401k contribution year

401K Catch Up Contribution

If you're trying to uncover 401K Catch Up Contribution info, you've surely found the right spot! This webpage is full of advice and explanations on how 401k's work plus there are all kinds of tips, tricks and frequently asked questions you can go over and review. We hope you find this page to be helpful and informative for you! Choosing the right retirement program can be a bit overwhelming if you don't know what to look for, so we've set this page up with as much 401 k information as we could get for you and made sure it's informative and easy. Here you go...

What's a 401k plan? Here's A Quick Overview...

Employer-sponsored retirement plans are normally grouped into 2 major categories: Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC).
In a DB plan, the employer promises to pay a defined amount to retirees who meet certain eligibility criteria. In other words, the plan defines the benefit to be received. In its most typical form, a DB plan pays a lifetime monthly benefit to retirees who reach specific age and service requirements. Benefits are usually linked to the amount of service and based on final average salary. Employees can reasonably rely on a known and expected benefit level; although protection against post-separation inflation is usually limited and/or uncertain. The plan sponsor may also provide an alternative lump-sum "cash-out" of the benefit entitlement. Until relatively recent times, the DB was the dominant form of employer-sponsored retirement program.

In DC plans, the plan defines the contributions that an employer can make, not the benefit that will be received at retirement. The terminating employee receives the proceeds in a current or deferred lump sum or annuity. Since the benefit is not defined, the retirement outcomes are not known in advance.

401K Catch Up Contribution Tips:

401k plans offer many benefits including the following:

Any business, whether a C Corporation, S Corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, self-employed can establish Plan.
The company sets the eligibility requirements, within certain guidelines, at the time the plan is established.
Employer can restrict individuals with less than 1 year service, union members, non US citizens, part-time workers, etc.,from being eligible for the plan.
Contributions to plan can come from voluntary employee salary reduction, from employer, or both.
Each individual employee can defer in 2008 up to $15,500 or 100% of compensation, whichever is less.
Participants age 50 and over can make additional "catch-up" contributions of $5,000.
Employees are immediately 100% vested with their own salary reduction tax deferred contributions.
Employee withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to 10% penalty.
Employees who retire any time during the calendar year in which they turn 55, or later, are not subject to the 10% penalty.
Employers can establish a vesting schedule, within certain guidelines, for the contribution the company makes to the 401k.
Employers are not required nor obligated to make any contribution to the 401k, although employer may have some obligation to contribute if plan is deemed top heavy.
Turnkey and Internet based plans are available.
Excellent range of investment options available for the plan sponsor to offer within the plan.
The investment choices in most plans range from 8 to 20 options. The average plan has about 15.
401k plans may permit "self-directed investment accounts" and company stock purchase within the plan.
Employee contributions to the plan are not subject to federal income taxes until a distribution from the plan is made. Any investment gains and earnings also enjoy tax deferral until distribution.
This type of plan can permit loans and hardship withdrawals.
Participants can start, stop contribution during course of year, as determined by the company.
The employer can receive certain tax benefits for contributions.
Plans are subject to top heavy and discrimination testing.
Typically the amount the owners and highly compensated individuals can contribute to a 401k is a function of the contributions of the other employers.
401k plans can be subject to IRS 5500 filings.
Generally, the vendor selected by the plan sponsor does all accounting, participant reporting, testing, and files 5500 reports with the IRS.
401k plans have proven to be popular with employees for several reasons. The tax deferral is obviously high on this list of reasons. Others include the increased portability of this plan, employer matching contributions, and the increased control associated with self-direction of investments.

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Important 401(k) Rules:

401k Rules Regarding Contribution:

* In 2005, the cap for individual contribution was $14,000.This number increased to $15,000 in 2006, and after 2006, the cap adjusts annually in $500 increments.
* The maximum total amount contributed to your 401k plan is the lesser of 100% compensation or $42,000.
* If you’ll be age 50 or older by the end of the year, you may make an additional “catch-up”contribution each year. The maximum “catch-up”contribution was $4,000 in 2005 and $5,000 in 2006 and goes up each year.
* For highly compensated employees (those with income in excess of $95,000 in 2005), they may not be allowed to contribute at the maximum rate in the company.
* You can only contribute money to your 401k plan by automatic payroll deduction.
* You may not get your employer’s match if you leave your employer in less than three years. However, more and more companies have began offering immediate vesting to their employees

401k Rules Regarding Loans:
Not all 401k plans allow you to borrow from your 401k plan. And if it is allowed, the most you can borrow is the lesser of 50% of your vested balance or $50,000.

* You have to repay your loan in 5 years, unless the loan isused to purchase your primary residence.
* The interest you pay on your loan is subject to double taxation---you pay the interest with after-tax money and it is subjected to taxes when you eventually withdraw it.
* When you leave your company, you may have to pay back the outstanding balance in full. Otherwise, the outstanding amount will be subject to a possible 10% early withdrawal penalty.
* If you default on your loan, the outstanding balance is also subject to a possible 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Reasons why 401ks are a smart idea:

A company match can help your investments grow

Some companies offer a match as an incentive to join the company retirement plan. It means that the company will contribute a certain amount to your account for every dollar that you contribute, up to a certain limit. The match formula can vary. To receive the matching contribution, the plan may require that you work a specified number of years. It makes good sense to take advantage of a company match by setting aside the maximum amount required to qualify for a matching contribution. If your employer offers a matching contribution, your retirement savings have the potential to grow that much faster. In order to maximize an employer match, you might want to consider spreading your contributions throughout the year so you receive a match every month (subject to IRS limits).

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