Most employees approaching retirement participate in one of two retirement plan types:
- Salaried 401(k) Savings Plan
- Hourly / Union-Negotiated Savings Plan
Quick Plan Overview
Salaried 401(k) Plan
- Pre-tax and Roth deferral options
- Company matching contributions
- Target-date funds and index-based investment options
Hourly / Union Savings Plan
- Employer contributions, which may include automatic or profit-sharing components depending on plan provisions
- Employee deferrals and matching
- Loan and hardship withdrawal options
The Allocation Question
A strong investment lineup doesn't guarantee proper allocation.
We frequently see employees:
The right balance depends on your retirement timeline, income needs, and risk tolerance.
What You Can Control Now
While you're employed, your 401(k) typically remains within the plan. Some plans allow limited in-service withdrawals (often at age 59½), but in most cases, your investment choices are limited to the plan menu. That makes allocation even more important.
The Bottom Line
Your 401(k) is one of your most important retirement assets. Getting properly allocated today helps preserve and grow what you've built—so when rollover becomes available, your plan is already aligned with your long-term strategy.
These plans are not static—features, contributions, and investment options can change over time based on employer updates and union agreements, making periodic review essential.
At Pension vs. Lump Sum, reviewing your 401(k) allocation while you're still in the plan is a critical part of our Retirement Roadmap process—ensuring your assets are positioned properly for the transition.