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Old 08-16-2007, 08:08 PM
prohornblower prohornblower is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: learning the hockey-stop.
Posts: 8,016
Default Re: 401k contributions: pre/post tax and roth.

If you are going to have a lot of disposable income (and it sounds like you will), definitely make sure you get the full 4K in your Roth.

6% for sure goes to 401(k), then fill the Roth, then come back to 401(k) if you like, or buy independent mutual funds. I believe the Roth gives one the ability to retire slightly before 59.5 (because you can pull your Contributions out at any time for any reason tax and penalty-free). So at age 55, you'd have ((55-22)*4K) = $132,000 to start drawing from to bridge the gap to age 59.5. That is, if you don't have independent mutual funds to go with it. Also, the 4K yearly limit will rise so it should be more than 132K to draw from.

All-in-all, a 6% match on top of 2% guaranteed is an exceptional 401(k) plan. Make good use of it.
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