I'm in the process of trying to decide how much to contribute each month to my 401k plan. My company allows up to 15% Pre-tax and they match up to 6%. What are the benefits of contributing more than what my company will match? I also have several DRiPs which I would still like contribute to on a monthly basis. Is there a limit to how much of a tax benefit it is to contribute Pre-Tax?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

Greetings, Jim, and welcome. You asked:

<<I'm in the process of trying to decide how much to contribute each month to my 401k plan. My company allows up to 15% Pre-tax and they match up to 6%. What are the benefits of contributing more than what my company will match? I also have several DRiPs which I would still like contribute to on a monthly basis. Is there a limit to how much of a tax benefit it is to contribute Pre-Tax?>>

Around Fooldom we believe you should participate in your 401k plan until you receive all the free money your employer will give you in the way of a matching contribution. Beyond that point, we suggest you step back and evaluate your options on a tax-equivalent basis. Compare your investment options to those available in any alternative you are considering. I suggest one way to that analysis in Step 4 of my 13 Steps to Foolish Retirement Planning available at http://www.fool.com/Retirement/Retirement.htm. Go through that type of analysis, and you may very well discover that a pre-tax investment isn't always the best route to go.

Regards..Pixy

what Pixy sez... plus -don't forget the Roth for your
change.

*i* max out the 401(k), tho 00% match, because i'm not
very good at saving if the money isn't taken away before
i see it.

i also change jobs fairly frequently, so i'm able to
keep rolling 401(k)'s into my IRA and 'invest' it away.


jp