Tom Meaglia photo

Tom Meaglia, ChFC®, AEP®,

CLU®, CRPC®, MSFS

Chartered Financial Consultant

Investment Advisor Representative

Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

CA Insurance Lic. #0567507

 

Meaglia Financial Consulting

2105 Foothill Blvd., #B140, La Verne, CA 91750

 

Toll Free: 800-386-3700

Bus:         909-593-6105

Cell:         818-681-8600

Fax:         909-593-6120

 

Email: tom@meagliafinancialconsulting.com

Website: www.meagliafinancialconsulting.com

September/October 2025

A 401(k) Plan: Paving the Road to Retirement

Senior couple in sports car

There's a lot to like about a 401(k) plan. Whether you already participate in your employer's plan or you're just now thinking about joining, reviewing the benefits as enrollment time approaches is a smart idea.


The Pretax Advantage
When you participate in a traditional 401(k) plan, your contributions to the plan are taken out of your pay before income taxes are deducted, thus lowering your taxable income. Your plan contributions and any earnings grow tax deferred until you withdraw them, typically at retirement, when you may be in a lower tax bracket than you are now. And with automatic payroll deduction, contributions to your employer's plan come out of your paycheck before you are tempted to spend the money.


The Benefits of a Match
Most employers match employee contributions up to a certain percentage. That's like getting "free money." All the funds you contribute to the plan belong to you right from the start. Over time, all your employer's contributions will also belong to you, based on a vesting schedule outlined in your employer's plan documents. Remember, the sooner you start contributing to your plan, the longer you'll have to benefit from compounding – earning interest on both contributions and earnings.


Tax Deduction
You have until December 31, 2025, to make contributions to a 401(k) to lower the taxable income on your 2025 income tax return, so consider contributing as much as possible. The maximum 401(k) plan contribution limit in 2025 is up to $23,500. However, if you're aged 50-59 you can add an additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions, bringing the total to $31,000. New in 2025, that catch-up contribution amount increases to $11,250 if you are age 60-63, for a total annual contribution of $34,750.


A Word About Roth 401(k)s
Your employer may also offer a Roth 401(k) option. Roth contributions are made with after-tax funds, so withdrawals are tax-free, provided all requirements are met. A Roth 401(k) may be a good option if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket after retirement.


SUBSCRIBE

Enter your Name and Email address to get
the newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Please include name of person that directed you to my online newsletter so I can thank them personally.


CONTACT US

Enter your Name, Email Address and a short message. We'll respond to you as soon as possible.

Thomas Meaglia is an Investment Adviser Representative of Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC, dba, Fusion Capital Management, a registered investment adviser that only conducts business in jurisdictions where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting.
Insurance and annuity products are not sold through Fusion Capital Management. Fusion does not endorse any annuity or insurance product, nor does it guarantee any insurance or annuity performance. Annuity and life insurance guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. If you withdraw money from or surrender your contract within a certain time after investing, the insurance company may assess a surrender charge. Withdrawals may be subject to tax penalties and income taxes. Persons selling annuities and other insurance products receive compensation for these transactions. These commissions are separate and distinct from Fusion's investment advisory fees.
Meaglia Financial Consulting and LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC are unrelated companies. This publication was prepared for the publication’s provider by LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC, an unrelated third party. Articles are not written or produced by the named representative.

The information and opinions contained in this web site are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions or for any damages resulting from the use of the published information. This web site is published with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, financial, or other professional advice. Whole or partial reproduction of this web site is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.