Sometimes, I’ll get a question from a client who’s new employer offers what’s called a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan and not a 401(k). Most people have never heard of a SIMPLE IRA and are curious to know how it differs from a 401(k). A SIMPLE IRA stands for Savings Investment Match Plan for Employees.
One of the key differences of why your employer may have a SIMPLE IRA versus a 401(k), is that SIMPLE IRAs are geared for employers with less than a 100 employees. In addition to that, the administrative cost of a SIMPLE IRA for your employer is considerably much less than what a 401(k) would be. So, these are the common reasons why you might see an employer offering a SIMPLE IRA versus a 401(k). Now, on to the six things that you should know about the SIMPLE IRA.
1. Your employers contributions are 100% vested.
What that means is that some 401(k)s you have to have worked for the employer for a certain number of years to be vested. Meaning that if you were to leave that employer you could take that employer’s matching contribution. But with the 401(k)s you have anywhere from three to five years to where you’re 100% vested, which is different with SIMPLE IRA. The SIMPLE IRA you are 100% vested whenever the employer deposits that into your account. Definitely a huge difference than the 401(k).
2. Employers Have To Match in a SIMPLE IRA
Each year, the employer is required to make a contribution to your SIMPLE IRA account whether it be in the form of a match or what’s called a non-elected contribution. Matching contribution states that the employer has to match at least what you match. So, if you’re matching 3%, the employer has to match 3% as well. Note that 3% is the most that the employer has to match, which could be considerably different than compared to a 401(k).
The employer does have the option to reduce the matching amount to 1% for two of a five year period. So, what that means is that if the employer does do this, that they have to match the full 3% for the remaining three of those five years. Can be a little tricky, but also know that your employer is matching no matter what. If the employer chooses to not do a match, then they may do what is called a non-elect contribution and what that means is that they will contribute 2% of your salary no matter what. Even if you are contributing 3% of your salary, they will only contribute the 2%.
3. Employees Control the Investments
With most 401(k)s, you are limited to the investment options that you have. This is considerably different when compared to the SIMPLE IRA. Being a self employed retirement plan, the SIMPLE IRA gives you the discretion of what exactly you want your money invested into. That means that if you want to buy individual stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, or CDs, you are allowed.
4. Employees can contribute 100% of income into a SIMPLE IRA.
You are allowed to contribute up to $11,500 per year in a SIMPLE IRA. If you’re over the age of 50, you’re allowed a catch-up contribution, which is 2,500. Please note that the $11,500 is far less than the $16,500 that you are eligible to contribute to a 401k.
Update: Simple IRA contribution limits remained the same for 2010. The amount is still $11,500 per year with the additional catch up of $2,500.
5. SIMPLE IRA’s Do Not Allow Loans
A lot of 401(k)s have loan provisions that allow the employee to borrow against their money if need be. With SIMPLE IRAs, this is not the case. Keep that in mind if you’re thinking that this might be a last resort place to draw money out.
6. The SIMPLE IRA Two-year Rule.
This is something that should be definitely noted within the SIMPLE IRA. Most retirement plans — 401(k)s, regular IRAs, or Roth IRAs, etc. — have the 10% early withdrawal penalty if under the age of 59.5. But with the SIMPLE IRA, it takes it one step further. If the SIMPLE IRA that you’ve started is less than two years and you cash that out, instead of the normal 10% penalty, you will be subject to a 25% penalty in addition to ordinary income tax. That is a huge item to not be overlooked. Keeping in mind as well too that doesn’t apply to just cashing it out. If you were attempting to roll over your SIMPLE IRA into a rollover IRA, the 25% penalty would apply as well. The key point is just to wait the two years before converting into either a regular IRA or cashing it out.
7. 2010 Contributions Have Remained the Same
Just in case you missed in number 4, the contributions limits have stayed the same in 2010. The increase in 2009 was from $10,500 to $11,500. The catch up contribution also remained at $2,500. That means that for somebody that turns 50 in the year 2010 and has access to a Simple IRA can contribute a total of $14,000.
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA, SIPC.
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