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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Investor Alley => Topic started by: freeatlast on February 26, 2017, 10:45:59 PM

Title: Options if no 401(k) at new job
Post by: freeatlast on February 26, 2017, 10:45:59 PM
I posted this under "ask a musician" - but maybe it belongs here instead!

Hubby is taking a new job where he can't join the 401(k) for a year and a half which is a bummer.  We make enough wherein the tax reduction for investing pre-tax dollars is valuable.  Is there any way around the caps on the IRA? Any thoughts on tax favorable investments for him while he waits to get into the plan?

Love this board. Thanks all!
Title: Re: Options if no 401(k) at new job
Post by: Paul der Krake on February 26, 2017, 11:26:25 PM
Short of starting his own business and rolling out an employer plan himself, the answer is no. Sorry.

In the meantime, make sure you max out every other tax-advantaged vehicle available to your household.
Title: Re: Options if no 401(k) at new job
Post by: Heroes821 on February 27, 2017, 07:14:57 AM
Alternatively, can your husband talk to HR and request that they allow him to join the 401k immediately but have them not match until the 18 months is up?

If he hasn't signed the contract yet, it shouldn't be hard for them to change it, he can probably explain how important retirement savings is for him and how it doesn't really affect their bottom line if they simply allow him to contribute.
Title: Re: Options if no 401(k) at new job
Post by: NoStacheOhio on February 27, 2017, 07:27:06 AM
I'm curious about where this falls in the "covered by employer plan" IRA deduction rules. If it's an 18 month exclusion, then that's going to cover a full tax year, so wouldn't you be able to deduct contributions under $186k MAGI for MFJ? I get that if you're covered by an employer plan for any part of the year, it counts for the whole year, but where does this fall?
Title: Re: Options if no 401(k) at new job
Post by: SeattleCPA on February 27, 2017, 08:06:04 AM
Short of starting his own business and rolling out an employer plan himself, the answer is no. Sorry.

In the meantime, make sure you max out every other tax-advantaged vehicle available to your household.

I think if your husband isn't eligible that you have at least the IRA option available... and possibly, depending on your household income, a spousal IRA available too...

Here's a source:

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/are-you-covered-by-an-employers-retirement-plan