It’s time to boost 401(k) plan contributions for 2024. Here’s how much you should save

If you’re itching to save more for retirement, there are higher 401(k) contribution limits for 2024. But there are a few things to consider before maxing out your plan, experts say.

For 2024, you can defer up to $23,000 into 401(k) plans, up from $22,500 in 2023, with an extra $7,500 for savers age 50 and older. Some higher earners can funnel even more into their 401(k), depending on plan rules.

Some 15% of investors maxed out employee deferrals in 2022, according to a 2023 report from Vanguard. However, the average deferral rate was 7.3% for employees automatically enrolled in their plan.

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Pretax 401(k) contributions provide an upfront tax break by reducing adjusted gross income, but investors owe levies on future withdrawals. By comparison, after-tax Roth 401(k) contributions allow assets to grow tax-free, without reducing current-year taxes.

“If we’re fully comfortable with waiting until past age 59½ to touch that money, those tax advantages can really go a long way,” said certified financial planner Douglas Boneparth, president of Bone Fide Wealth in New York. He is also a member of CNBC’s Financial Advisor Council.

However, “affordability is obviously a big part of it,” and other financial goals may come before maximizing your retirement contributions in a given year, he said.

If you have limited cash flow, experts suggest contributing at least up to the employer match, which is a company deposit based on your contributions. “But then goal priorities kick in,” Boneparth said.

If you’re saving to buy a home or pay for a wedding, “you might see more money allocated to a money market fund or savings account than your 401(k)” for a time, he said.

Your emergency savings are also important, said Boston-based CFP Catherine Valega, founder of Green Bee Advisory, who recommends starting with at least three months of expenses.

Ultimately, you need to rank your short- and long-term goals, including how much those goals cost and when you want to achieve them, Boneparth added.

“Our goal is to get to that 401(k) max for everybody,” Valega said. “But there are plenty of clients who can’t.”

When deciding the right percentage, “sometimes, it’s a question of trial and error,” and you can try a higher contribution for a couple of paychecks to see how it feels for your cash flow, she said.

“If it feels like you’ve got a little more wiggle room, then you can increase it by one percent,” Valega said.

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