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Is Your Retirement Savings Potential
Limited by a Poor Plan Design?
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You might be surprised at the difference a few thousand dollars can make in
your 401(k) account, when it has years to grow. Let's say you make the
maximum contribution of $17,500 and because you are over 50, you are also
eligible to make a catch-up contribution of $5,500. That brings your total
contribution for this year to $23,000. Compare that with a total contribution
this year of $16,000. After 15 years of growth, the difference between the
two contributions would add up to nearly $20,000 (assuming an average 7
percent annual return).
In a different scenario, let's say you are 40, therefore ineligible for the catch-
up contribution. In addition, because of discrimination testing constraints,
you are limited to $10,000 in tax-deferred savings this year (as opposed to
the usual $17,500 maximum). Under these circumstances you would end up
with $41,000 less at age 65 than you would if you made the maximum
contribution. Multiply these shortfalls by many years of diminished tax-
deferred savings, and you'll begin to see the numbers are significant.
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Of course, you can still make up the shortfall (or, for that matter, set aside as
much as you can afford) in a taxable account, but you'll pay more for the
privilege. The amount of the premium is your tax rate. So, for example, if you
are in the 28 percent tax bracket, setting aside $7,500 for retirement on an
after-tax basis would cost you $9,600. Add state income taxes, and the toll is
higher. (This analysis does not factor in any assumptions about the tax rates
you will face at retirement, however. If you think you might be paying higher
taxes then, accumulating some after-tax retirement savings isn't a bad idea.)