401(k)
An employer-sponsored retirement plan that lets you contribute pre-tax (or Roth) dollars, often with an employer match.
A 401(k) is a workplace retirement account. You contribute from your paycheck up to an annual limit, and many employers match a portion of your contributions — effectively free money and usually the first dollars any saver should capture. Those over 50 can contribute an additional catch-up amount.
Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax: they lower your taxable income now, grow tax-deferred, and are taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn. Many plans also offer a Roth 401(k), where you contribute after-tax dollars for tax-free qualified withdrawals later. Both follow required minimum distribution rules, though Roth 401(k)s can be rolled to a Roth IRA to avoid them.
Withdrawals before age 59 and a half generally face a 10% penalty plus tax, with some exceptions. The annual contribution limit and catch-up amounts are set by the IRS and adjusted periodically, so it's worth confirming the current year's figures.
This definition is general information to help you understand a term, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures that change year to year (limits, thresholds, rates) should be confirmed against current official sources. For guidance on your situation, a licensed fee-only fiduciary is the right next step.