The Savings Game: Options available when you want to make withdrawals from your 401(k)
Many more individuals are now participating in 401(k) retirement plans than ever before.
New regulations have made it easier for companies to offer 401(k) plans. The current regulations allow companies to automatically establish 401(k) plans for their employees. When employers offer company matches as a percentage of the amount of employee contributions, it makes the 401(k) plan an attractive option for employees.
With a 401(k) plan, many employees would not have the advantage of being able to make tax-free contributions, receive an employer match, and be able to invest in a wide variety of equity and bond options, with dividends, interest and capital growth on a tax-deferred basis. With an employer match, the 401(k) option becomes very attractive.
As I pointed out recently, Congress has established regulations associated with various retirement plan options to allow employees the option of making some withdrawals from their plans penalty-free and still be able to maintain the retirement account, make additional contributions and receive tax-deferred benefits with the assets remaining in the account.