The Roth IRA and 401(k) are two of the most popular retirement accounts. Choosing which strategy is best for your circumstance can be a tough decision.
What are the differences between investing in a Roth IRA vs 401k?
The first significant difference between investing in a Roth IRA versus a 401(k) plan is how you go about making contributions. With a Roth IRA, the onus is on you to open the account (usually at a popular online brokerage company’s website) and then fund it.With a 401(k), contributions come directly from your paycheck through your employer’s payroll system.
When doing your research, it’s also important to consider how employer matching contributions work within a 401(k) plan. Many firms have a matching policy; for example, 50% of the first 6% of contributions.
Here is a situation where a Roth IRA beats out the Roth 401(k): early withdrawals. Usually, pulling money out of your retirement comes with a penalty. That is not always the case with a Roth IRA since you can withdraw contributions at any time.
Roth IRAs Offer Withdrawal Flexibility vs. A Roth 401(k)
A Roth IRA differs from a Roth 401(k) in that contributions made to a Roth IRA can be withdrawn tax-free and penalty-free at any time. Inside a Roth 401(k), the plan participant faces a 10% early withdrawal penalty on withdrawals made before age 59½.
A Roth IRA also has a lower annual contribution limit than a Roth 401(k). According to the IRS, the maximum IRA contribution for 2021 and 2022 is $6,000 ($7,000 for those age 50 or older).
You will not be able to contribute to a Roth IRA if your income exceeds certain thresholds. A Roth 401(k) does not have an income limit. For Roth IRAs, retirement savers should review rules determined by the IRS.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are something to be mindful of with 401(k) plans. Your RMD is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement account each year.