401k is more tax efficient compared to a Roth. Roths have more liquidity though. If you already have a good emergency savings account in place, I would put 75%-85% of the money you want to invest in your 401k and the remainder in a Roth. That way you get the tax advantaged of the 401k and the liquidity of the Roth.
One key disadvantage: Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, meaning there's no tax deduction in the years you contribute.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. A Roth 401(k) has higher contribution limits and allows employers to make matching contributions. A Roth IRA allows your investments to grow for a longer period, offers more investment options, and makes early withdrawals easier.
You can still contribute to a Roth IRA (individual retirement account) and/or a traditional IRA as long as you meet the IRA's eligibility requirements. It usually makes sense to contribute enough to your 401(k) account to get the maximum matching contribution from your employer.
If you contribute 5,000 dollars per year to a Roth IRA and earn an average annual return of 10 percent, your account balance will be worth a figure in the region of 250,000 dollars after 20 years.
If you have a Roth 401(k), you cannot contribute more than what you earn at the company that holds your plan. With most retirement accounts, you can't access the money you contribute or any investment earnings before retirement age without incurring a 10% early withdrawal penalty, plus any applicable income taxes.
Key Takeaways. Contributing as much as you can and at least 15% of your pre-tax income is recommended by financial planners. The rule of thumb for retirement savings says you should first meet your employer's match for your 401(k), then max out a Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA. Then you can go back to your 401(k).
If you want to keep things simple and preserve the tax treatment of a 401(k), a traditional IRA is an easy choice. A Roth IRA may be good if you wish to minimize your tax bill in retirement. The caveat is that you'll likely face a big tax bill today if you go with a Roth — unless your old account was a Roth 401(k).
The Bottom Line. If you leave your job, your 401(k) will stay where it is until you decide what you want to do with it. You have several choices including leaving it where it is, rolling it over to another retirement account, or cashing it out.
You may not want to open a Roth IRA if you expect your income (and tax rate) to be higher at present and lower in retirement. A traditional IRA allows you to devote less income now to making the maximum contribution to the account, giving you more available cash.
A 401(k) plan is one of the best ways to save for retirement, and if you can get bonus “match” money from your employer, you can save even more quickly. A 401(k) plan is one of the best ways to save for retirement, and if you can get bonus “match” money from your employer, you can save even more quickly.
You're never too old to fund a Roth IRA. The earlier you start a Roth IRA, the longer you have to save and take advantage of compound interest. Even when you're close to retirement or already in retirement, opening this special retirement savings vehicle can still make sense under some circumstances.
The answer depends heavily on your own financial situation. However, one of the primary factors in making the decision is your tax rate. If you're paying a higher tax rate today than you will in retirement, it probably makes sense for you to go with the traditional 401(k).
The Roth IRA contribution limit for 2024 is $7,000 for those under 50, and $8,000 for those 50 and older. In 2025, the Roth IRA contribution limit is the same as for 2024 at $7,000 for those under 50, and $8,000 for those 50 and older.
Because of their deferred tax advantage, Roth IRAs may be best suited to workers early in their career or earning relatively low incomes compared to what they expect to earn later in life for whom the upfront tax advantage isn't as important. Income restrictions may apply.
The Bottom Line. In a 401(k) vs. Roth IRA matchup, a Roth IRA can be a better choice than a 401(k) retirement plan, as it typically offers more investment options and greater tax benefits. It may be especially useful if you think you'll be in a higher tax bracket later on.
Deferring Social Security payments, rolling over old 401(k)s, setting up IRAs to avoid the mandatory 20% federal income tax, and keeping your capital gains taxes low are among the best strategies for reducing taxes on your 401(k) withdrawal.
Yes, it's possible to roll 401(k) funds into a Roth IRA without a penalty, but you have to pay taxes on the converted amount in the year you do the conversion.
The simple version says the Roth account needs to have been funded for five years before you withdraw any earnings—even after you've reached age 59½—or you could owe taxes. In addition, nonqualified withdrawals before that age could also trigger a 10% penalty.
For personal finance guru Dave Ramsey, one retirement account option stands apart from the rest. Ramsey recommended contributing to a company-administered 401(k), but not necessarily the traditional version. “We always recommend the Roth option if your plan offers one,” said Ramsey.
For example, if you contributed $19,500 per year for 20 years, and your account earns an average yield of 7%, you will have an account balance of almost $900,000 at the end of 20 years. This does not include any employer match that also would have gone into your 401(k) over those 20 years.
Income limits for Roth IRAs
For 2024, the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) phaseout ranges for Roth IRA direct contributions are: $146,000 to $161,000 for individuals filing as single or head of household. $230,000 to $240,000 for married couples filing jointly.
On the flip side, it may make less sense to contribute to a Roth 401(k) if you think your tax bracket will be lower in retirement than it is now. In this case, a traditional tax deferred contribution to a 401(k) could make more sense.