Choosing Between Traditional and Roth 401(k)s

The Roth 401(k) may appeal to workers willing to forego a tax break now in return for getting one at retirement. As its name implies, the Roth 401(k) combines features of a traditional 401(k) with those of a Roth IRA.

Like a traditional 401(k), workers enjoy the convenience of contributing through payroll deduction. But similar to a Roth IRA, contributions are made on an after-tax basis and withdrawals after age 59½ are tax free and penalty free for workers who have maintained their account for five years. There is also a Roth 403(b) plan for workers in the nonprofit sector.

How a Roth 401(k) Works

The Roth 401(k) follows many of the same rules as a traditional 401(k). For the 2017 tax year, federal laws permit a maximum annual contribution of $18,000, although your employer may impose a lower limit. Your employer may provide a matching contribution as part of a Roth 401(k), but any matching contributions are made in pretax dollars. If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute an additional $6,000 for a total of $24,000 in 2017.

You may continue to maintain a traditional 401(k) while directing all or a portion of new contributions to a Roth 401(k). Your contributions to a Roth 401(k), however, are irrevocable -- once made, they cannot be transferred to a traditional 401(k) account and funds in a traditional 401(k) cannot be switched to a Roth 401(k). Both Roth and traditional 401(k)s require distributions after age 70½, but only if you are no longer working. If you continue to work beyond age 70½, you will not be required to take distributions from either type of account. However, distributions must begin when you finally do leave the workforce.

Planning for Retirement

A Roth 401(k) may present a significant benefit when it's time for retirement -- the funds can be rolled over directly to a Roth IRA with no tax payment. Assets in a traditional 401(k) can also be converted to a Roth IRA, but the conversion requires you to pay taxes on the portion of the rollover that has not yet been taxed.

Roth vs. Traditional 401(k)s: A Quick Comparison

The table below presents a summary of the most important differences between Roth and traditional 401(k)s.

To Roth or Not to Roth?

If you're considering a Roth 401(k), you may want to review the following points before making your decision:

• Although future tax rates are difficult to predict, you may benefit from a Roth 401(k) or 403(b) if you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket during retirement.
• Even if your marginal tax rate remains relatively stable, you may face a higher tax bill in retirement if you will no longer claim deductions for dependents, mortgage interest, and other types of deductions frequently utilized by families. If this sounds like a likely scenario, a Roth 401(k) may be to your advantage.
• Will you need your retirement assets for living expenses during your later years? If not, a Roth 401(k) offers the opportunity to roll over funds directly to a Roth IRA, which does not require distributions after age 70½. This situation may enhance the potential tax-free growth of your assets and enable you to bequeath a potentially larger portion of your assets to your heirs.
• While individuals at any income level may contribute to a traditional IRA, the deductibility of contributions may be limited, depending upon whether they participate in a qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan. Roth IRAs are limited to single taxpayers with income under $133,000 and married couples with income under $196,000 in 2017. A Roth 401(k) may have some appeal if you desire tax-free withdrawals but your income exceeds the threshold for a Roth IRA.
• The longer you remain invested in a Roth 401(k), the more you are likely to benefit from tax-free growth. If you plan to retire in five years or less, a shorter-term time horizon may limit the benefit of tax-free withdrawals, whereas your account may get a bigger boost from tax-free savings if you plan to continue working for a longer period of time.

Capitalizing on every option available to you may make it easier to pursue your long-term savings goal. If tax-free withdrawals could potentially benefit you, and your employer makes a Roth 401(k) available, consider adding it to your retirement planning mix.