Skip to main content
Topic index
AAIAll About Investing
Menu
All articles

Topic

401k

100 articles

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 tax-deferred until you withdraw it in retirement. Understanding how your 401(k) works—including contribution limits, employer matching, investment options, and withdrawal rules—helps you make the most of this savings tool and avoid costly mistakes.

These articles explain the mechanics of 401(k) plans: how much you can contribute each year, what happens to your money when you change jobs, when you can withdraw without penalties, and how to decide between a traditional and Roth 401(k). You'll also learn about rollovers, loans against your balance, and strategies for maximizing employer match.

  1. 01How 401(k) Contributions Lower Your Taxable IncomeLearn about How 401(k) Contributions Lower Your Taxable Income
  2. 02How 401(k) Contributions Lower Your Taxable IncomeLearn about How 401(k) Contributions Lower Your Taxable Income
  3. 03How 401(k) Withdrawals Get TaxedLearn about How 401(k) Withdrawals Get Taxed
  4. 04How 401(k) Contributions Lower Your Taxable IncomeLearn about How 401(k) Contributions Lower Your Taxable Income
  5. 05How 401(k) Withdrawals Are TaxedLearn about How 401(k) Withdrawals Are Taxed
  6. 06How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It CostsLearn about How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs
  7. 07How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs YouLearn about How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs You
  8. 08How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It CostsLearn about How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs
  9. 09When and How You Can Take Money Out of Your 401(k)Learn about When and How You Can Take Money Out of Your 401(k)
  10. 10Contributing to Both a 401(k) and an IRA in the Same YearLearn about Contributing to Both a 401(k) and an IRA in the Same Year
  11. 11Having Both a 401(k) and a Roth IRA at the Same TimeLearn about Having Both a 401(k) and a Roth IRA at the Same Time
  12. 12How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  13. 13Rolling Your 401(k) Into an IRA: What You Need to KnowLearn about Rolling Your 401(k) Into an IRA: What You Need to Know
  14. 14How to Roll Over Your 401(k) Into a Roth IRALearn about How to Roll Over Your 401(k) Into a Roth IRA
  15. 15How to Roll Over a 401(k) to a Roth IRALearn about How to Roll Over a 401(k) to a Roth IRA
  16. 16How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It CostsLearn about How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs
  17. 17How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  18. 18How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k)Learn about How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k)
  19. 19How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  20. 20How to Move Money From Your 401(k) to a Roth IRALearn about How to Move Money From Your 401(k) to a Roth IRA
  21. 21Moving Money From Your 401(k) to an IRA: What You Need to KnowLearn about Moving Money From Your 401(k) to an IRA: What You Need to Know
  22. 22Using Your 401(k) to Buy a House: What You Can Actually DoLearn about Using Your 401(k) to Buy a House: What You Can Actually Do
  23. 23When You Can Withdraw From Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about When You Can Withdraw From Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  24. 24When and How You Can Withdraw Money From Your 401(k)Learn about When and How You Can Withdraw Money From Your 401(k)
  25. 25How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k)Learn about How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k)
  26. 26How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs YouLearn about How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs You
  27. 27Contributing to Both a 401(k) and Roth IRA in the Same YearLearn about Contributing to Both a 401(k) and Roth IRA in the Same Year
  28. 28Contributing to Both a Roth IRA and 401(k) in the Same YearLearn about Contributing to Both a Roth IRA and 401(k) in the Same Year
  29. 29How to Convert Your 401(k) to a Roth IRALearn about How to Convert Your 401(k) to a Roth IRA
  30. 30Having Both a Roth IRA and a 401(k) at the Same TimeLearn about Having Both a Roth IRA and a 401(k) at the Same Time
  31. 31Moving Money From a 401(k) to a Roth IRA: What You Need to KnowLearn about Moving Money From a 401(k) to a Roth IRA: What You Need to Know
  32. 32How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  33. 33Rolling an IRA Into Your 401(k): When It Makes Sense and How It WorksLearn about Rolling an IRA Into Your 401(k): When It Makes Sense and How It Works
  34. 34Moving Money from an IRA to Your 401(k): What You Need to KnowLearn about Moving Money from an IRA to Your 401(k): What You Need to Know
  35. 35How to Take Money From Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about How to Take Money From Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  36. 36How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  37. 37How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before RetirementLearn about How to Take Money Out of Your 401(k) Before Retirement
  38. 38How to Move Money From a 401(k) to a Roth IRALearn about How to Move Money From a 401(k) to a Roth IRA
  39. 39Using Your 401(k) to Buy a House: What You Can Actually DoLearn about Using Your 401(k) to Buy a House: What You Can Actually Do
  40. 40Using Your 401(k) to Buy a House: What You Can Actually DoLearn about Using Your 401(k) to Buy a House: What You Can Actually Do
  41. 41How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  42. 42Do Employers Match Contributions to Roth 401(k)s?Learn about Do Employers Match Contributions to Roth 401(k)s?
  43. 43Do Employers Match Roth 401(k) Contributions?Learn about Do Employers Match Roth 401(k) Contributions?
  44. 44How Taxes Work on Your 401(k) Contributions and WithdrawalsLearn about How Taxes Work on Your 401(k) Contributions and Withdrawals
  45. 45Does Your Employer's 401(k) Match Count Toward Your Contribution LimitLearn about Does Your Employer's 401(k) Match Count Toward Your Contribution Limit
  46. 46Does Your Company's 401(k) Match Count Toward Your Contribution LimitLearn about Does Your Company's 401(k) Match Count Toward Your Contribution Limit
  47. 47Does Your Employer Match Count Toward Your 401(k) Contribution LimitLearn about Does Your Employer Match Count Toward Your 401(k) Contribution Limit
