Hinterhaus Productions/Getty Images Show An after-tax 401(k) gives you the ability to supersize your retirement contributions, helping you reach your investment goals even faster. You can still have an after-tax 401(k) even after you’ve maxed out your traditional or Roth 401(k) contributions for the year, if your employer allows it. Here’s how an after-tax 401(k) works, and what you need to know to see if it’s right for you. How an after-tax 401(k) worksAn after-tax 401(k) lets workers take even greater advantage of their employer-sponsored retirement plan by giving them an extra way to save more for their golden years. An after-tax 401(k) allows savers to put after-tax money into a 401(k) account, and that money can grow on a tax-deferred basis until retirement. When it comes time to take a distribution, contributions can be withdrawn tax-free (since tax has already been paid on them). Meanwhile, any earnings on that money will be considered taxable and will be taxed as ordinary income. An after-tax 401(k) may sound like it’s a Roth 401(k), which also uses after-tax money, but don’t confuse the two. The Roth 401(k) offers different – and better – tax advantages. After-tax 401(k) contributionsYou can add a lot more to an after-tax 401(k) than in a core 401(k) plan. Employee contributions are limited to $20,500 (for 2022) plus an additional $6,500 catch-up contribution for those age 50 and older. But the after-tax 401(k) plan allows you to contribute up to a combined total of $61,000 (for 2022, or $67,500 for those 50 and older), including any employer matching funds. Many 401(k) plans allow you to contribute to an after-tax 401(k) plan at the same time as you’re contributing to your core 401(k) plan. But the after-tax plan’s advantages are not quite as strong as ones offered by the core plan. So an after-tax 401(k) works best for those who are able to max out their contributions to a traditional or Roth 401(k) and want to stash more money in a retirement plan. The catch is whether your employer offers the after-tax 401(k) — and many employers do not, even if they offer a traditional or Roth 401(k) plan. After-tax 401(k) benefitsThe after-tax 401(k) is an extension of many of the benefits that already exist in the core 401(k) retirement account, but it also offers additional benefits:
The ability to roll over your after-tax 401(k) contributions to a Roth IRA while still with your employer is a valuable feature that effectively allows you to stash more money in your Roth IRA, and you can do so in some cases with minimal tax consequences, too. This rollover is called a “mega-backdoor Roth IRA,” and it’s recently been in the crosshairs of Congress. It could be eliminated in the future, though the subject remains up for discussion. Can I contribute to an after-tax 401(k) and another 401(k)?You can contribute to an after-tax 401(k) and another 401(k) or many other 401(k) plans. The key point to remember is that your contributions as an employee may not exceed the annual cap on contributions, which is $20,500 for 2022, or $27,000 for those age 50 and older. On top of that employee contribution, you may make contributions as an employer, for example, if you’re self-employed and have a solo 401(k) or are able to participate in profit-sharing plans. Between your employee contributions and your employer contribution, you are limited to an annual maximum of $61,000 for 2022, or $67,500 for those age 50 and older. Bottom lineAn after-tax 401(k) is great if you want to stash away more cash each year in a tax-advantaged retirement account, and it can help you reach your retirement goals sooner. As you’re planning, however, make sure that the 401(k) offers investments that meet your needs, or you may end up putting money into the wrong investment just to get a tax advantage from the account. Should I do pretax or afterChoosing between pre-tax and Roth 401(k) contributions may be trickier than you expect, according to financial experts. Pre-tax 401(k) deposits reduce your adjusted gross income, and the money grows tax-deferred. By contrast, Roth 401(k) contributions don't provide an upfront write-off, but earnings are tax-free.
Is money in a 401k preYou fund 401(k)s (and other types of defined contribution plans) with "pretax" dollars, meaning your contributions are taken from your paycheck before taxes are deducted. That means that if you fund a 401(k), you lower the amount of income you have to pay taxes on, which can soften the blow to your take-home pay.
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