A 401(k) plan is a type of savings account that allows employees to save on their own (up to certain limits), and pay lower taxes because all 401(k) accounts are taxed before contributions. Deductions for these plans are commonly made pre-taxed, while deposits into traditional or Roth IRA's are deposited post-taxed. 401(k) plans usually make a matching contribution in addition to whatever the employee contributes. 401(k) plans typically provide a selection of investments, including stock and bond mutual funds and money market accounts. Once an employee has opened up a 401(k) account, he or she can decide how to invest the money in his or her 401(k). The employer may offer 401(k)s with various investment options. 401(k)s usually allow employees to select mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and money market accounts. 401(k) plans offer benefits to participants. Some employers match 401(k) contributions, which can be a terrific incentive for employees to increase their 401(k) contribution levels. 401(k) plans are tax-advantaged accounts because the money that has been contributed is deductible from current income taxes. Employees can also control how much they contribute to their plans, and the contributions are taxed at the time they are made. 401(k) plans encourage people to save more toward their retirement. The money that is contributed into the accounts can be deducted from an employee's taxable income, and this helps lower his or her taxable income. 401(k) plans also allow employees to defer investing until their retirement years, rather than having to use their income for investments now. Some 401(k) plans let you contribute more money into a plan if your taxable income is reduced during the year. 401(k) plans provide you with an option of creating a 401(k) within your 401(k) so that the money you contribute is not subject to taxes. 401(k) plans are built on certain assumptions, which include that employees are paid twice per month or 24 times per year. 401(k) plans can be adapted to fit an employee's pay schedule, which means that the participants don't have to wait for their next paycheck to put money into their accounts. 401(k) participants may contribute as little or as much as they want, and they can divide the contribution over a number of paychecks if they want. 401(k) participants can also specify how much of their contributions go to pre-tax and post-tax accounts, which means that 401(k)s can fit both high and low incomes. 401(k) plan participants have the option of choosing 401(k) investments, which means that plans can adapt to any participant. 401(k) plans allow you to change your investments as often as you want within certain guidelines. 401(k) plans also provide more investment options than some other types of retirement plans. 401(k) plans allow participants to treat 401(k)s like wills and leave 401(k) accounts to heirs for tax purposes. 401(k) account balances that pass onto loved ones at death are not taxed. Plan participants can also choose beneficiaries, which helps them provide 401(k) accounts to heirs. 401(k) participants have the option to invest in 401(k)s through different types of investments. Some 401(k) plans are called matching 401(k)s, 401(k)s with profit-sharing or 401(k)s with 401(k) accounts. 401(k) participants have the option to invest 401(k) money in 401(k) plans through stock and bond mutual funds and money market accounts. 401(k) participants have the option of taking 401(k) loans, but 401(k) plan loans must be paid back within a set time period. 401(k) plan loan terms vary from plan to plan, and plan participants may borrow money from their accounts to use for almost any purpose. Plan participants can also pay loans back with 401(k) money. Employers sometimes require 401(k) contribution levels to be a certain percentage of taxable income, and 401(k)s don't count 401(k) plans as taxable income. 401(k) participants who are required to contribute a certain percentage of their accounts often don't have working plans, and plans can help employers increase the participation rates. 401(k) plan participants have the option of choosing investments, which means that 401(k) plans can adapt to any participant. 401(k) plans allow you to change investments as often participants want within the account guidelines. Participants also have the option of choosing investment options like stock and bond mutual funds and money market accounts. Storing money in a 401(k) plan is an excellent approach to prepare for your retirement years. 401(k) plans allow participants to contribute money at any time and allow the participants to change 401(k) account investments easily. 401(k) plans offer contributors more investment options than some other types of retirement accounts, and these plans can be a great estate planning tool. 401(k) plans also encourage 401(k) participation because participants can take loans if they want. These are just some of the benefits you can enjoy with a 401(k) plan. What Is a 401(k) Plan?
Have questions about 401(k) Plans? Click here.How Does 401(k) Work?
The Benefits of Getting a 401(k) Plan
401(k) Plans Are Tax-Advantaged Accounts
401(k) Plans Encourage Saving for Retirement
401(k) May Lower Your Tax Bracket
401(k) Plan Has More Flexible Options for Contributions
401(k) Plans Give You the Option of Choosing Your Own Investments
401(k) Plans Can Be a Great Estate Planning Tool
401(k) Plans Offer a Variety of Investment Options
401(k) Plan Allows You to Take Loans From 401(K) Accounts
401(k) Plans Encourage Better 401(K) Participation
401(K) Plans Offer More Investment Options Than Other Types of Retirement Plans
The Bottom Line
Benefits of 401(k) Plans FAQs
401(k) plans are tax-deferred retirement savings plans. 401(k) plan participants set aside contributions from their pre-tax wages. 401(k) money goes into their accounts, and plan participants don't pay 401(k) money until the plan participants decide to cash the 401(k) plans in.
401(k) plan participants set contributions at the beginning of the pay period. The contributions are deducted from the participant's pre-tax income, then goes into the 401(k) accounts, and the account holders don't pay tax until the participants decide to use the funds. The account holders can borrow from the accounts when needed, but the account holder must pay the loan back within a certain time period. 401(k) loans are not taxed or counted as taxable income if they are loans. 401(k) account holders can choose from investments like stock and bond mutual funds and money market accounts.
401(k) plan benefits include contributions that are not taxed, 401(k) planning assets that can adapt 401(k) account holder needs, 401(k) accounts that encourage participation, and 401(k) plans with more investment options than other types of retirement accounts.
401(k) plan disadvantages include account fees, 401(k) accounts are subject to participant choices. The plans are taxed when the 401(k) is cashed in, the participants must pay loans back according to loan terms.
401(k) plan participants can choose how much they want to contribute at the beginning of a pay period. The account holders can change 401(k) contributions whenever they need.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.
