SIMPLE IRAs allow an additional $3,000 for employees over the age of 50, while 401(k)s allow for over twice that amount at $6,500. The 401(k)'s larger employee contribution limit translates to greater savings and a lower taxable income for plan participants.
SIMPLE IRA Advantages
The reporting requirements and other criteria are less onerous than with a 401(k), making it easier for small companies to offer retirement benefits. Pre-tax contributions. For employees, contributing to a SIMPLE IRA reduces your taxable income, providing a tax benefit today.
The 401(k) is simply objectively better. The employer-sponsored plan allows you to add much more to your retirement savings than an IRA – $20,500 compared to $6,000 in 2022. Plus, if you're over age 50 you get a larger catch-up contribution maximum with the 401(k) – $6,500 compared to $1,000 in the IRA.
Choose a SIMPLE IRA Plan. SIMPLE IRA plans can provide a significant source of income at retirement by allowing employers and employees to set aside money in retirement accounts. SIMPLE IRA plans do not have the start-up and operating costs of a conventional retirement plan.
All employees who received at least $5,000 in compensation from you during any 2 preceding calendar years (whether or not consecutive) and who are reasonably expected to receive at least $5,000 in compensation during the calendar year, are eligible to participate in the SIMPLE IRA plan for the calendar year.
If you withdraw money from a SIMPLE IRA during the two-year waiting period, you may be subject to a 25% early-distribution penalty. However, transfers or rollovers between two SIMPLE IRAs are exempt from the IRS's two-year rule.
The Bottom Line
SIMPLE IRAs provide a convenient alternative for small employers who don't want the bureaucratic and fiduciary complexities that come with a qualified plan. Employees still get tax and savings benefits, plus instant vesting of employer contributions.
Some alternatives for retirement savers include IRAs and qualified investment accounts. IRAs, like 401(k)s, offer tax advantages for retirement savers. If you qualify for the Roth option, consider your current and future tax situation to decide between a traditional IRA and a Roth.
An IRA generally has more investment choices than a 401(k). An IRA allows you to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty for certain expenses like higher education, up to $10,000 for a first home purchase or health insurance if you are unemployed.
Add tax-deferred growth of earnings, and what's not to like? But as positive as all this is, there's a good case for having an IRA in addition to your 401(k). An IRA not only gives you the ability to save even more, it might also give you more investment choices than you have in your employer-sponsored plan.
The tax-deferred status of a SIMPLE IRA enables your money to grow more quickly. In a taxable account, you would have to pay taxes on an annual basis on your interest earnings and realized capital gains. Within a SIMPLE IRA, such earnings compound without being exposed to taxation at the state or federal level.
Transfers from SIMPLE IRAs
You may be able to transfer money in a tax-free rollover from your SIMPLE IRA to another IRA (except a Roth IRA) or to an employer-sponsored retirement plan (such as a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan).
With a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-free, and you can generally make tax- and penalty-free withdrawals after age 59½. With a Traditional IRA, you contribute pre- or after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as current income after age 59½.
SIMPLE IRA contribution limits are slightly lower than 401(k) limits, although higher than what is permitted with a traditional IRA. Employees can contribute up to $13,500 or 100% of their annual income – whichever is less. If they are 50 or older, they can deposit an extra $3,000 a year catch-up contribution.
Flexible eligibility.
Unlike SIMPLE IRAs, SIMPLE 401(k)s have the same opportunity to design eligibility for participants as traditional 401(k) plans do. This may reduce the cost of employer contributions when compared to the SIMPLE IRA.
Key differences between the two programs include the following: The SEP IRA allows only employers to contribute to the plan, and employees are not allowed to add money. The SIMPLE IRA allows employees to add money using elective deferrals from their paycheck, so they can control how much they want to save.
Employer contributions can be a match of the amount the employee contributes, up to 3% of the employee's salary. An employer may choose to lower the matching limit to below 3%.
If you qualify as a first-time home buyer, you can withdraw up to $10,000 from your IRA to use as a down payment (or to help build a home) without having to pay the 10% early withdrawal penalty. However, you'll still have to pay regular income tax on the withdrawal.
In general, you're eligible to participate in a SIMPLE IRA if you've received at least $5,000 in compensation during any two preceding calendar years and expect to earn at least that much during the calendar year of participation.
Key Takeaways. 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.