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Participating in your company 401(k) plan lowers your tax bill and makes monthly saving automatic. Meanwhile, your money grows tax-free. That’s a good thing.
- Tax benefits
- Automatic savings
- Employer matching contributions
Tax benefits One of the most powerful advantages of participating in a 401(k) is the money you save in taxes. Your 401(k) contributions are taken out of your paycheckbeforetaxes are deducted from your paycheck. That means your gross income is reduced, so you pay less in income taxes.
There’s more. As your 401(k) grows in value over time, you don’t pay taxes on those gains like you do with a bank account or individually owned stocks or mutual funds. You only pay taxes on your 401(k) when you begin to withdraw the money at age 59 1/2, when you may be in a lower tax bracket.
See AlsoWhat happens to your 401(k) when you leave a job? | FidelityHow the Superrich Use 401(k)sPension vs 401(k): what's the difference?Using a 401(k) vs. Stock PickingBecause you’re not paying taxes on any gains from the account, your 401(k) money can grow more quickly, year after year, than many other types of savings.
One of the most powerful advantages of participating in a 401(k) is the money you save in taxes. Your 401(k) contributions are taken out of your paycheckbeforetaxes are deducted from your paycheck. That means your gross income is reduced, so you pay less in income taxes.
There’s more. As your 401(k) grows in value over time, you don’t pay taxes on those gains like you do with a bank account or individually owned stocks or mutual funds. You only pay taxes on your 401(k) when you begin to withdraw the money at age 59 1/2, when you may be in a lower tax bracket.
Because you’re not paying taxes on any gains from the account, your 401(k) money can grow more quickly, year after year, than many other types of savings.
Automatic savings
Let’s face it, most people have a hard time setting aside money for savings each month. 401(k)’s take care of that with “forced” savings. The money is automatically moved from your paycheck to your 401(k) account before you can get your hands on it. With a 401(k), you are in effect paying yourself first – with money that otherwise would have been spent. Year over year and that can add up to big savings. Of course, the earlier you start, the bigger your 401(k) can grow. If you receive a pay raise at work, it’s a good idea to increase your 401(k) contribution so you continue to save at the same rate.
Employer matching contributions If your employer offers amatching contribution, that’s free money to you. The more your employer matches, the less you have to save on your own. Always take advantage of an employer match and contribute at least the amount they will match.
If your employer offers amatching contribution, that’s free money to you. The more your employer matches, the less you have to save on your own. Always take advantage of an employer match and contribute at least the amount they will match.
A new kind of retirement savings benefit.
Icon works like a 401k plan but without the cost, complexity, and administrative burden. We’ve unified workplace savings, personal retirement, and portfolio management into a single solution.
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Radically less expensive
Employers pay a small one-time set up fee, and no ongoing plan administration fees.
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We do all the work
It takes minutes to set up, no plan design required, no federal filing requirements.
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Investor focused
Our portfolios are built with low-cost funds from leading asset managers. Icon acts as a fiduciary to our clients.
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I need a retirement savings plan. My employer doesn’t offer one.
How to sign up. Two very important questions you need to answer.
What is a 401k plan?
