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April 15, 2024
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I have money in my 401k going to something called Roth but it doesn't say IRA. What is it?

  • April 15, 2024
  • 1 reply
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I have elective percent and Roth percent.
Best answer by dmertz

In the tax code, the Roth account in your 401(k) is called the "designated Roth account".  Colloquially it's called a "Roth 401(k)."  Similar to a Roth IRA, your contributions to the designated Roth account are made after-tax and investment growth in the account is tax free once the requirements for qualified distributions are met.  This differs from the money in the traditional 401(k) account which is tax-deferred, so you'll pay taxes when you take the money out.

1 reply

dmertzAnswer
Employee
April 15, 2024

In the tax code, the Roth account in your 401(k) is called the "designated Roth account".  Colloquially it's called a "Roth 401(k)."  Similar to a Roth IRA, your contributions to the designated Roth account are made after-tax and investment growth in the account is tax free once the requirements for qualified distributions are met.  This differs from the money in the traditional 401(k) account which is tax-deferred, so you'll pay taxes when you take the money out.