How Saving Too Much in Your 401(k) Could Cost You

The idea of contributing too much to a company retirement plan may sound strange, but it can happen, especially if an employee contributes high amounts in a short time frame, thereby hitting the annual contribution limit too early and missing out on part of the employer's 401(k) match, rather than spreading contributions out during the year.

For 2014 the annual 401(k) contribution limit for workers under age 50 is $17,500, and for those age 50 and older it's $23,000. (Matching contributions from the employer don't count toward these caps.) Let's say a 40-year-old worker who makes $100,000 a year contributes 25% of her pay to a 401(k) plan every two weeks starting in January, and that the company matches the first 3% dollar-for-dollar. By contributing at such a high rate, the worker would reach the $17,500 cap on annual contributions sometime in September and wouldn't be able to make any more contributions after that.

Up to that point the worker would have had $2,192 added to her 401(k) through her employer match. But by contributing at a lower rate each pay period (17.5% of pay, to be exact) and spreading her contributions out more evenly throughout the full calendar year, the worker would receive a full year's worth of the employer match: $3,000. By contributing too much too soon, the worker has cost herself more than $800 in eligible retirement money from her employer.

It's well worth planning ahead so as not to miss out on matches later in the year. Saving a lot in your 401(k) is a good thing, but when you save it may be nearly as important.

401(k) plans are long-term retirement savings vehicles. Withdrawal of pre-tax contributions and/or earnings will be subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59 1/2, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.