A 401(K) is one of many tax-friendly investing accounts. It is offered to US citizens and residents only.
Concept explained
A 401(k) is a retirement savings account that is sponsored by an employer. Employees can choose to have a portion of their paycheck deducted and deposited into their account. The money in the account can then be invested in a variety of ways, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
Advantages of a 401(K)
401(k) accounts offer several advantages. First, the money that is deposited into the account is not subject to federal income tax. This can result in significant tax savings, especially for those in high tax brackets. Second, it offers the opportunity to grow your savings at a faster rate than other types of accounts, such as savings accounts or money market accounts. This is because the money can be invested, and the earnings on those investments are not taxed until they are withdrawn from the account.
Drawbacks
There are some drawbacks to 401(k) accounts, however. First, if you withdraw money before you reach retirement age, you will likely have to pay a penalty. Second, the money in your 401(k) account is not accessible until you reach retirement age. This means that if you need to access the money for an emergency, you may not be able to do so.
For the rules around this type of account, please visit the official website of the IRS.