The 401(k) is rapidly becoming the most popular qualified retirement plan. More than 90% of large companies now offer a 401(k). With a 401(k), each employee has an individual account and is permitted to transfer a portion of his or her salary directly into the account each year.

Most 401(k) plans qualify for excluding the contribution from your taxable income each year. However, some employers have created a "Roth 401(k)" plan in which after-tax contributions are made.

To encourage employees to fund a 401(k), some employers also create a matching fund. The employer determines the amount of the match and the maximum. While many different plans are selected by employers, a typical employer match is $1 for $2 of contribution up to 6% of the employee's salary. With this plan, an employee who contributes the full 6% would receive a 3% employer match. Therefore, the total 401(k) contribution that year would be equal to 9% of the employee's income.

Contribution Limits

There are several potential contribution limits for employees. In 2024, the voluntary contribution by the employee is limited to $23,000. However, employees over age 50 during the year are permitted to add a "catch up" contribution of $7,500. The total annual employee contribution for those over age 50 is $30,500 this year. Both limits are indexed for inflation and increase in $500 increments. Some companies also will add a match or other company contribution to that amount.

Starting in 2026, individuals who have incomes over $145,000 will be required to transfer their catch-up contribution to a Roth 401(k) or IRA. This will require them to pay tax on the catch-up contribution, but the future distributions from the Roth account will be tax-free. While the catch-up contribution for retirement plan participants over age 50 is $7,500, starting in 2025 individuals who are 60, 61, 62 or 63 will be permitted to make a larger catch-up contribution to Sec. 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plans. The new amount will be the greater of $10,000 or 150% of the catch-up limit for that year.

The Roth IRA is currently exempted from distributions even if the owner has reached the normal RMD age. Starting in 2024, Roth 401(k) plans also will be exempted from RMDs. With no required distributions, Roth IRA and 401(k) plans will be permitted to increase in value during the life of the owner.

Most companies have highly compensated employees (HCE) who are subject to specific rules. To make certain that the contributions are fair, the employees with income above a certain threshold and owners of more than 5% of a business are limited in their contributions. There are various "safe harbor" provisions that allow the HCEs to contribute without worrying about the annual contribution tests. For example, if there is a non-elective contribution by the company of 3% or more for all employees, then the plan does not have to meet specific standards for highly compensated employees.

401(k) Investments

The employer will select a custodian of the 401(k) and typically there will be a group of mutual funds offered for 401(k) investments. The employee will have opportunity to select from the various mutual funds. These mutual funds are usually in four general categories.

The first category is stock mutual funds. Stocks have a long-term return of approximately 10%. For investments of 20 years or more, a percentage of the 401(k) in stocks will usually be a good decision. Stock funds generally include large cap, medium cap and small capitalization companies. Some funds may favor domestic companies and some foreign.

Stock funds should be fairly diversified to minimize the risk of loss if a company were to fail. A portfolio of large, midsized and small company mutual funds may own shares in 1,000 or more companies.

Bonds are the second type of investment fund. While yields the past decade have been lower, mid-term and long-term bonds have returned approximately 5.5% during the past 75 years. Because bond values change much more slowly than stock values, the bonds are a more stable investment than stocks and are appropriate for shorter timeframes before retirement. As 401(k) owners move into their 50s, 60s and 70s, the percentage of bonds normally increases and that of stocks decreases. Some advisors suggest that the percentage of bonds should match your age. For example, a person age 60 may choose to hold 60% in bonds and 40% in stocks.

Cash is the third investment option. Most 401(k) plans permit a money market fund or similar option. Returns on cash funds are frequently 1% to 3%, but these cash options preserve principal in a downturn.

Real estate is the fourth investment type. Some 401(k) plans permit real estate investment trust (REIT) investments. Real estate may be a good long-term investment, but also involves substantial potential risk.

401(k) Distributions

There are three general periods of time of importance to traditional 401(k) owners. Prior to age 59½, there is a 10% excise tax on distributions. For a regular 401(k), the owner who takes early distributions would pay both income tax plus the additional 10% excise tax. There are exceptions for disability, substantially equal payments over a lifetime or economic hardship, but most individuals attempt to avoid early withdrawals if possible.

Between age 59½ and age 73, there is a voluntary distribution option. As a 401(k) owner, you may choose to take distributions to cover living expenses. The distributions may be any amount from the regular 401(k), but will be reported by you as taxable income.

After age 73 (by April 1 of the following year), the plan owner must take at least the required minimum distribution (RMD). The required minimum distribution starts at approximately 3.8%at age 73 and increases to 8.2% by age 90. With one exception, the distributions by a 401(k) owner are governed by this schedule under the IRS Uniform Table. There is an exception when one spouse is more than 10 years younger than the other. A special table applies in that case.

401(k) Loans

A 401(k) plan document may permit the owner to take a loan from the account. Loans are limited to the lesser of 50% of your plan or $50,000, and must be repaid within five years (except for purchase of a primary residence). A reasonable rate of interest is charged. While the loan is repaid with after-tax dollars, your 401(k) account will grow by the amount of the loan interest.

401(k) Balances

Because the required initial withdrawal amount at age 73 is approximately 3.8%, many individuals with 401(k)s find their total fund balance increases until their early to mid-80s. Even with some reduction in fund balance between ages 85 and 95 because the withdrawal percentages continue to increase, many 401(k) owners will pass away with substantial balances.

Because there is likely to be a significant balance in your 401(k) when you pass away, careful selection of your designated beneficiaries is important. If you pass away with a substantial 401(k) balance, a significant amount will be distributed to your designated primary or contingent beneficiary. In most cases, your designated beneficiary will take distribution of your 401(k) over a term of ten years.