Should You Stop Using a Roth 401(k) After a Certain Income? (Money Q&A) episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 8, 2025 · 40 MIN

Should You Stop Using a Roth 401(k) After a Certain Income? (Money Q&A)

from The Personal Finance Podcast · host Andrew Giancola

In this episode of The Personal Finance Podcast, Andrew answers eight questions on tax strategies and retirement planning, covering when investment moves trigger taxes (depends on account type), tax loss harvesting for high earners, why the 75-80% retirement income rule uses pre-tax numbers but you should plan more conservatively, strategic Roth 401k timing in lower tax brackets, a TransUnion data breach affecting 4.4 million Americans, income thresholds where traditional 401ks beat Roth options (24-30% marginal rates), saving for kids' expenses using the five-year investment rule, emergency fund storage as rates drop, and comprehensive pension planning beyond just relying on guaranteed payments. Today we are going to answer these questions: Do you get taxed when moving money from one investment to another inside the same account? How does tax-loss harvesting work? Most retirement rules I’ve seen state that you want 75 to 80% of your pre-retirement income. Is that before or after taxes? Should you max out a Roth 401(k) in the first quarter of the year because of the lower marginal tax rate? At what annual income should someone avoid a Roth 401(k) and do traditional for tax purposes? Putting money away for kids’ wedding, cars, etc.—for when they get older. HYSA or brokerage? What are the best high-yield ways to store an emergency fund? How to plan for retirement with a pension?   How Andrew Can Help You: Listen to The Business Show here. Don't let another year pass by without making significant strides toward your dreams. "Master Your Money Goals" is your pathway to a future where your aspirations are not just wishes but realities. Enroll now and make this year count! Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! Learn to invest by joining  Index Fund Pro! This is Andrew’s course teaching you how to invest!  Watch The Master Money Youtube Channel! , Ask Andrew a question on Instagram or TikTok Learn how to get out of Debt by joining our Free Course  Leave Feedback or Episode Requests here.  Car buying Calculator here Thanks to Our Amazing Sponsors for supporting The Personal Finance Podcast Shopify: Shopify makes it so easy to sell. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at  shopify.com/pfp Thanks to Policy Genius for Sponsoring the show! Go to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quote. Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/personalfinance Go to https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/ for 20% off! Shop outdoor furniture, grills, lawn games, and WAY more for WAY less. Head to wayfair.com Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarchmoney.com/PFP Chime: Start your credit journey with Chime. Sign-up takes only two minutes and doesn’t affect your credit score. Get started at chime.com/  Acorns: Start investing automatically with Acorns and get a $5 bonus at Acorns.com/PFP  Go to https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/ and Use Promo Code PFP for 20% off!    Links Mentioned in This Episode:  tax loss harvesting,  Connect With Andrew on Social Media: Instagram TikTok Twitter Master Money Website Master Money Youtube Channel   Free Guides: The Stairway to Wealth: The Order of Operations for your Money How to Negotiate Your Salary The 75 Day Money Challenge Get out Of Debt Fast Take the Money Personality Quiz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Personal Finance Podcast, Andrew answers eight questions on tax strategies and retirement planning, covering when investment moves trigger taxes (depends on account type), tax loss harvesting for high earners, why the 75-80% retirement income rule uses pre-tax numbers but you should plan more conservatively, strategic Roth 401k timing in lower tax brackets, a TransUnion data breach affecting 4.4 million Americans, income thresholds where traditional 401ks beat Roth options (24-30% marginal rates), saving for kids' expenses using the five-year investment rule, emergency fund storage as rates drop, and comprehensive pension planning beyond just relying on guaranteed payments. Today we are going to answer these questions: Do you get taxed when moving money from one investment to another inside the same account? How does tax-loss harvesting work? Most retirement rules I’ve seen state that you want 75 to 80% of your pre-retirement income. Is that before or after taxes? Should you max out a Roth 401(k) in the first quarter of the year because of the lower marginal tax rate? At what annual income should someone avoid a Roth 401(k) and do traditional for tax purposes? Putting money away for kids’ wedding, cars, etc.—for when they get older. HYSA or brokerage? What are the best high-yield ways to store an emergency fund? How to plan for retirement with a pension?   How Andrew Can Help You: Listen to The Business Show here. Don't let another year pass by without making significant strides toward your dreams. "Master Your Money Goals" is your pathway to a future where your aspirations are not just wishes but realities. Enroll now and make this year count! Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! Learn to invest by joining  Index Fund Pro! This is Andrew’s course teaching you how to invest!  Watch The Master Money Youtube Channel! , Ask Andrew a question on Instagram or TikTok Learn how to get out of Debt by joining our Free Course  Leave Feedback or Episode Requests here.  Car buying Calculator here Thanks to Our Amazing Sponsors for supporting The Personal Finance Podcast Shopify: Shopify makes it so easy to sell. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at  shopify.com/pfp Thanks to Policy Genius for Sponsoring the show! Go to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quote. Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/personalfinance Go to https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/ for 20% off! Shop outdoor furniture, grills, lawn games, and WAY more for WAY less. Head to wayfair.com Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarchmoney.com/PFP Chime: Start your credit journey with Chime. Sign-up takes only two minutes and doesn’t affect your credit score. Get started at chime.com/  Acorns: Start investing automatically with Acorns and get a $5 bonus at Acorns.com/PFP  Go to https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/ and Use Promo Code PFP for 20% off!    Links Mentioned in This Episode:  tax loss harvesting,  Connect With Andrew on Social Media: Instagram TikTok Twitter Master Money Website Master Money Youtube Channel   Free Guides: The Stairway to Wealth: The Order of Operations for your Money How to Negotiate Your Salary The 75 Day Money Challenge Get out Of Debt Fast Take the Money Personality Quiz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Should You Stop Using a Roth 401(k) After a Certain Income? (Money Q&A)

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This episode is 40 minutes long.

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This episode was published on September 8, 2025.

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In this episode of The Personal Finance Podcast, Andrew answers eight questions on tax strategies and retirement planning, covering when investment moves trigger taxes (depends on account type), tax loss harvesting for high earners, why the 75-80%...

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