If your employer offers both a 403(b) and a 401(k), you can contribute to both plans to boost your retirement savings. However, there are limits on the combined total of so-called salary reduction contributions you can make in a tax year.
The contribution limit is $22,500 for 2023, and $23,000 for 2024. For those age 50 and over, the catch-up contribution limit is an additional $7,500 for both 2023 and 2024. These are the same limits placed on contributions to either plan individually. So you are free to use both vehicles, but the caps on tax-deferred contributions remain the same.
Key Takeaways
- You can contribute to more than one retirement account.
- 403(b) plans are typically meant for employees of non-profits and have fewer administrative requirements than 401(k)s.
- The maximum tax-deferred contribution is the same whether you contribute to one or both accounts: $22,500 in 2023 and $23,000 in 2024.
- 401(k) plans generally have more generous employer matches.
- Taxpayers age 50 and older can make a catch-up contribution of an additional $7,500 in both 2023 and 2024.
403(b) and 401(k) Plans
The 403(b) plan is typically made available to employees of non-profits such as public schools, tax-exempt organizations, and religious groups. Contributions are made in pretax dollars, and deductions are made directly from the employee’s salary. The employer may match a portion of the employee’s contribution. The employee chooses how to invest the money based on options offered by the employer.
If this sounds similar to a 401(k), it is—at least from the employee’s viewpoint. The 403(b) has fewer administrative requirements designed for cash-strapped non-profits. In addition, a 403(b) is often administered by an insurance company rather than an investment firm as is standard with 401(k) plans. Nevertheless, many 403(b) plans still have access to mutual funds. Some employees have access to both types of plan.
A 401(k) offers more investment choices to employees. Previously, a 401(k) didn’t offer annuities as an investment choice. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 permits annuities to be offered as an investment choice for 401(k) plans. 401(k) holders have a long list of other options including stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, and target date funds. A 403(b) only offers annuities and mutual funds. Overall a 401(k) offers more flexibility and choice regarding investments.
A 401(k) plan may generally have a more generous employer match. That’s because big companies usually have more money to offer in benefits than nonprofit organizations, so it may not apply to a non-profit that offers both plans.
One Big Difference
There is one big difference between a 403(b) and a 401(k). For both plans, you must be at least 59½ to withdraw funds; otherwise, you’ll need to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
However, 403(b) participants enjoy a bit more leeway regarding exceptions to the early withdrawal penalty. For example, you can take a distribution if you have a severance from your employer. For 401(k) participants, you must be at least 55 to take a distribution following service separation. In either case, distributions are taxed at ordinary income rates.
Fast Fact
The 403(b) plan was designed for use by non-profits such as public schools and charitable organizations.
One More Catch-Up
As noted above, an employee age 50 or above can contribute an extra $7,500 in both 2023 and 2024 to either plan. The IRS calls that a catch-up. It’s intended to help employees boost savings as their retirement date grows closer.
Another catch-up provision in the 403(b) plan applies only to employees with at least 15 years of service if the employer approves it. It’s worth checking out this rule if it applies to you and you can afford the extra contribution from your salary.
According to the IRS, “If permitted by the 403(b) plan, an employee who has at least 15 years of service with the same eligible 403(b) employer—a public school system, hospital, home health service agency, health and welfare service agency, church, or convention or association of churches (or associated organization), has a 403(b) elective deferral limit that is increased by the lesser of:
- $3,000,
- $15,000, reduced by the amount of additional elective deferrals made in prior years because of this rule, or
- $5,000 times the number of the employee’s years of service for the organization, minus the total elective deferrals made for earlier years.
Special Considerations
The differences between 401(k) and 403(b) plans, both of which offer qualified tax-advantaged retirement plans, differ from who offers them to how you can invest within them.
For-profit companies offer 401(k) plans to their employees, and 403(b) plans are financial vehicles used by those working in universities, schools, government, and non-profit organizations. If your employer offers both types of plans, you may invest in both types. 403(b) plans for churches and governmental employees are exempt from nondiscrimination testing. All 401(k) plans as well as 403(b) plans from all other employer types must satisfy nondiscrimination requirements.
From a legal standpoint, 403(b) plans do not have to comply with all of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulations, which govern qualified, tax-deferred retirement investments. 403(b) plans do not have to meet all regulations due to a U.S. Department of Labor regulation, which cites that 403(b) plans are not technically labeled as employer-sponsored if the employer doesn’t make contributions to the accounts. However, many employers do fund contributions, making them subject to ERISA regulations and standard reporting requirements just as the employers offering 401(k) plans are.
What Is the Difference Between a 401(k) and 403(b)?
A 401(k) plan is a retirement plan offered by private companies to their employees. A 403(b) plan is used by educators at public schools and universities and tax-exempt organizations. A 401(k) plan allows for the investment of individual stocks, bonds, annuities, ETFs, mutual funds, and other investments whereas a 403(b) plan offers ETFs and annuities.
What Is the Maximum Combined Contribution to a 401(k) and 403(b)?
The contribution limit is $22,500 for 2023 and $23,000 for 2024 for both plans. For anyone age 50 and over, the catch-up contribution limit is an additional $7,500 for both years.
Can You Contribute to a 401(k) and 403(b) at the Same Time?
You can contribute to both a 403(b) and a 401(k) if your employer offers both types of plans. Note there are limits on the combined total contributions you can make on an annual basis. The contribution limit is $22,500 for 2023 and $23,000 for 2024. If you are age 50 or older, you can make a catch-up contribution of up to $7,500 in both 2023 and 2024. So you can contribute to both accounts, but the combined amount contributed to the two cannot exceed the limits.
Which Is Better, a 401(k) or 403(b)?
Both types of retirement accounts are solid retirement accounts, funded with pre-tax dollars from your salary, but 401(k) offer more diversity in how you can invest.
The Bottom Line
If your employer offers both a 401(k) and a 403(b), you can contribute to both plans, but there are limits on how much you can contribute with your pre-tax dollars. The contribution limit can be as high as $30,000 in 2023, if you are age 50 or older ($30,500 in 2024). However, the combined total contributed to both accounts cannot exceed these limits.
If you only have one account, you can still invest your pre-tax dollars and take advantage of employer-matching funds. The more you save towards retirement, the better off you will be financially when you step away from your job.