Our Family of Companies
western & southern financial group logo
western & southern life logo
columbus life logo
eagle realty group logo
fort washington logo
gerber life logo
integrity life logo
lafayette life logo
national integrity life logo
touchstone investments logo
w&s financial group distributors logo

No 401(k) at Work? Consider These Alternatives

Updated
Share:
Man hiking on a sunny day considering options after finding out he has no 401(k) at work

If you have no 401(k) at work, or if you're not eligible to contribute to one, you may want to consider alternative options. Traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs) offer tax-deferred savings, which makes them similar to 401(k)s. Since IRAs have certain income limitations, other options, such as variable annuities and taxable brokerage accounts, may also be worth considering.

Traditional IRA

Like a traditional 401(k), contributions are made to a traditional IRA on a pretax basis. Growth is tax-deferred and distributions are taxed as ordinary income.

Annual Maximum IRA Contributions

The maximum annual contribution to a traditional IRA is $6,500 for people under 50, according to the IRS1.
$6,500

An additional $1,000 annual catch-up contribution may be made by those age 50 and over.

Roth IRA

Like a Roth 401(k), contributions are made to a Roth IRA on an after-tax basis. Qualified distributions in retirement are therefore tax-free provided that certain criteria are met. You must be at least age 59 1/2 and have had the account for at least five years to take qualified distributions. The maximum annual contribution to a Roth IRA is the same as a traditional IRA: $6,500 for people under 50 and $7,500 for people age 50 and over for 2023.

SEP IRA

A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA is available for self-employed individuals with zero to five employees. Contributions are made on a pretax basis and may not exceed the lesser of $61,000 per year for 2022 or 25% of annual income, according to the IRS.

Live More & Worry Less

Live More & Worry Less

We have financial professionals ready to assist you on your retirement journey.

Nonqualified Variable Annuity

Contributions to a nonqualified variable annuity are made on an after-tax basis and growth is tax-deferred. The earnings are taxed as ordinary income. There is no annual maximum contribution amount and there are no income limitations to make contributions. Although nonqualified annuities are not designed to be retirement savings vehicles, they might help increase your tax-deferred growth.

Taxable Brokerage Account

Contributions are made on an after-tax basis. Account holders pay taxes annually on dividends, interest and capital gains.

401(K) Maximum Annual Contributions

The maximum annual contribution to a 401(k) plan is $22,500, with catch up contributions of $7,500 per year for those over 50 allowed by the IRS2 for 2023.
$22,500

Employers may make matching contributions to a 401(k) plan on a pretax basis.

Distributions from a traditional 401(k) are taxed as ordinary income for the calendar year in which they are withdrawn. Qualified Roth 401(k) distributions are tax-free, as long as you are at least age 59 1/2 and have had the account for at least five years, because the account holder pays taxes on contributions. The IRS imposes a 10% early withdrawal penalty on both traditional and Roth distributions made prior to age 59 1/2. We recommend you speak to a tax advisor about your situation.

Bottom Line

If you don't have a 401(k) at work, you might want to contribute regularly to a retirement plan or to a long-term investment account that will suit your personal financial situation. Whether you do it yourself, or if you work with a financial representative, consider alternatives to a 401(k) that will work for you. 

Investments inside IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, brokerage accounts, and variable annuities are subject to market and other types of risk. You have to potential to lose some or all of the principal amount invested. It is important that you consider your specific investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon before investing.

Live More & Worry Less

Live More & Worry Less

We have financial professionals ready to assist you on your retirement journey.

Sources

1 "Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits." IRS, 2021, https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits.

2 "Retirement Topics - 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan Contribution Limits." https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-401k-and-profit-sharing-plan-contribution-limits.

Other Topics

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Securities offered by registered representatives through W&S Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. All companies are member of Western & Southern Financial Group.

Make informed choices about your financial future. Visit BrokerCheck by FINRA.