Roth 401(k)

[newellcr]

Laurence,

I've been off line for a bit, but found this in the archive.* There are times in the ER planning stages that the numbers get a bit too chewy to say one investment vehicle is "best" or even "good".* You mention ER at 45 and 72(t).* Your goal is similar to mine (48).* There are two problems with the 72(t) withdraw as I see it.* From the mid 40's to 59.5 is a long way to go and the amounts you can take under 72(t) are limited.* Couple one of the more aggressive withdraw rates with a severe market decline and it could be nail-biting time.* If it goes bust, you owe a 10% penalty on all of the withdraws you took over the years.* OU-eeeeeee-OOuuuch!!!.*

I haven't seen the details of the Roth 401k yet but the Roth IRA allows you to take your contributions after 4 or 5 years (can't remember) without penalty.* If the Roth 401(k) also allows this, it might be beneficial to have some funds in one.* You can fund the Roth 401k more so that there is more money available as contributions and have the earnings be tax free later on.*

I'm still 10 years away from wanting any access to the ER funds, but I don't see a "best" answer anywhere.* You pay your money and you take your chances...

Cheers,

Chris

[gindie]

I believe you can take your "contributions" at any time. The 5-year rule applies to distributions of "earnings"

[OldAgePensioner]

nm

[MileKing]

I think it really depends on your situation. Currently, Mrs. MileKing and I are in the 28% tax bracket. In retirement (at least 10 years off), I expect we will only be in the 25% bracket and that is only if everything we spend each year is from our 401k or deferred compensation plan so it may be lower. Also, we currently pay 5.75% in state income tax. Plan is to move to a state with no income tax, thus saving that 5.75% on anything I can defer now. 3% Fed tax savings plus 5.75% state tax savings is quite a bit. Coupled with the time value of money, it seems like a no brainer to defer as much as possible now and pay the taxes later.