"Would you rather enjoy a $1,680 tax break today on your $6,000 401(k) contribution while you're in the 28-percent tax bracket, and then pay taxes on the $6,000 plus all the dividends and appreciation that might accrue over the next X years? Or, would you rather pay the $1,680 in taxes today, and, X years from now, take out the whole enchilada for free? It doesn't seem hard to figure that one, especially if you're a 30-something!"
As Grzymala notes, the benefit of tax-free savings is a no-brainer for younger workers who have 20, 30 or 40 years before retirement, but people who are close to retirement should carefully weigh the options.
Geordie Crossan, CFP, and president of NBS Financial Services in Westlake Village, Calif., advises employees to look at all of the sources they'll be using for money at retirement.
"Is it in qualified retirement plans or is it outside of qualified plans -- stock options, brokerage accounts? If their assets aren't in (tax-deferred) qualified retirement plans, then any ability to save in a tax-free vehicle vs. money coming out fully taxable gives options for planning distributions."
A survey by Hewitt Associates indicates that approximately 33 percent of 401(k)-plan sponsors are likely or somewhat likely to offer the Roth 401(k).
Lori Lucas, director of participant research at Hewitt, says it may take a show of interest by employees to get companies to add the Roth 401(k) option to their plans.
"We did the survey late last year, quite a ways off from when the Roth 401(k) would be available. There's some ambivalence on the part of plan sponsors. They're weighing trade-offs. The Roth 401(k) adds flexibility to the typical 401(k) plan, but it could add a dimension of confusion. People will need more education and more tools to understand the difference (between the regular 401(k) and the Roth 401(k).)"
Another reason some companies may be skittish about adding the Roth 401(k) is because it comes under a tax act that expires at the end of 2010. Unless Congress extends the act, participants will not be able to contribute additional money to the Roth after that time, although money already in the account would continue to grow tax-free.
But, as Crossan points out, from a saver's standpoint, if it makes sense to do something, then it makes sense to do it even if it's just for four years.
If you're interested in contributing to a Roth 401(k) plan, it may be in your best interest to talk to your employer about it. Don't assume the company will automatically make the arrangements.