 Juggling
money in retirement plans
|
 Dear
Tax Talk,
I have a 401(k) plan through my work. My wife's
work has just offered a
401(k) option, which we'd like to take
advantage of. As the end of the year nears, I've been calculating our tax situation,
and I realize now I should have contributed more to my 401(k) this
year.
Basically,
I'd like to find a way to invest an extra $4,000 in retirement that I can also
reduce my AGI by, saving just under $1,000 in tax. My wife's 401(k)
plan is limited to a 25 percent maximum contribution per pay period. Given the
short time before year end, we could not get a meaningful amount into it. Our
AGI is likely to be above the $75,000 traditional IRA phase out for deductions,
but I've heard that if my wife does not have an employee-run 401(k),
the phase out for deduction is extended to $150,000, which would be well within
reach.
I'm planning on opening a traditional IRA in my wife's
name, transferring the $4,000 into it, then afterward opening the
401(k) at my wife's work and rolling the IRA into the
401(k). Her 401(k) plan indicates you can
roll in traditional IRAs. Do you think this is the easiest solution?
From what I've read, it does seem legal. Thanks much in advance.
-- Matthew  Dear
Matthew,
You've apparently done your homework. It used to be that,
up until a few years ago, if one spouse was in a retirement plan at work, the
other spouse was severely limited in making a deductible IRA contribution.
Now,
instead of having your deduction phase out when AGI is over $75,000, a married
couple with only one active participant in a plan can make a fully deductible
contribution when their AGI is below $150,000. The deduction for the nonparticipating
spouse is phased out between $150,000 and $160,000. Beginning in 2007, the AGI
thresholds will be indexed for inflation, which will allow deductible contributions
at higher income levels. The only question of concern is when
would your spouse be eligible to participate in her employer's plan if she misses
the initial enrollment? She might have to wait out six months or a year before
she is allowed to enroll in the company plan. But I'm sure you've already checked
this out. To ask a question on Tax Talk, go to the "Ask
the Experts" page and select "taxes" as the topic. |
