Toggle nav
Personal Small Business Corporate & Institutional About Us
SEARCH

« Back to more Point of View stories

Seven Things to Know Before Contributing to a 401(k) Plan

PNC’s Celandra Deane-Bess answers seven common questions about using a 401(k) plan to save for retirement.

Retirement is something most people dream of, but surprisingly few people take steps to reach. U.S. Census bureau researchers estimate that about 79 percent of Americans have access to a workplace 401(k) or equivalent plan, but only 32 percent of employed Americans are investing in them.[1] This is troubling at a time when individuals are increasingly responsible for funding their own retirement.

Whether you’re new to the workforce or have not yet contributed to a 401(k), Celandra Deane-Bess, senior vice president and market wealth director with PNC Wealth Management®, shares the basics you need to know about using a 401(k) to save for your retirement.

Q: What is a 401(k) plan?

Deane-Bess: A 401(k) plan is employer-sponsored retirement plan thatallows you to invest part of your paycheck before taxes. It’s an easy way to help you consistently set aside money for retirement. Your contributions typically go straight from your paycheck into your 401(k) account, so you won’t be tempted to spend the money. You don’t pay taxes (for now) on the money you put into your 401(k) account or the investment earnings on your contributions until you take it out, and because of that, you can only contribute a certain amount each year. For 2018, if you’re under age 50, you can contribute up to $18,500.

Some 401(k) plans also allow you to make Roth 401(k) contributions. Roth 401(k) contributions are subject to tax when you make them, but investment earnings accumulate tax-free and qualified distributions are not taxed.

A 401(k) plan is meant to be part of a long-term strategy to help you set aside money for your future self, so the best thing you can do today is start contributing as soon as possible. This helps you maximize compound interest, where the money you make on your investments is reinvested and can continue to grow.

Q: What is a 401(k) match?

Deane-Bess: Many employers will help you build your nest egg by matching a portion of your contributions to your 401(k) plan, usually up to a certain percentage. For example, if you invest 4 percent of your pay in your employer’s plan, they may contribute an additional 4 percent to your account under the plan.

One of the biggest mistakes young employees make is they don’t pay enough attention to 401(k) benefits available to them from their employer and end up leaving money on the table. The match is essentially free money, so find out about your employer’s match policy and take advantage of it if available.

Q: What is an asset allocation and how do I choose one?

Deane-Bess: When you set up your account, you’ll likely need to choose how you want your money invested – that’s your asset allocation. Do you prefer low risk and low reward investments? Or are you comfortable investments that carry higher risk and potentially higher returns?

One easy, low maintenance option is a target date fund. You select the fund with a target date closest to your desired retirement date, and the fund will adjust how your money is invested to become more conservative as you get closer to retirement age.

You also can work with a financial advisor to tailor your asset allocation specifically to your financial situation and future goals.

Q: What does it mean to be vested?

Deane-Bess: If you’re fully vested in your 401(k) plan, it means that employer contributions made to the plan on your behalf are yours to keep. Most plans vest after 3-5 years. If you leave your employer before you’re fully vested, you can only take your own 401(k) contributions andthe vested percentage of your employer contributions . If you leave after you’re vested, you are entitled to keep all the money in the account.  

Q: When can I access the money?

Deane-Bess: In most cases, when you’re 59 ½ years old. You may be able to withdraw the funds sooner under certain circumstances, but you likely will owe a 10-percent penalty plus regular income tax. In short: leave your money invested until you’re ready to retire to get the most out of your 401(k) plan.

couple talking to a financial advisor

Q: How often do I need to check on my 401(k)?

Deane-Bess: A good rule of thumb is to check your 401(k) performance and asset allocation on a yearly basis.

People make mistakes by changing their fund allocations too often. Keep your eyes on the long-term and don’t panic over market fluctuations.  

Increasing your contributions by a small percentage once or twice a year is a great way to boost your investments. Some plans even allow you to automate this increase each year, which can help you gradually adjust to contributing more of your salary to your retirement.

Q: What should I do if I get a new job?

Deane-Bess: Most people will work for multiple companies before retirement. A new job often means a decision about your 401(k). By law, you have at least 30 days to decide what to do with your 401(k) when you change jobs.

You probably opened your account to help prepare for retirement, so keeping your money invested each time you change employers can help you reach that goal. Don’t be tempted to cash out an old plan before retirement simply because you now have access to it.

That being said, when you change jobs, you typically have four options for retirement accounts from previous employers:

  1. Leave the money in your former employer’s plan.
  2. Roll the money into your new employer’s plan.
  3. Roll the money into an individual retirement account (IRA).
  4. Take a lump-sum distribution.

If you have multiple 401(k) plans, it is generally better to consolidate them into one plan if you can achieve the same or better plan conditions.

Celandra Deane Bess
Celandra Deane-Bess is a senior vice president and market wealth director with PNC Wealth Management®

One of the biggest mistakes young employees make is they don’t pay enough attention to 401(k) benefits available to them from their employer and end up leaving money on the table.

Celandra Deane-Bess

PNC Point of View
Real People. Real Perspective. Real Insights.
Read more POV Stories »

Related Resources

Important Legal Disclosures and Information

1 “Two-Thirds of American Aren’t Putting Money in their 401(k),” Bloomberg, 21 February 2017.

These articles are for general information purposes only and are not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. PNC urges its customers to do independent research and to consult with financial and legal professionals before making any financial decisions.

This site may provide reference to Internet sites as a convenience to our readers. While PNC endeavors to provide resources that are reputable and safe, we cannot be held responsible for the information, products or services obtained on such sites and will not be liable for any damages arising from your access to such sites. The content, accuracy, opinions expressed and links provided by these resources are not investigated, verified, monitored or endorsed by PNC.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) uses the marketing name PNC Wealth Management® to provide investment and wealth management, fiduciary services, FDIC-insured banking products and services, and lending of funds and the marketing name PNC Center for Financial InsightSM to provide wealth planning education to individual clients through its subsidiary, PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), which is a Member FDIC, and to provide specific fiduciary and agency services through its subsidiary, PNC Delaware Trust Company or PNC Ohio Trust Company. Securities products, brokerage services, and managed account advisory services are offered by PNC Investments LLC, a registered broker-dealer and a registered investment adviser and member of FINRA and SIPC. PNC does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice unless, with respect to tax advice, PNC Bank has entered into a written tax services agreement. PNC does not provide services in any jurisdiction in which it is not authorized to conduct business. PNC Bank is not registered as a municipal advisor under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”). Investment management and related products and services provided to a “municipal entity” or “obligated person” regarding “proceeds of municipal securities” (as such terms are defined in the Act) will be provided by PNC Capital Advisors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank and SEC registered investment adviser.

“PNC Wealth Management” is a registered service mark and “PNC Center for Financial Insight” is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.