Employer contributions to a 401(k) retirement savings plan are generally not taxed when they are made. This means that the full amount contributed by the employer reduces the taxable income of the employee. However, withdrawals from a 401(k) account are taxed as ordinary income. This includes both the money contributed by the employee and the … Read more
If you inherit a 401(k) account, the tax treatment depends on a few factors. If you are the surviving spouse, you can roll the account into your own IRA without paying taxes. Otherwise, you will have to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 72. These distributions are taxed as ordinary income. If you … Read more
When you take a loan from your 401(k) retirement account, it doesn’t directly affect your credit score. However, if you fail to repay the loan promptly, your 401(k) administrator may report the missed payments to credit bureaus. This can hurt your credit score, making it more challenging to obtain loans or other forms of credit … Read more
Taking a hardship withdrawal from your 401(k) allows you to access funds if you face a financial emergency. However, it’s not recommended unless absolutely necessary since you’ll pay taxes, plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you’re under 59.5 years old. To qualify, you must prove financial hardship, such as medical expenses, tuition costs, or … Read more
If you’re facing a financial emergency, you may be able to withdraw money from your 401(k) without paying the usual 10% penalty for early withdrawal. This is known as a hardship withdrawal. To qualify, you must have an immediate and heavy financial need that you can’t meet from other sources. Examples include medical expenses, funeral … Read more
Contributing more to a 401k retirement plan can help reduce your current income taxes. This is because 401k contributions are taken out of your paycheck before taxes are calculated. This means that you pay less income tax on your entire paycheck. The amount of tax savings you receive depends on your tax bracket and the … Read more
Consider your future tax situation and retirement goals when deciding whether to split contributions between Roth and traditional 401(k) accounts. A Roth account offers tax-free withdrawals in retirement, while a traditional account reduces your current taxable income. If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket during retirement, a Roth account may be more … Read more
Hardship withdrawal from a 401(k) allows you to take money out of your retirement account before you reach age 59½ without facing the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These include: * You must have an immediate and heavy financial need and … Read more
Divorce can be an emotionally and financially stressful time. One of the most important financial decisions you’ll need to make is how to divide your 401(k) account. There are two main ways to do this: a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) or a direct rollover. A QDRO is a court order that allows your spouse … Read more
If you want to move your funds from a 401(k) to an annuity, a process called a rollover, you can do so in many cases. This involves transferring your 401(k) assets to an individual retirement annuity (IRA). It’s important to note that there are specific conditions and tax implications associated with rolling over a 401(k) … Read more