Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k) and your Paycheck

A 401(k) can be an effective retirement tool. As of January 2006, there is a new type of 401(k) contribution. Roth 401(k) contributions allow you to contribute to your 401(k) account on an after-tax basis and pay no taxes on qualifying distributions when the money is withdrawn. For some investors this could prove to be a better option than the Traditional 401(k) contributions, where deposits are made on a pre-tax basis, but are subject to taxes when the money is withdrawn. Use this calculator to help determine the option that could work for you and how it might affect your paycheck.

Definitions

Current age Your current age. Age of retirement Age you wish to retire. Current tax rate The current marginal income tax rate you expect to pay on your taxable income. Use the table below to assist you in determining your current federal tax rate. Filing Status and Income Tax Rates 2012 Caution: Do not use these tax rate schedules to figure 2011 taxes. Use only to figure 2012 estimates. Tax rate Married filing jointly or qualified widow(er) Single Head of household Married filing separately 10% $0 - 17,400 $0 - 8,700 $0 - $12,400 $0 - 8,700 15% $17,400 - 70,700 $8,700 - 35,350 $12,400 - 47,350 $8,700 - 35,350 25% $70,700 - 142,700 $35,350 - 85,650 $47,350 - 122,300 $35,350 - 71,350 28% $142,700 - 217,450 $85,650 - 178,650 $122,300 - 198,050 $71,350 - 108,725 33% $217,450 - 388,350 $178,650 - 388,350 $198,050 - 388,350 $108,725 - 194,175 35% over $388,350 over $388,350 over $388,350 over $194,175 Source: Revenue Procedure 2011-52 http://www.irs.gov Retirement tax rate The marginal federal income tax rate you expect to pay on your retirement account distributions. Keep in mind that the calculator does not factor in other taxes such as state taxes, which could affect the comparison. Hypothetical rate of return The hypothetical annual effective rate of return for your 401(k) account. This calculator assumes that your deposits are made at the beginning of each pay period. For annual pay frequencies, it assumes the contributions are made at the beginning of the year. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the type of investments you select. It is important to remember that future rates of return can't be predicted and that investments that have a higher return potential are subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. Current income This is your current annual income. Annual contribution The amount you expect to contribute to a 401(k) each year. This calculator assumes that new contributions to your account are made until you reach your retirement age. If you are currently age 29 and expect to retire at age 65, your first new contribution will happen at age 30 and continue until through age 65. The annual maximum for 2012 is $17,000 (the 402(g) limit). If you are age 50 or over, a "catch-up" provision allows you to contribute even more to your 401(k). Employees over 50 can deposit an additional $5,500 into their 401(k) account. It is also important to note that employer contributions do not affect an employee's maximum annual contribution limit. Both the annual maximum and "catch-up" provisions are indexed for inflation after 2006. Your plan may also impose limits on how much you can contribute. It is important to note that some employees are subject to another form of contribution limits. Employees classified as "Highly Compensated" may be subject to contribution limits based on their employer's overall 401(k) participation. You may need to contact your employer to see if these additional contribution limits apply to you. Current contribution type This is either Roth or Traditional. If you choose "Roth" we will increase the assumed contribution to your "Traditional" option to equal the same net take home pay. If you choose "Traditional" we will decrease the assumed contribution to your "Roth" option to equal the same net take home pay. Pay frequency How often you are paid. We use this entry to calculate the net impact on your paycheck. Qualified Distribution There are two requirements to take a qualified distribution from a Roth 401(k) account. At least 5 years must elapse from the initial contributions, and you must reach age 59 ½, disability or death. Hypothetical Value at Retirement Age after Taxes, Traditional 401(k) and After Tax Amount Invested For the Roth 401(k), this is the total value of the account. For the traditional 401(k), this is the sum of two parts: 1) The value of the account after you pay income taxes on all earnings and tax-deferred contributions and 2) The accumulated value of the income tax savings of any contributions that exceeded your 401(k) contribution limit, if any, if you invested them as after-tax contributions to a tax-deferred vehicle. For these earnings, distributions are taxed at the same tax rate you indicate in the Retirement tax rate.