A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan where you set aside money from your paycheck before taxes are taken out. The money grows over time, and your employer may add matching contributions. Understanding how a 401(k) works—including contribution limits, tax treatment, and withdrawal rules—helps you make decisions about how much to save and when you can access that money.
These articles explain the mechanics of 401(k) accounts: how contributions work, what happens to your money as it grows, how employer matching functions, what the annual contribution limits are, and what the rules are for taking money out before and after retirement. You'll also find information about how 401(k)s compare to other retirement savings options.
- What You Can Do With a 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about What You Can Do With a 401(k) Before and After Retirement
- How 401(k) Contributions Work and What You Can Put InLearn about How 401(k) Contributions Work and What You Can Put In
- How Your Job Affects Your 401(k) and Retirement SavingsLearn about How Your Job Affects Your 401(k) and Retirement Savings
- Common Questions About 401(k) PlansLearn about Common Questions About 401(k) Plans
- What an IRA Is and How It Works as a Retirement AccountLearn about What an IRA Is and How It Works as a Retirement Account
- How 401(k) Contribution Limits Work and Why They MatterLearn about How 401(k) Contribution Limits Work and Why They Matter
- How Employer 401(k) Matching Works and What It Means for Your RetirementLearn about How Employer 401(k) Matching Works and What It Means for Your Retirement
- How a 401(k) Plan Works and What It CoversLearn about How a 401(k) Plan Works and What It Covers
- How a Roth 401(k) Works and When It Makes Sense for Your RetirementLearn about How a Roth 401(k) Works and When It Makes Sense for Your Retirement
- How 401(k) Taxes Work: Contributions, Growth, and WithdrawalsLearn about How 401(k) Taxes Work: Contributions, Growth, and Withdrawals
- How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k)Learn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k)