaging and creating data-driven stories helps position Retirement Living as a top authority for senior content and community resources.
Sr. Content Manager

A 401(k) retirement plan is a tax-deferred, employer-sponsored savings plan that lets employees save and invest part of their paycheck before taxes are removed. Taxes are paid when the money is withdrawn from the account during retirement. Funds in a 401(k) are invested in mutual funds, bonds, and stocks, with the most popular option being target-date funds – a combination of stocks and bonds that slowly become more conservative as you get closer to retirement age.

401(k) retirement plans are considered defined contribution plans, meaning your balance is determined by how much you put into it and how well the investments perform. A 401(k) comes with many benefits, making it one of the most popular options to help you save for retirement.

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What are the Benefits of a 401(k) Retirement Plan?

There are some significant benefits that come with using a 401(k) retirement plan. Tax advantages and employer matching are two of the main advantages. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant benefits.

  • Pretax contributions– The contributions you make to your traditional 401(k) plan are made before the government takes its share. For example, the government usually takes around 20 to 30 cents per dollar for taxes so if you were to save $1,000 each month on your own, without using a 401(k), you’d need to earn around $1,200 – $1,000 plus $200 to cover your taxes.
  • Investments grow freely– Money in your 401(k) retirement plan remains protected from the IRS and any taxes on your investments’ growth. As long as your money stays in the 401(k), you pay no taxes on interest, dividends or investment gains. You only pay taxes when it comes time for you to withdraw funds from the account.
  • Employer matches– Possibly the most popular feature of the 401(k) retirement plan, the employer match is the same thing as free money. Most companies match either dollar-for-dollar or 50 cents per dollar, up to a certain percentage. In other words, if you contribute six percent of your paycheck, your company would contribute six percent as well.
  • Lower income taxes– Pretax contributions to your 401(k) lower your taxable income each year. If you make $55,000 per year and you contribute $12,000 to your 401(k) in a given year, you’d pay taxes on $43,000 instead of the full $55,000 of your salary.

What Happens to my 401(k) Retirement Plan if I Change Jobs?

Switching jobs is inevitable throughout your career. Luckily, your 401(k) plan can come with you wherever you go. At least your funds can. If you switch companies you have four options:

  • Leave it– Although it’s not your best option, you can leave your 401(k) with your old employer. You’ll be subject to record-keeping and other types of fees which can eventually take a significant chunk out of your account’s net worth.
  • Rollover to your new 401(k) retirement plan– Once you’ve had the chance to look at your new employer’s 401(k) investment options, take a moment to decide if you want to rollover your funds into the new 401(k) plan. If you aren’t satisfied with your new investment options, consider rolling your old 401(k) into an IRA.
  • Rollover to an IRA– Since 401(k) plans come with limited investment options, IRAs have become a popular option because they let you have more control over what you invest in while keeping your funds tax-deferred. To roll your 401(k) into a traditional or Roth IRA, order a distribution form your previous employer (report this on tax form 1099-R). You’ll get a check for the amount of your old 401(k) balance. Once you have your check, you have 60 days to place the money into an IRA. Make sure you report this deposit on tax form 5498 the following tax year.
  • Cash out your balance– While cashing out is an option, it’s highly recommended you avoid going this route. You’ll be missing out on years of tax-deferred compounding that your balance could have been earning. Keep in mind, if you cash out before the required distribution age, you’ll pay a 10 percent penalty fee.

401(k) Retirement Plan Contribution Limits

Contributions limits for 401(k) retirement plans are subject to change annually. The IRS reports any contribution limit changes for the next calendar year towards the end of the current year. The current maximum amount of money you can contribute to your 401(k) per year is $18,500. If you’re aged 50 or older by the end of the year, you can make additional contributions known as catch-up contributions, of up to $6,000. The maximum employer/employee joint 401(k) contribution limit is $55,000 or $61,000 if your aged 50 or older.

High-income earners, those who make well over six figures per year, are at a disadvantage when it comes to how much they can contribute to their 401(k). The IRS has set a current 401(k) contribution limit for high-income earners at $275,000 per year. Some employers have other options for high-earners to help them save additional money for retirement. If you’re a high-income earner, ask your employer about deferred compensation or executive bonus plans.

401(k) Distribution Rules

Withdrawals, called distributions when talking about 401(k) plans, are the amount of money you withdraw from your 401(k) retirement plan each year. Unlike a traditional IRA, where funds can be withdrawn at any point during the year, if you’re younger than 59 ½ years old, you can’t withdraw funds from a 401(k) before you reach that age unless a triggering event occurs. A triggering event is defined as a tangible or intangible occurrence that, once met, causes another event to occur. It can also be a certain predetermined milestone or event that you must qualify for or experience. Triggering events are usually written in a contract associated with your plan. You or your beneficiary can only withdraw money from a 401(k) retirement plan under the following conditions:

  • After you’ve reached the age of 59 ½
  • Upon your departure from your employer, disability or death
  • Predetermined hardship withdrawals (as laid out in your plan)
  • If your 401(k) retirement plan is terminated

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are when you’re required to start withdrawing money from your 401(k) plan. RMDs for a 401(k) must start when you turn 70 ½
years of age unless you’re still employed. In this case, your plan may let you put off RMDs until you are retired. It’s important to remember distributions are considered income and come with a 10 percent early distribution penalty if you withdraw money before age 59 ½. Common exceptions to this rule include:

  • Distributions happen after your death or disability
  • Distributions happen after you’ve left your employer as long as you’ve left during the year you turn 55 years old or later
  • Distributions are due to an IRS levy on your account
  • Distributions are due to a correction of excess contributions or deferrals

A 401(k) plan ties you to a lot of distribution rules. That’s why many people choose to roll their 401(k) into a Roth IRA before withdrawing any money during retirement. Taking advantage of this option lets you avoid these distribution rules and opens you up to more investment choices than those that come with a 401(k).

Bottom Line

Aside from the increasingly rare employee-offered pension plans, 401(k) retirement plans are one of the most popular ways to save for retirement thanks to their tax benefits and company-matched funds. If you can contribute at least the amount your employer will match and ideally increase your contributions each year, you’ll be on your way to a significant retirement savings account.