As of Q3 2023, portfolio data from Fidelity showed that roughly 378,000 individuals were 401(k) millionaires. Joining the ranks of the 401(k) millionaires may sound intimidating, but with consistency, patience, and an appropriate approach to investing, this lofty goal is achievable. Here is guidance on reaching a seven-figure 401(k) balance.
Key Takeaways
- Begin contributing to a 401(k) plan as early as you can.
- Contribute regularly by setting up automatic payroll deductions that invest in your pre-selected investments.
- Be mindful of annual contribution limits. In 2023, you're allowed to contribute $22,500. In 2024, the contribution limit is $23,000. You can also make catch-up contributions.
- Prioritize getting your employer's full match offering.
- Be hands-on in terms of your investments within your 401(k), and don't be afraid to take risks, especially when you are young.
Contribute Consistently and Enough
Becoming a 401(k) millionaire is slow going. Let's start with the first hurdle: you're only allowed to contribute a certain amount to your 401(k) each year. In 2023, this limit is $22,500. For 2024, it has been increased to $23,000. You can also make catch-up contributions if you're 50 years or older. The catch-up limit is $7,500 for both 2023 and 2024.
With these limits in mind, it is important to contribute as much as you can when you become eligible to save in a 401(k) plan.If your employer offers a match, contribute enough to earn the full match. Not doing so is leaving free money on the table.
The key is to start early, even if you are not able to maximize your full contribution potential amount. Consider that once a year has passed, that 401(k) contribution limit has passed. You can't make up for lost time, and 401(k) millionaires will have often made an early start on saving for their retirement.
Invest Appropriately
Select your 401(k) account investments based on your financial objectives, age, and risk tolerance. The general rule is that the longer you have until retirement, the more risk you can take. If you don't take an appropriate amount of risk, your account won’tgrow as fast as it could.
There are countless stories of plan participants in their 20s with all or a large percentage of their account in their plan's money market or stable value option. Although these options are low risk, they historicallydon't perform as well as equities over the long term.
Investment risk and investment return often have a positive relationship. If the risk of a portfolio is high, chances are better that investors will be rewarded with potentially higher returns. If risk is low, investors will not be rewarded and returns will usually be lower. Gauge your own risk preference, but understand that being risk adverse may limit your 401(k) potential.
When you change jobs, don't ignore your old 401(k). You can roll it over to an IRA, or you can roll it into a new plan.
Don't Neglect Old 401(k) Accounts
If you've changed jobs, you'll need to decide what to do about 401(k) accounts with old employers. You've got several options: rolling the accountover to an individual retirement account (IRA), leavingit in the old plan, or rolling it to a new employer's plan.
How you transfermoney from existingaccounts to a new account hastax implications. Because the money contributed into a 401(k) istax-deferred, withdrawing the money and not depositing it into a new tax-deferred retirement savingsaccount within 60 dayscould trigger taxes due, plusa 10% early-withdrawal penalty if you are younger than 59½. Instead, use adirect rollover to avoidpaying taxes or penalties on the withdrawal.
The most important thing is to keep tracking this money. As you move on in your career and have more employers, it can be difficult to remember where all your assets are. Whichever choice you make now, you may want to consolidate them with other retirement accounts, later on, to make your funds easier to manage.
Target-Date Funds Are Not a Magic Bullet
Target-date funds are typicallymutual funds with a mixture ofstocks, bonds, and other investments. They can be a turnkey option for retirement savers,as they base their aggressiveness on the target retirement date. Target-date funds are often offeredas a default option by plan sponsors when employees don't make an investment choice on their own.
Because target-date funds provide you with a diversified portfolio, they can be a good option for younger investors, who may not have other investments outside of their 401(k) plan. However, as you accumulatediversified investments outside of your 401(k), you may want to consider tailoring your 401(k) investments to fit into your overall investmentsituation.
One of the big selling points touted by target-date fund issuers is the glide path. If you are decades fromretirement, the fund will contain more growth-oriented investments. As you get closer to retirement, the fund will glide to a moreconservative mix of investments. Be sure to understand the glide path for any target-date fund you are consideringbefore deciding if it is right for your retirement situation. And also, watch the fees: Some target-date funds cost more than other good retirement options, such as index funds and ETFs.
Avoid 401(k) Loans
There may be conditions where a 401(k) loan makes sense. A 401(k) loan allows you to take money from your 401(k) loan but repay the funds over a series of up to five years. You do get charged interest which you pay into your 401(k), and you may have to repay the full balance of your loan if you leave your current employer (or face taxes and penalties on defaulted loans).
If your ultimate goal is to become a 401(k) millionaire, 401(k) loans will prohibit progress to that goal. Not only are you not allowed to make contributions to your 401(k) as you have your loan, your portfolio is missing the opportunity to appreciate due to funds having been withdrawn.
The Value of Financial Advice
As you get older, the assets you manage are likely to become more complicated and may include your IRAs, annuities, a spouse's retirement plan, a pension, taxable investments, and other assets. Hiring a financial advisor to help you look at your current 401(k) plan in the context of these other investments can help you get the most out of your 401(k).
Many plans offer participants access to investment advice, sometimes for a fee,via their plan provider or online services. The quality of this advice varies, so do your homework ahead of time. Ask if the advice takes into account anyoutside investments and your overall situation.
How Long Will Becoming a 401(k) Millionaire Take?
If you invested $23,000 into your 401(k) each year and earned a consistent 8% return each year, you'd achieve a plan balance of $1 million in slightly under 20 years. Note that this does not factor in a potential employer match.
What Is the Downside to Being a 401(k) Millionaire?
Traditional 401(k)s are subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) which may be troublesome for certain individuals. This means that some people must withdraw a certain amount of money from their retirement accounts when they achieve a certain age (72 or 73, based on the year they were born). These distributions from a traditional 401(k) are taxed. Beginning in 2024, Roth 401(k)s will not be subject to RMDs.
Is Being a 401(k) Millionaire Better Than a IRA Millionaire?
A 401(k) has the benefit of having a potential employer match. An IRA has the advantage of being self-controlled, so you can pick from a much wider range of investment options. One retirement vehicle isn't necessarily better than the other, and it'd be wise for some investors to consider having both types of accounts.
The Bottom Line
Taking action early and continuously during your working life is key to maximizing the value of your 401(k) account and becoming a 401(k) millionaire.Contribute consistently, invest according to your situation, don't ignore your old 401(k) accounts, and seek advice if needed.
