COMMANDER: We’re fighting for freedom. And part of that freedom… is the freedom to retire with dignity. So we’re going to start accounts called 401(k)s.
SOLDIER 1: What’s a 401(k)?
COMMANDER: It’s a retirement account. You put money in, it grows tax-free, you take it out when you’re old.
SOLDIER 2: So I don’t pay taxes on it?
COMMANDER: Well, you pay taxes later. When you withdraw.
SOLDIER 2: So it’s not tax-free.
COMMANDER: It’s…tax-deferred.
SOLDIER 2: What’s the difference?
COMMANDER: You pay taxes later instead of now.
SOLDIER 1: What if I want to pay taxes now?
COMMANDER: Then you do a Roth 401(k).
SOLDIER 3: What’s a Roth?
COMMANDER: You pay taxes now, and it grows tax-free.
SOLDIER 2: That’s what I thought the first one was.
COMMANDER: No, the first one you pay taxes later.
SOLDIER 1: Which one’s better?
COMMANDER: Depends on your tax bracket in retirement.
SOLDIER 1: …How would I…know that?
COMMANDER: You don’t. You just guess.
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SOLDIER 4: What if I don’t have a 401(k) through my employer?
COMMANDER: Then you open an IRA.
SOLDIER 4: What’s the difference?
COMMANDER: One’s through your job, one’s on your own.
SOLDIER 4: Can I have both?
COMMANDER: Yes.
SOLDIER 4: Should I?
COMMANDER: Maybe.
SOLDIER 3: Can I do a Roth IRA?
COMMANDER: Only if you make under a certain amount.
SOLDIER 3: What’s the limit?
COMMANDER: Changes every year.
SOLDIER 2: What if I make too much?
COMMANDER: Then you do a backdoor Roth by putting it in a Traditonal first.
SOLDIER 2: …Is that legal?
COMMANDER: Surprisingly, yes.
SOLDIER 1: What’s a backdoor Roth?
COMMANDER: You contribute to a traditional IRA, then convert it to a Roth…but watch out for “pro rata”.
SOLDIER 1: Why wouldn’t I just contribute to the Roth directly?
COMMANDER: Because you make too much money.
SOLDIER 1: But this way I can?
COMMANDER: Yes.
SOLDIER 1: That feels like a loophole.
COMMANDER: It is. But the IRS is cool with it.
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SOLDIER 5: I just changed battalions. What do I do with my old 401(k)?
COMMANDER: You roll it over.
SOLDIER 5: Into what?
COMMANDER: An IRA. Or your new 401(k). Depends.
SOLDIER 5: On what?
COMMANDER: The funds. The fees. Whether your new plan accepts rollovers.
SOLDIER 5: What if I just take the money out?
COMMANDER: You’ll pay taxes plus a 10% penalty.
SOLDIER 5: What if I’m 59?
COMMANDER: Penalty.
SOLDIER 5: 59 and a half?
COMMANDER: No penalty.
SOLDIER 5: …The half matters?
COMMANDER: The half matters.
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SOLDIER 3: What’s a mega backdoor Roth?
COMMANDER: Okay. So. Your 401(k) has a limit of how much you can contribute.
SOLDIER 3: Right.
COMMANDER: But the total limit including employer contributions is higher.
SOLDIER 3: Okay…
COMMANDER: So if your plan allows ~after-tax~ contributions, you can put in more, then convert that to Roth.
SOLDIER 3: Does my plan allow that?
COMMANDER: I don’t know. You have to ask Betsy.
SOLDIER 3: Will Betsy know?
COMMANDER: Probably not.
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SOLDIER 2: Can I deduct my IRA contribution on my taxes?
COMMANDER: Are you covered by a retirement plan at work?
SOLDIER 2: Yes.
COMMANDER: Then only if you make under a certain amount per year.
SOLDIER 2: What’s the amount?
COMMANDER: Depends if you’re married.
SOLDIER 2: What if my wife has a plan but I don’t?
COMMANDER: Different limit.
SOLDIER 2: What if neither of us has a plan?
COMMANDER: Full deduction.
SOLDIER 2: So it’s better to not have a 401(k)?
COMMANDER: No…
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SOLDIER 1: Can I just keep my money in a sock?
COMMANDER: You could. But inflation will slowly destroy it.
SOLDIER 1: What’s inflation?
COMMANDER: (sighs)…