A 401k is one of the most popular and powerful retirement savings vehicles available in the United States. It offers many advantages, such as tax benefits, employer contributions, and portability when you change jobs. Let’s look at how a 401k works and why you should consider contributing to one.
How Does a 401k Work?
A 401k is an employer-sponsored retirement plan that allows employees to save money for their future while deferring taxes on those funds until they are withdrawn in retirement. It also allows employers to match employee contributions up to a certain percentage of the employee’s salary. Employee contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, reducing taxable income, and providing significant tax savings today.
Tax Benefits of Contributing to a 401k
One of the benefits of contributing to a 401k is that it reduces your current taxable income, allowing you to keep more money in your pocket now and pay less in taxes later. When you withdraw from your 401k in retirement, the money you contribute will be taxed as ordinary income at that time—often at lower tax rates than when it was contributed. Additionally, if your employer contributes matching funds or other additional funds toward your account, those are not taxable until withdrawal in retirement either.
Portability of Your Contributions
Another advantage of contributing to a 401K is that when you leave an employer, you can roll over the balance of your account into another qualified retirement account like an IRA or even another employer’s plan if allowed by their plan rules. This makes it easy for employees who have held multiple jobs throughout their working career to manage all their accounts under one roof without worrying about consolidating them every time they switch employers.
When someone passes away, their 401k will be passed on to the beneficiary listed on the account. This is typically done through a process called “beneficiary designation” when the owner of the account names one or more people (or organizations) who will receive the funds upon their death. If there is no beneficiary listed, then the funds will go into probate court, where they will be distributed according to state law. In most cases, beneficiaries are able to keep the money in the existing account and continue managing it as they wish or roll it into an IRA. If this isn’t done within 60 days of receiving notification of inheritance, then taxes must be paid on any income earned from investments held within the account before distribution can occur.
Knowing what happens with your 401k after your death can help ensure that your family members are taken care of after you’re gone. While it may not be a pleasant thought, taking some time now and understanding how your 401k works—especially what happens when you die—can help make things much easier for those left behind when that time comes. Understanding how your 401k works can also help maximize its potential for growth so that everyone involved can benefit from it during life and after death!
Distribution Options for Beneficiaries of a Deceased 401K Holder
When someone passes away and leaves behind a 401k, their beneficiaries can choose to receive the funds in either one lump sum or multiple payments distributed over time. The type of distribution chosen will impact the amount of taxes owed on the money received.
If a lump sum is chosen, it’s important to remember that taxes must be paid on any money withdrawn from the 401k. Depending on factors such as age, tax bracket and other income sources, these taxes can range from 10-37%. Source This money should be set aside in order to avoid any IRS penalties related to failure to pay due taxes. It’s also important to note that if this option is chosen, all of the funds must be removed from the retirement account within 60 days of receipt; otherwise, additional penalties may apply from the IRS.
For those who don’t need access to all of their funds immediately and want to spread out their distributions over time, there are two options available: an annuity or an inherited IRA. An annuity distributes money according to a specific schedule determined by the beneficiary, while an inherited IRA allows beneficiaries to decide when they would like payments made (i.e., monthly, quarterly). Both may offer more flexibility than a lump sum distribution and can help with long term budgeting needs. However, annuities come with high fees which may affect its overall value while inherited IRAs require that required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin once the original holder reaches 73 years old (or before).
It is important that beneficiaries of a deceased 401k holder take into consideration their individual financial situation when deciding which distribution option best suits them; whether it be one lump sum payment or multiple payments spread out over time through an annuity or inherited IRA. Doing research on each option’s advantages and disadvantages will help ensure that beneficiaries make informed decisions about how best to utilize their inheritance in order meet both short-term and long-term financial goals. Knowing about these options will better equip beneficiaries moving forward as they work towards making wise decisions with their inheritance funds as well as planning for their own retirement savings plans in the future.
A 401K is an incredibly powerful tool for saving for retirement; not only do you get immediate tax savings on your contributions, but you can also benefit from potential employer matching funds and long-term tax savings on withdrawals in retirement. If you want to start saving for retirement but aren’t sure what type of account would be best for you, you may consider opening up a 401K .
When it comes to your 401k, you have a lot of decisions to make. One of the most important choices is who you will designate as your beneficiary. The beneficiary of your 401k plan is the person who will receive the funds in your account once you pass away. So, it’s important to give this decision a lot of thought and ensure that you pick someone you trust. Here are some things to consider when choosing a beneficiary for your 401k.
Age of Beneficiary
One thing to think about when selecting a beneficiary for your 401k is their age. If you choose someone who is under 18 or over 70, they may need someone else to manage their finances on their behalf. For example, if the beneficiary of your 401k is underage, they will need a custodian appointed by the court in order to access any money from the plan until they reach adulthood or graduate high school (whichever comes first). On the other hand, if they are over 70 and still working, they may not be able to withdraw funds without incurring additional taxes or penalties.
Tax Implications
It’s also important to consider any potential tax implications related to making someone else your 401k beneficiary. Depending on who you select and how much money is in your account at the time of death, there could be significant taxes due when those funds are distributed. Knowing this information ahead of time can help you prepare financially so that there won’t be any surprises down the road.
Who You Can Choose As Beneficiary
Lastly, it’s important to know who can legally be named as a beneficiary of your 401k plan. Generally speaking, only people or organizations can be selected as beneficiaries—not pets or businesses—and those people must meet certain criteria established by law. It’s also worth noting that many employers don’t allow non-spouse beneficiaries; so make sure you check with them before making any final decisions about who will receive these funds should something happen to you.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions expressed herein have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed for accuracy or completeness; are for information/educational purposes only; do not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security; are not unbiased/impartial; subject to change; may be from third parties. Opinions expressed are those of the Author and do not necessarily reflect those of B. Riley Wealth Management or its affiliates. Investment factors are not fully addressed herein. For important disclosure information, please visit www.brileywealth.com/legal-disclosures.
Tax Disclaimer: Briley Wealth Management and its affiliates are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any statements contained herein should not be construed.
David Kassir
Managing Director | Manna Wealth Management Miami Beach, Florida
Manna Wealth Management is revolutionizing the financial advisory industry by providing specialized advice to help individuals and families make smart investments for their future. For over 27 years, we’ve been helping our clients create meaningful wealth through a thoughtful and custom-tailored approach. Our mission is to unlock the potential of each individual client by offering a comprehensive range of services designed to meet their specific needs. With David Kassir as the driving force behind Manna Wealth Management, we strive to build lasting relationships with our clients.
