**Personal Finance 101** emphasizes that one of the main priorities for those saving for retirement should be contributing enough to their company’s 401(k) plan to qualify for any employer-matching contributions. For instance, if your employer matches 50% of your contributions up to 6% of your salary, you should aim to contribute at least 6% of your salary. This strategy ensures you maximize your retirement savings by taking advantage of “free money” from your employer.
Once this basic threshold is met, many will still face the decision of whether to contribute more. In 2024, the annual limit for 401(k) contributions increased to $23,000, up from $22,500. Employees aged 50 and above can make additional catch-up contributions of up to $7,500, totaling $30,500. Given these higher limits, some may wonder if they are saving too much. While over saving is typically not a concern, there are scenarios where it might be wise not to max out 401(k) contributions.
### Reasons to Consider Not Maxing Out
1. **High Costs and Poor Investment Options:** Some 401(k) plans come with high fees or low-quality investment options. Most participants pay less than 0.80% in combined costs, but smaller employers often offer higher-cost plans.
2. **Need for Short-Term Liquidity:** 401(k) contributions are generally inaccessible until age 59½ (or 55 if separated from service). Withdrawals made before this age are usually subject to a 10% penalty, plus taxes. If you need funds for significant life goals like buying a house or paying for a child's education, other investment options might be better.
3. **High-Interest Debt Payments:** It's typically more beneficial to pay off high-interest debt, such as credit card debt, which can have an APR above 20%, than to max out 401(k) contributions.
4. **Funding a Roth IRA or HSA:** If you haven’t yet contributed to a Roth IRA or Health Savings Account (HSA), these can offer significant tax advantages. Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth and withdrawals, and HSAs provide a triple tax benefit: contributions reduce taxable income, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
5. **Potential for Higher Tax Bracket in Retirement:** A large retirement portfolio could subject you to required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73, which might push you into a higher tax bracket. Future tax rates could also be higher, making it worth considering other investment options.
### Reasons to Consider Maxing Out
1. **Catching Up on Retirement Savings:** Many are not saving enough for retirement. The average 401(k) balance for individuals aged 55-64 is about $208,000, with a median balance of $72,000. If this describes you, taking advantage of catch-up contributions can help increase your retirement savings.
2. **Tax Strategy Implementation:** Roth conversions can minimize taxes on RMDs. You have the potential to make Roth conversions between retirement and the age when RMDs begin (73 or 75), which can lower your taxable income over time. Delaying Social Security benefits until age 70 can also aid this strategy.
3. **Expected Lower Tax Bracket in Retirement:** Most people will have less taxable income after retiring, and taxes are based on marginal rates. This can result in a lower overall tax burden on RMDs than you might expect. It also provides opportunities for strategic Roth conversions.
Saving for retirement is essential, but much like eating vegetables, most people are more likely to need more savings rather than less. Being mindful of your unique circumstances will help you decide whether maxing out your 401(k) contributions aligns with your financial goals.