
Saving Beyond a 401(K)
Saving Beyond a 401(K)
Whether you don’t have access to a workplace retirement plan, or you just don’t know how to begin saving beyond your employer-provided 401(K), the hard truth is that nearly half of Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement. The goal when saving for retirement is to minimize tax liabilities and maximize earning potential. Below are a few ideas to get your retirement savings on the right path.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you might be eligible to fund a health savings account (HSA), which provides tax-free withdrawals for qualified health care expenses. Unlike a health care flexible spending account, funds that aren’t used can stay in the account. When you retire, you can use the account to pay Medicare premiums as well as out-of-pocket health care expenses tax-free. Once you turn 65, you can use the account for any expense with no penalty, though it will be taxable if not used for qualifying medical expenses.
Roth IRA
If you’re only making pre-tax 401(K) contributions, a Roth IRA account could be a great option to save tax-free money for retirement. Contributions are after-tax, but the earnings are tax-free once the account has been open for five years and you’ve reached age 59 ½. If you’re under age 50, the maximum you can contribute to a Roth IRA is $5,500. Beyond age 50 you can save up to $6,500 annually. A Roth IRA can also serve as an emergency fund since contributions (but not earnings) can be withdrawn anytime without tax or penalty.
Traditional IRA
For those whose income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA, contributions to a traditional IRA are tax deductible. Withdrawals, however, are taxed like a traditional 401(K) account but offer greater flexibility in investing and withdrawing money.
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
State or local government employees may be eligible to contribute to a 457 plan in addition to a 401(K) plan. Employees determine the amount of contributions, which will be pre-tax, with their employer. Earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis, and contributions are not taxed until the assets are distributed from the plan.
Savings Account or CD
While interest rates are typically low, liquid cash in a savings account or certificate of deposit allows you to withdraw funds in an emergency without penalties or significant tax consequences.
Regular Taxable Accounts
Taxable accounts such as joint investment accounts, bank accounts, and money market mutual funds offer full flexibility in investing and accessing your money. These can be a good way to go if you’re saving for both retirement and college because you can withdraw without income taxes and early-withdraw penalties. To help minimize taxes, select tax-efficient investments such as tax-free municipal bonds, stock index funds, and other investments that qualify for long-term capital-gains rates.
Are you a Freelancer?
If you work for yourself and don’t have any employees, a Solo 401(K) is a good option to stash away some extra savings for retirement. Contributions are tax deductible and you can currently put in up to $18,500 annually, plus an additional 25% of your income. Total annual contributions cannot exceed $55,000 unless you’re older than 50.
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