Employees ages 18 to 24 were
least likely to use company-sponsored
401(k)
plans—participation rates sit at 28%, with just 4% reaching maximum
levels and 16% putting away the amount needed for the greatest
employer contribution allowed under the plan, according to the
survey. Participation in tax-advantaged IRAs and medical flexible
spending accounts was 19% and 10%, respectively, and a lack of
education may be to blame—57% said they didn’t know if they
qualified for a traditional or Roth IRA and 11% were uncertain if
their employer offered a medical FSA.
Nearly one in five rated their employer as horrible in delivering tax-advantaged benefit information. Tax analyst David Bergstein, CPA, suggests that firms consider if they’re using the communication avenues that young employees are most receptive to. “If young workers are not hearing the message, no matter how good it is, they don’t have the information they need to make informed choices,” he said.
To avoid using catch-up contributions later in life, Bergstein suggests employees of all ages consider these tax-saving, retirement-friendly habits:
Add up how much you paid in income taxes for 2006 and
research what tax-saving benefit programs and tax-advantaged accounts
you qualify for.
Participate in a medical FSA.
Contribute to a 401(k), at least up to the amount needed
for the maximum employer contribution.
Take a portion of your 2006 tax refund and put it toward
retirement.
Source: CCH and Harris Interactive taxpayer survey, http://hr.cch.com/news.