  48. 48How a 401(k) Reduces Your Taxable IncomeLearn about How a 401(k) Reduces Your Taxable Income
  49. 49How 401(k) Distributions Are TaxedLearn about How 401(k) Distributions Are Taxed
  50. 50How 401(k) Withdrawals Get Taxed: Pre-Tax, Roth, and Early Withdrawal RulesLearn about How 401(k) Withdrawals Get Taxed: Pre-Tax, Roth, and Early Withdrawal Rules
  51. 51How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs YouLearn about How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs You
  52. 52How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  53. 53How to Check Your 401(k) Balance and Review Your AccountLearn about How to Check Your 401(k) Balance and Review Your Account
  54. 54How to Track Down a 401(k) You Lost Track OfLearn about How to Track Down a 401(k) You Lost Track Of
  55. 55How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  56. 56How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  57. 57How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k)Learn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k)
  58. 58How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k) and Pay It BackLearn about How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k) and Pay It Back
  59. 59How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and WithdrawalsLearn about How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and Withdrawals
  60. 60How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs YouLearn about How to Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs You
  61. 61How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  62. 62How to Track Down a 401(k) From a Previous JobLearn about How to Track Down a 401(k) From a Previous Job
  63. 63How to Locate a 401(k) From a Current or Former EmployerLearn about How to Locate a 401(k) From a Current or Former Employer
  64. 64How to Access Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Access Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  65. 65How to Set Up a 401(k) Through Your EmployerLearn about How to Set Up a 401(k) Through Your Employer
  66. 66How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  67. 67How to Withdraw Money from Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money from Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  68. 68How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After RetirementLearn about How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before and After Retirement
  69. 69How to Find an Old 401(k) You Left BehindLearn about How to Find an Old 401(k) You Left Behind
  70. 70How to Roll Over Your 401(k) to Another AccountLearn about How to Roll Over Your 401(k) to Another Account
  71. 71How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k) PlanLearn about How to Borrow Money From Your 401(k) Plan
  72. 72How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and WithdrawalsLearn about How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and Withdrawals
  73. 73What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Stop WorkingLearn about What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Stop Working
  74. 74How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and WithdrawalsLearn about How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and Withdrawals
  75. 75How a 401(k) Works: From Paycheck Deduction to RetirementLearn about How a 401(k) Works: From Paycheck Deduction to Retirement
  76. 76How Your 401(k) Contributions and Withdrawals Are TaxedLearn about How Your 401(k) Contributions and Withdrawals Are Taxed
  77. 77How Long a 401(k) Withdrawal Actually TakesLearn about How Long a 401(k) Withdrawal Actually Takes
  78. 78How Long Your 401(k) Will Last in RetirementLearn about How Long Your 401(k) Will Last in Retirement
  79. 79How to Estimate How Long Your 401(k) Will Last in RetirementLearn about How to Estimate How Long Your 401(k) Will Last in Retirement
  80. 80How Much You Can Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It CostsLearn about How Much You Can Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs
  81. 81How Much You Can Put Into Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much You Can Put Into Your 401(k) Each Year
  82. 82How Much You Can Contribute to Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much You Can Contribute to Your 401(k) Each Year
  83. 83How Much You Can Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It CostsLearn about How Much You Can Borrow From Your 401(k) and What It Costs
  84. 84How Much You Can Put Into Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much You Can Put Into Your 401(k) Each Year
  85. 85How Much You Can Put Into Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much You Can Put Into Your 401(k) Each Year
  86. 86How Much You Can Contribute to Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much You Can Contribute to Your 401(k) Each Year
  87. 87How Much You Actually Put Into Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much You Actually Put Into Your 401(k) Each Year
  88. 88How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k)Learn about How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k)
  89. 89How Taxes Work on 401(k) Withdrawals Before and After RetirementLearn about How Taxes Work on 401(k) Withdrawals Before and After Retirement
  90. 90How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k) Each Year
  91. 91How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k) Each Year
  92. 92How Much You Should Have Saved in Your 401(k) by Age 40Learn about How Much You Should Have Saved in Your 401(k) by Age 40
  93. 93How Much Should Be in Your 401(k) by Age 55Learn about How Much Should Be in Your 401(k) by Age 55
  94. 94How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k) Each Year
  95. 95How Much to Put Into Your 401(k) Each YearLearn about How Much to Put Into Your 401(k) Each Year
  96. 96How Much Tax You'll Pay When You Withdraw From a 401(k)Learn about How Much Tax You'll Pay When You Withdraw From a 401(k)
  97. 97How Much To Contribute To Your 401(k)Learn about How Much To Contribute To Your 401(k)
  98. 98How Much You Need to Contribute to Max Out Your 401(k)Learn about How Much You Need to Contribute to Max Out Your 401(k)
  99. 99How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k)Learn about How Much to Contribute to Your 401(k)
  100. 100How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and WithdrawalsLearn about How a 401(k) Works: Contributions, Growth, and Withdrawals