Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - 401k plan available at work.. Should I take advantage of it, and other questions...

Cynthetiq · 04-13-2005, 09:15 AM

okay... here's quick and dirty info:

401(k) is for retirement, you cannot "get it back" without heavy penalties. Once you leave the company you may be asked to roll it over into an IRA. You are contributing PRETAX dollars instead of AFTER TAX dollars. So if you were to us an IRA instead of an 401(k) you'll be using AFTER TAX dollars, and then when you have to pay income tax when cash out the IRA you'll again pay tax one more time. Double taxing.

You don't mention anything about them doing any matching. If the are matching a percentage of your contribution then you should if you can take that money that is sitting on the table.

Normally you get 100% of the money once you are vested (5 years at most companies) and it goes in 20% increments for each year of service so if you quit at year 4, you get 80% of their match.

04-13-2005, 09:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	okay... here's quick and dirty info: 401(k) is for retirement, you cannot "get it back" without heavy penalties. Once you leave the company you may be asked to roll it over into an IRA. You are contributing PRETAX dollars instead of AFTER TAX dollars. So if you were to us an IRA instead of an 401(k) you'll be using AFTER TAX dollars, and then when you have to pay income tax when cash out the IRA you'll again pay tax one more time. Double taxing. You don't mention anything about them doing any matching. If the are matching a percentage of your contribution then you should if you can take that money that is sitting on the table. Normally you get 100% of the money once you are vested (5 years at most companies) and it goes in 20% increments for each year of service so if you quit at year 4, you get 80% of their match. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!