How Auto-Enrollment in a 401(k) Plan Works: Benefits and What It Means for Your Retirement Savings
The best time to start saving for retirement is…now. Features like auto-enrollment and auto-escalation make it easy to save for your golden years with little effort on your part. If you’re unfamiliar with these features, keep reading to see how they can help you start saving today for tomorrow.
While auto-enrollment and auto-escalation have been around for years, some employers are now required to turn on these features due to SECURE 2.0, legislation aimed at helping employees save for retirement. These features are designed to automatically enroll employees into their company’s 401(k) plan and increase contributions over time.
So, how does auto-enrollment work, and what does it mean for your retirement savings plan? Scroll down to learn more about:
- What is auto-enrollment
- Benefits of auto-enrollment
- How to check if you've been auto-enrolled in your company’s 401(k)
- Changing your contribution rate
- How Betterment at Work can help you optimize your saving strategy
What is auto-enrollment in a 401(k)?
There are plenty of reasons why people hesitate to set money aside for retirement—daily expenses, not knowing how much to save, not knowing how to sign up, to name a few— but auto-enrollment can make it easy to get started. Companies will auto–enroll new hires at a default rate—typically 3-8%—which you can adjust at any time. Once your money is in the market, you’ll benefit from a little thing called compound interest: The interest your money earns also accrues interest over time.
Let’s explore other ways auto-enrollment makes saving for retirement easy…
Benefits of auto-enrollment in a 401(k):
- Automatically save for retirement: Starting a new job can be overwhelming with so many new benefits to consider (healthcare, life insurance, etc), but with auto-enrollment, you can start saving for retirement immediately without having to take any action.
- Employer match contributions: If your employer offers a match, auto-enrollment ensures you won’t miss collecting this sweet financial boost.
- Tax advantages: Good news! Since 401(k) contributions are made pre-tax, this lowers your taxable income —which can help you hold onto more of your hard-earned cash.
- Early and consistent long-term saving: You can stay on track with minimal effort, thanks to auto-escalation. If you’re auto-enrolled, your default rate will increase 1% each year, to a maximum set by your employer (no greater than 15%), unless you adjust the contribution rate yourself. Whenever you log in and adjust your contribution rate, auto-escalation is turned off.
By incrementally upping your contribution rate, auto-escalation ensures you’re saving more over time—and simplifies the decision-making process.
How to check if you’ve been auto-enrolled in your company’s 401(k):
If you’ve never logged in before, you’ll first have to activate your account. Visit betterment.com/accountaccess to get started.
Once you’re in, you can see the status of your account by selecting the “Retirement” goal from the left-hand side of the screen. Click on “Activity” to review your past contributions.
It’s a good idea to monitor your contribution rate, and increase it when you can. Many experts recommend contributing 10–15% of your paycheck towards retirement so you have enough to live on. 10-15% may sound like a lot, so start with anything you’re comfortable with. Many auto-enrollment plans enroll employees at a low contribution rate, like 3% – but it’s important to keep in mind that that’s just a starting point. The point of auto-escalation is to keep it moving into that sweet spot of 10-15% over time.
As always, Betterment is here to help you confidently plan for retirement, with the tools and resources you need to make smart decisions for your money. Remember, small, consistent contributions can really add up. With auto-enrollment and auto-escalation, you can put your savings on auto-pilot, so you can focus on the rest of your life.