IRA vs. 401(k) Rates

Contribution Limits and Tax Benefits

Contribution limits for IRAs and 401(k)s are key when deciding how to allocate funds for retirement. For a 401(k), the contribution limit in 2024 is $23,000. If you're 50 or older, you get an extra $7,500 in catch-up contributions, making your total $30,500.

IRAs have different limits. For 2024, you're looking at a $7,000 cap for your contributions. Those 50 or older can add an additional $1,000, pushing the total to $8,000.

For traditional 401(k)s, contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, reducing your taxable income. You defer taxes until you start withdrawing in retirement, at which point you pay at your regular income tax rate.

Traditional IRAs follow a similar pattern—your contributions might be tax-deductible, reducing your taxable income for the year. Tax deduction eligibility can decrease if either you or your spouse has a retirement plan at work. Earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.

Roth accounts require after-tax contributions, meaning no tax deduction now. The trade-off is tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement, once you hit 59½ and have had the account for at least five years.

Account Type	Annual Contribution Limit	Catch-Up Contribution	Total Contribution Limit (50+)
Traditional/Roth IRA	$7,000	$1,000	$8,000
401(k)	$23,000	$7,500	$30,500

Account Type	Tax Benefit at Contribution	Tax Benefit at Withdrawal
Traditional 401(k)	Pre-tax contributions, reducing taxable income	Taxed as ordinary income at withdrawal
Traditional IRA	Contributions might be tax-deductible	Taxed as ordinary income at withdrawal
Roth 401(k)	After-tax contributions, no initial tax break	Tax-free withdrawals at retirement
Roth IRA	After-tax contributions, no initial tax break	Tax-free withdrawals at retirement

Understanding these details can guide you towards a more solid financial future.

Investment Options and Flexibility

IRAs typically offer a wide array of investment options, including individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and sometimes niche assets like real estate and commodities. This flexibility allows for customized investments matching your risk tolerance and growth objectives.

401(k) plans tend to offer a narrower selection, usually limited to a pre-selected list of mutual funds or target-date funds chosen by the employer or plan administrator. This can limit diversification or the ability to take advantage of specific market opportunities.

With IRAs, you choose your custodian, giving you the power to select competitive fees and a preferred selection of assets. Some IRAs offer automated investment options or robo-advisors for simplified investing with optimal diversification.

401(k)s are constrained by the employer's chosen plan provider, limiting you to their financial institution's fees and fund options. However, this often results in lower fund expense ratios due to institutional pricing. Some 401(k) plans are introducing brokerage windows, allowing investments in individual stocks and funds outside the core lineup, though not all plans offer this feature.

401(k) plans may offer employer matching contributions, which follow the investment rules set by the plan.

Fees are important to consider for both account types. IRAs may have account maintenance fees, fund expense ratios, trading costs, and advisory fees. 401(k) plans might offer lower fund expense ratios but can have higher administrative fees.

Feature	401(k)	IRA
Investment Options	Limited to pre-selected mutual funds and possibly target-date funds	Extensive range including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate
Control Over Choices	Employer-determined, some plans may offer brokerage windows	Full control to select a custodian and investment options
Role of Providers	Provider chosen by employer, affecting fees and flexibility	Individual selects provider, enabling comparison-shopping for fees and choices

Balancing these options can help create a robust, diversified retirement portfolio that fits your unique needs.

Fees and Administrative Costs

Understanding fees and administrative costs associated with IRAs and 401(k)s is crucial as they can significantly impact your savings over time.

401(k) fees generally include:

• Investment expense ratios (typically 0.05% to 1.00%)
• Plan administration fees (around 0.10% to 0.50% of total plan assets annually)
• Occasional service charges for special features

401(k) expense ratios often benefit from institutional pricing, making them lower compared to individual investor options. Administrative costs may be deducted from each participant's account or absorbed through the fund's expense ratios.

IRA fees typically include:

• Expense ratios for investments (0.10% to 2.00%)
• Account maintenance fees ($25 to $50 annually)
• Trading costs ($0 to $6.95 per trade)
• Advisory fees (0.25% to 0.50% for robo-advisors, 1%+ for human advisors)

IRAs offer more control over fees but come with their own set of costs. Expense ratios vary depending on your chosen asset mix.

Type of Fee	401(k)	IRA
Expense Ratios	Typically 0.05% to 1.00% due to institutional pricing	Generally 0.10% to 2.00%, broader range based on asset choice
Administrative Fees	0.10% to 0.50% of total plan assets per year	$25 to $50 annually, varies by custodian
Trading Costs	Usually no direct trading fees, absorbed in fund's expense ratio	$0 to $6.95 per trade, depending on brokerage
Advisory Fees	N/A directly, depends on plan structure or if plan hired advisors	0.25% to 0.50% for robo-advisors, 1%+ for human advisors

Being strategic and well-informed about fees and administrative costs can help maximize the value of your investments.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and Withdrawal Rules

Understanding RMDs and withdrawal penalties is crucial for effective retirement planning.

401(k) RMD rules:

• RMD age raised to 73 in 2023, increasing to 75 in 2033
• RMDs calculated based on life expectancy and account balance
• Taxed as ordinary income
• 50% penalty on missed RMDs

Roth 401(k)s:

• Subject to RMDs at age 73, but distributions are tax-free
• Can be rolled over to a Roth IRA to avoid RMDs

Traditional IRAs:

• Same RMD rules as 401(k)s
• Distributions taxed as ordinary income

Roth IRAs:

• No RMDs during the original owner's lifetime
• Beneficial for estate planning

Early withdrawal rules:

• 10% penalty on withdrawals before age 59½ for 401(k)s and traditional IRAs
• Exceptions include first-time homebuyer expenses (IRAs), qualified education expenses (IRAs), substantial medical bills, and disability-related costs
• 401(k)s allow penalty-free withdrawals if you retire after age 55 (50 for public safety employees)
• Roth IRA contributions can be withdrawn anytime without penalty, but earnings are subject to taxes and penalties if withdrawn before age 59½ and before the account has been open for five years

Account Type	RMD Age	RMD Tax Implications	Early Withdrawal Penalties	Exceptions to Early Withdrawal Penalties
Traditional 401(k)	73 (75 starting 2033)	Taxed as ordinary income	10% penalty before age 59½	Medical expenses, first home, education, SEPP
Roth 401(k)	73 (75 starting 2033)	Tax-Free (already taxed contributions)	10% penalty before age 59½	Medical expenses, first home, education, SEPP
Traditional IRA	73 (75 starting 2033)	Taxed as ordinary income	10% penalty before age 59½	Medical expenses, first home, education
Roth IRA	No RMD Years	Tax-Free	10% penalty on earnings before 59½+5ys	Contributions are always penalty-free

Managing RMDs and early withdrawal rules requires careful consideration of timing, tax strategy, and available exemptions to optimize retirement savings.

1. Internal Revenue Service. Retirement Topics – IRA Contribution Limits. IRS.gov.
2. U.S. Department of Labor. What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan. DOL.gov.
3. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. 401(k) Basics. FINRA.org.
4. Morningstar. Fund Fee Study. Morningstar.com.
5. SECURE Act 2.0. H.R.2617 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Congress.gov.