For 2007, the maximum amount an employee can contribute to a 401(k) plan is $10,500, except for catch-up contributions for employees age 50 or over, which adds another $2,500. There are several different limits that apply to a 401(k) plan in addition to the overall contribution limit. The maximum you can contribute will depend on your salary and the type of 401(k) plan to which you are contributing.

Deferred Salary Contributions can only be made from taxable income. If you are being paid expenses you can only make deferrals from taxable overscale per diem.

No. You must be employed by any of the contracts that are eligible under the plan and all salary deferrals must be before taxes are taken out.

The maximum for pre-tax or "Salary Savings" contributions under IRC Section 401(k) limitations is the lesser of $15,000 for the year 2006 (plus $5,000 "catch-up" contribution for 2006 calendar year). Other limitations on contributions, such as total contribution (combined employee and employer) or testing requirements, may reduce that maximum for a specific employee, plan, or plan year.

For 2000, if you participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k), you can deduct the maximum $2,000 annual IRA contribution only if you are: If you are single and earn more than $42,000 or married-filing-jointly and earn more than $62,000 you can still contribute to an IRA, but you can't deduct your contribution. On the other hand, money you contribute to an IRA still enjoys the benefit of tax-deferred growth until you withdraw it at retirement.

Your 401(k) plan helps you start regular investing, and stick with it. Your contributions are automatically deducted from your salary before you receive your check. Since the money is deducted from your gross income, you will have a lower taxable income, which means you will pay less in annual taxes. The money you save will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. This means you pay no federal or state taxes on your contributions or investment earnings until you start withdrawing money from the plan.

Yes. Current tax law (EGGTRA tax reform legislation passed in 2001 and effective beginning January 1, 2002), permits an individual under Portability provisions to transfer funds from a 401(k) plan offered by a for-profit corporation to a 403(b) plan such as the plan offered by Northwestern University and vice versa. Individuals wishing to do so should contact their investment companies.

No, it is not a new type of plan. Designated Roth contributions are a new type of contribution that can be accepted by new or existing 401(k) or 403(b) plans. This feature is permitted under a Code section added by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2006.

Yes, we want to help our nurses plan for the future, so we offer the best 401(k) program in the industry. k) Safe Harbor Plan Eligibility: First of the month following 90 days of employment; must be at least 21 years of age. Company Match: 100% of contributions up to the first 3% of compensation plus 50% of contributions up to the next 2% of compensation Contributions: Employee may contribute up to $13,000; Age 50 and over may contribute up to an additional $3,000.

You request a “hardship withdrawal,” which is approved by Putnam Investments in accordance with the rules of the Plan for the amount needed. Please see page 12 of the Summary Plan Description (PDF, 215K) for more information about hardship withdrawals.

IRA can be rolled over into a qualified retirement plan, assuming the qualified retirement plan has language permitting such rollovers.

A 401(k) safe harbor plan is a 401(k) plan that automatically satisfies the nondiscrimination rules for elective deferrals and matching contributions. For a 401(k) plan to be considered a safe harbor plan, employers must satisfy certain contribution, vesting, and notice requirements.

the name implies, a 401(k) "look-alike" plan works much like a conventional 401(k) plan. Rather than offering a traditional 401(k) retirement plan, some corporations offer their employees, typically their executives, a "look-alike" plan. Most "look-alike" plans are funded by the employer with a variable universal life insurance policy that insures the life of the employee.

an American Mobile Healthcare traveler, you can start saving for retirement as soon as you begin your first assignment. You can contribute 50 percent of your salary or $13,000 annually, whichever is less. If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute $16,000 a year. After 1,000 hours of continuous service, American Mobile Healthcare will match 50 cents for each dollar you defer up to 6 percent.

Yes. If your employer(s) offer both a 403(b) and a 401(k), you may contribute to both. However, your aggregate contributions may not exceed the elective deferral limit. In 2005, this limits your total contribution to $14,000. If you are age 50 or older at any time during the year, your contribution limit increases to $18,000.