Workplace retirement plan with zero employer match

Submitted by Whodiini on Fri, 2024-02-16 21:55

Question: To contribute/qualify to contribute to an IRA, one of the requirements is not to have a workplace retirement plan.

I work part time, contribute to a workplace Roth 401k with zero employer match. I am not covered by a pension/defined benefits through my part time work. Is this Roth 401k considered a workplace retirement plan for purposes of being able to contribute to an IRA? If so, I am limited by my AGI so I am not eligible to contribute to a IRA.

second related question: If the above answer is I dont qualify because of the Roth 401k, can I stop my contributions to my workplace 401k and then qualify to contribute to an IRA and spousal IRA?

Thanks!



Submitted by Alan - IRA critic on Sat, 2024-02-17 00:21

Yes, any 401k contributions result in being treated as covered by a workplace plan for the entire year of the contribution, no matter how small. Being covered results in a maximum AGI limit to deduct IRA contributions, but does not affect non deductible TIRA contributions. If one spouse is not covered but the other is, the deduction for IRA contributions for both spouses can be affected.

Submitted by Whodiini on Sat, 2024-02-17 00:51

Thank you for your response.So if I stop Roth 401k contributions, I can then claim I have no workplace plan??Then I can contribute to an IRA and spousal IRA.  The reason that matters is that I can do the IRA and spousal IRA in the next year for the prior year taxes. That way I can find out in Feb what my AGI is for the prior year and trim it  to below a certain level for tax purposes.  e.g. medicare, tax rate steps, etc.. There really arent other ways I can find that allow one to reduce your AGI for the prior year.  I discovered that one cannot change Roth 401k contributions, one cannot change IRA to Roth IRA amounts, etc. 

Submitted by David Mertz on Sat, 2024-02-17 02:19

Being an active participant in a workplace retirement plan does *not* make you ineligible to contribute to an IRA.  However, depending on your modified AGI, being a active participant in a workplace retirement plan might make a traditional IRA contribution nondeductible.

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