As employers continue looking for ways to help employees retire securely, the Roth account has become a regular plan feature. In the five years starting in 2014, in fact, inclusion of a Roth account feature had increased 18.1%, so that by 2018, 72.7% of 401(k) and 403(b) plans included one. In the largest plans, those with more than $200 million in assets, nearly 8 in 10 plans now include a Roth feature.4
A key reason for the Roth’s popularity is diversity—but not the kind typically discussed in retirement plan circles. Instead of investment diversity, the primary reason to include a Roth is tax diversity.
Lower taxes today…or tomorrow? Find a balance
Taxes are one of the key reasons to encourage employees to contribute to their 401(k) plan. After all, current-year income may be reduced by the amount an employee contributes to the plan. However, as the discussion around income strategies at retirement heats up, awareness is increasing about the role of income taxes during the decumulation, or withdrawal, phase. Retirees whose savings are entirely tax sheltered may be hit with tax bills that are larger than they expect — at a time when every penny counts.
Investing part of one’s retirement savings in a Roth account is one way to provide balance. True, Roth contributions are made with after-tax money. Any investment earnings in the Roth account accumulate tax-free just as they do in a traditional 401(k) or 403(b) account. Unlike the traditional accounts, though, withdrawals from the Roth account are tax-free at retirement.
Tracking the details
There are several questions employers that want to add a Roth feature to their existing 401(k) plan should ask themselves or their providers:
- Does our plan document allow for a Roth option, or will it need to be updated to include this feature?
- Is our payroll provider capable of processing both pre- and post-tax contributions?
- Can our record keeper track both types of contributions?
If your plan includes auto-enrollment, new participants are typically enrolled in the traditional account. If you want to enroll them in the Roth account, you should require them to affirmatively sign up to do so. Employees who contribute to both the pre-tax and post-tax accounts in the plan need to know that the maximum deferral amount considers both.
As is the case with any qualified plan, there are a lot of details to address when making a change of this kind. It’s always wise to speak with your plan’s counsel. In the meantime, you can read more about Roth accounts in 401(k) plans at the IRS website, https://tinyurl.com/IRS-Roth.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax advice. Employees should be encouraged to consult a qualified tax professional before making investment decisions.
4 PlanSponsor 2018 DC Survey: Plan Benchmarking, https://tinyurl.com/PlanSponsor-2018-DC-benchmark
For plan sponsor use only, not for use with participants or the general public. This information is not intended as authoritative guidance or tax or legal advice. You should consult with your attorney or tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation. Kmotion, Inc., 412 Beavercreek Road, Suite 611, Oregon City, OR 97045; www.kmotion.com
© 2019 Kmotion, Inc. This newsletter is a publication of Kmotion, Inc., whose role is solely that of publisher. The articles and opinions in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to provide tax or legal advice or recommendations for any particular situation or type of retirement plan. Nothing in this publication should be construed as legal or tax guidance; nor as the sole authority on any regulation, law or ruling as it applies to a specific plan or situation. Plan sponsors should consult the plan’s legal counsel or tax advisor for advice regarding plan-specific issues.