Individuals often have a number of options when it comes to investing and saving for retirement. One of the only alternatives to 401k retirement plans which provides a guaranteed return on investment is that of a Certificate of Deposit, also known as a CD. While this is the case, a CD incurs interest over a specific period of time during which no withdrawals are allowed. Once a CD reaches maturity, most individuals cash out the money and put the funds into an existing retirement portfolio.
401k plans became the standard retirement account for a number of Americans in the 1980s. The account was named after the 401k IRS code. In most cases, these accounts are still the most simple and straight forward when it comes to setting up a plan. Whereas, if employed, an employer often works with the employee to set up contribution amounts which fit into the employee's budget.
The upside of this type of retirement account is that the account can most often run on autopilot. For, individuals often obtain these accounts through an employer whom not only oversees individual contributions but matches those contributions dollar for dollar. As such, most often contributions are automatically deducted from the employee's paycheck on a monthly basis.
Just as there are upsides to this type of retirement account, there are also downsides. One major downside is that individuals can not really set up and forget about a 401k. For, if the salary of an individual doubles, the increase puts the individual at a disadvantage.
A good alternative to a 401k retirement plan is that of an Individual Retirement Account, also known as an IRA. In addition, if an employer does not offer a 401k, then individuals can join small business owners and the self-employed in setting up this type of retirement account. In most cases, these accounts offer tax advantages during retirement which vary depending on whether the individual opts for a Roth or traditional IRA.
Some individuals choose to add either a Roth or traditional IRA to an existing portfolio which contains a 401k. While this is the case, depending on the type of contributions made to the portfolio, those contributions may or may not be tax deductible. However, when this is the case, the money in the account will continue to grow on a tax free basis until withdrawn at the specified age of retirement.
One other alternative is that of a basic investment account. In this case, an individual obtains a broker with a cashier's check in hand, opens an account and contributes as much as one can to the account. After which, any profit, whether from appreciation of interest or dividends will likely be considered capital gains and will be taxed accordingly on an annual basis. Still, the individual will pay a much lower tax rate than on ordinary income.
Something to remember when investing in these type of accounts is that there are often penalties for early withdrawals. In addition, if an individual does not leave money in the account over the long term, it can often be more beneficial to put funds in a standard savings account. Although, it should be noted that the interest on this type of account is far less than that which would be gained in an investment account, IRA or Roth IRA.
401k plans became the standard retirement account for a number of Americans in the 1980s. The account was named after the 401k IRS code. In most cases, these accounts are still the most simple and straight forward when it comes to setting up a plan. Whereas, if employed, an employer often works with the employee to set up contribution amounts which fit into the employee's budget.
The upside of this type of retirement account is that the account can most often run on autopilot. For, individuals often obtain these accounts through an employer whom not only oversees individual contributions but matches those contributions dollar for dollar. As such, most often contributions are automatically deducted from the employee's paycheck on a monthly basis.
Just as there are upsides to this type of retirement account, there are also downsides. One major downside is that individuals can not really set up and forget about a 401k. For, if the salary of an individual doubles, the increase puts the individual at a disadvantage.
A good alternative to a 401k retirement plan is that of an Individual Retirement Account, also known as an IRA. In addition, if an employer does not offer a 401k, then individuals can join small business owners and the self-employed in setting up this type of retirement account. In most cases, these accounts offer tax advantages during retirement which vary depending on whether the individual opts for a Roth or traditional IRA.
Some individuals choose to add either a Roth or traditional IRA to an existing portfolio which contains a 401k. While this is the case, depending on the type of contributions made to the portfolio, those contributions may or may not be tax deductible. However, when this is the case, the money in the account will continue to grow on a tax free basis until withdrawn at the specified age of retirement.
One other alternative is that of a basic investment account. In this case, an individual obtains a broker with a cashier's check in hand, opens an account and contributes as much as one can to the account. After which, any profit, whether from appreciation of interest or dividends will likely be considered capital gains and will be taxed accordingly on an annual basis. Still, the individual will pay a much lower tax rate than on ordinary income.
Something to remember when investing in these type of accounts is that there are often penalties for early withdrawals. In addition, if an individual does not leave money in the account over the long term, it can often be more beneficial to put funds in a standard savings account. Although, it should be noted that the interest on this type of account is far less than that which would be gained in an investment account, IRA or Roth IRA.
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