Q: I am retired from a major computer company and am still working their for an outsourcing company. I am maxed out in my 401K and am not sure if I’m contributing to a 401K if I can buy either a Roth IRA or a regular IRA.
A: If you’re contributing to a 401(k), you can’t also contribute to a conventional IRA unless you have a low income. You can, however, contribute to a Roth IRA if your income is $95,000 or less if you’re single or $160,000 or less if you’re married. This year, the amount you can contribute to a Roth IRA rose to $3,000, or $3,500 (per person) if you’re over 50. If you’re not contributing to the 401(k) because you’re not considered a full-time employee, you may be able to open up a Keogh plan. This would enable you to put away a significant chunk of your income.
Q: I enjoy listening to your advice on the Clark Howard show and have a quick question that is not Real Estate related but was wondering if you could answer. I currently max out my 401K ($11,000 for 2002) and would like to know if I can also max out a Roth IRA ($3000).
A: You can, if your income falls below $95,000 as a single person or $150,000 if you’re married. The ability to contribute to a Roth diminishes between $150,000 to $160,000 in income if you’re married.
Check out www.taxplanet.com for details.
Jan. 1, 2005
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I changed jobs this September. I maxed out on my 401K the first 8 months of this year, because that employer was doing a 100% match of my contributions. My new employer does a 4% match, should I continue to put money into my 401K at the next job so that even though I have to pay tax on the amount I put into the 401K excess of the $16,500 limit, atleast, I can take advantage of the 4% matching my new employer will make?