Is Maxing Out Your 401(k) Contribution Always the Best Move?

By John Benedict

As most people plan for retirement, maxing out your 401(k) contributions is frequently considered the ideal approach to a stable financial future. It offers tax advantages with the option to automate your savings, integrating smoothly into your financial plan. However, this strategy isn’t universally ideal for everyone.

Depending on your financial situation, alternative investment strategies may offer better returns or flexibility. Today we explore why a one-size-fits-all approach might not be the best fit and help you tailor a retirement plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

You May Have Other Financial Priorities

While saving for retirement is important, it’s not the only financial goal you may have. For example, you may be saving for a down payment on a home, paying off debt, or building up an emergency fund. If you funnel all your extra money into your 401(k), these other areas of your finances may end up neglected. Make sure you have a well-rounded financial plan that addresses all your priorities. To start, consider the following to help you assess other potential goals:

Pay down any high-interest credit card debt.
Build up an emergency fund with 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses.
Make sure you have adequate health insurance.
Review your estate plan: do you have a basic will or trust in place to safeguard your loved ones in your absence?
Consider disability insurance in case an accident or injury prevents you from working for an extended period of time.
If you are married or have dependent children, consider obtaining adequate life insurance.

You May Have Access to Better Investment Options Elsewhere

Most 401(k) plans offer a limited selection of investment options, which may not be the best fit for your strategy. Suppose you have other investment accounts, such as an IRA or taxable brokerage account. In that case, you may have access to a wider variety of investment options.

For example, let’s say your 401(k) plan only offers mutual funds but you’re interested in investing in individual stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In this case, an IRA or taxable brokerage account may be the better option. By diversifying your investments across multiple accounts, you can improve your returns and invest in the right mix of assets for your financial goals.

You May Want More Flexibility in Accessing Your Money

Contributions to a traditional 401(k) are tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as income. Withdrawals prior to age 59.5 are subject to tax and a 10% penalty if you don’t meet the strict criteria for a hardship withdrawal. If you’re planning to retire early or have other income streams in retirement, you may want more flexibility in accessing your money. Roth IRAs, for example, allow you to withdraw your contributions at any time without penalty, and qualified withdrawals of earnings are tax-free. Consider whether a Roth IRA or other investment vehicle might give you more flexibility both now and in retirement.

You May Pay Less in Fees With Other Investment Accounts

When considering whether to max out your 401(k) contributions, it’s also important to take into account the fees associated with these plans. Though 401(k) plans are convenient, they can also be expensive, with costs including administrative fees, investment fees, and expense ratios, among others. These fees can eat into your investment returns over time and can be especially costly if you’re not paying attention to them. Make sure you understand the fees associated with your 401(k) plan and consider whether there are lower-cost investment options available to you. It’s worth seeking the advice of a financial advisor to help you navigate these fees to help you get the most bang for your buck.

If You Do Max Out Your 401(k), Know Your Limits

If you choose to max out your 401(k), it’s important to know your contribution limits. For 2024, you can defer as much as $23,000 into your 401(k) (increased from $22,500 for 2023). An additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions is allowed for those over 50.

One of the best parts of a 401(k) plan is that many employers offer matching contributions. The most common matching formula is 50% of employee contributions up to 6% of salary. This means your employer will contribute a maximum of 3% of your salary if you contribute 6%. Since employer matches are essentially free money and not considered income in the year received, it’s generally advised to contribute at least enough to get the maximum matching contribution, even if you don’t max out the full contribution amount.

What’s the Best Choice for You?

Maxing out your 401(k) contributions can offer significant tax benefits, but it’s important to evaluate whether it’s the most efficient strategy for your overall financial plan. Depending on your unique circumstances, other investment opportunities may provide better growth or liquidity.

At J2 Capital Management, we help you make informed 401(k) planning decisions to build out a retirement strategy that is optimized for long-term growth. Ready to explore your options for your ideal future? Schedule a meeting online or reach out to us at info@j2cmonline.com or 248-641-4444.

About John Benedict

John Benedict is CEO, investment advisor representative, and portfolio manager at J2 Capital Management, a boutique financial advisory firm specializing in in-house custom financial planning, tax, estate, and investment management. With over 20 years of experience, John is passionate about helping clients navigate uncertain markets, reduce risk, and plan for a sound future. John combined his talents and passion in statistics and technical analysis to create J2’s tactical strategies, managing them since the beginning of the organization. He is known for being a visionary and continually looking for ways to improve J2’s services and strategies to better serve his clients. John graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in business administration and finance, and his thoughts on markets and technical analysis have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Investment News, and on Moneyshow.com. He was also a contributor to the book The StockTwits Edge: 40 Actionable Trade Set-Ups from Real Market Pros.

When he’s not working, you can find John boating or participating in water sports and spending time with his wife, Janine, and his three children, Jack, Alexis, and Saraphina. To learn more about John, connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also register for his latest webinar on What Makes J2 Capital Management Different From Other Financial Advisors.