401k cont vs Long term liquidity

Was wondering what sort of contributions, if any, 1st year analysts are typically making towards 401k/Roth. What contributions going forward?

How much do you value liquidity? At some point would like to be making investments on the side and would like to have access to be able to do this.

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The general advice is:

  1. Contribute enough to 401k to get company match (free money)
  2. Build up liquidity/emergency fund (generally 3 to 6 months expenses + any other short term needs)
  3. Max Roth IRA ($6k) if under income limit
  4. Max remainder of 401k
  5. Invest in taxable account

If you want to build up more accessible funds to invest in RE, then it may make sense to allocate some money to #5 before #3/#4 are fully maxed, but you're probably better with the tax advantaged accounts. Always do #1 & 2 first no matter what.

 

It you’re under 59 1/2 and it’s a Roth account, you’ll get hit with a 10% early distribution penalty by Uncle Sam, and if it’s not a Roth you’ll get hit with 10% penalty PLUS your tax rate. So no, don’t do that unless you’re 60+ and have the cushion. Consider paring down your current contributions and saving the down payment as quickly as you can.

 

No matter what your plans are, the math will almost always favor 401k because you are avoiding so much tax by contributing and you have the opportunity to take the money out in a lean year when you have very low rates. This is especially true in NYC.

Say you contribute now and your marginal tax rate is 40% after state and local. Then one day you want to start a business and support yourself with your savings while building that business. You can take some of the money out at a 10% or even 0% rate, pay the 10% penalty on top of it, and still come out much better off.

Or say you lose your job one year and your taxes are much lower that year. Again you are likely to come out ahead even after the penalty.

All of this assumes your employer isn't making any matching contributions. If they are, then its even more favorable to the 401k.

I would actually argue that you're not really taking your full salary if you're not taking the match.

 

FYI- distributions on your Roth IRA contributions (not IRA to Roth conversion) are fully liquid and non taxable (and no pre 59.5 10%penalties). So you could put funds there, grow tax deferred, and take out contributions whenever you want. Contributions come out first (FIFO).

However, you'll only enjoy this option until you're income exceeds eligibility (I forget what that is. Different for single filers vs married).

 

So if you walk through what you 're saying: you contribute to a roth IRA, tax free, make a gain of $10 in one year, pull that $10 out, and the only event that will occur is the $10 will be taxed at your personal tax rate?

This suggests you're avoiding capital gains tax, but still paying an income tax in one way or another. No penalty or incentive to hold money here until retirement.

Are you sure that is the full picture?

 

No. Your contributions are after tax. They are fully available at any time without any tax or penalty. Your gains (held for a minimum of 5 yrs and until 59.5 are tax free when distributed - which is why the Roth is so strong.) If you take your gains out prematurely, you will pay penalties.

So put in 100. It grows to 110. You can take out your contribution (100) whenever you want. The 10 is tax free if you hold it until 59.5 and for at least 5 yrs.

It's an after tax contribution that grows tax deferred and distributes tax free after 59.5.

 

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