This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
A 403(b) plan or tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) is a retirement account for public schools, colleges, and universities as well as for churches and non-profit organizations. While the account works similarly to other retirement plans like a 401k, there are some differences.
It’s crucial to understand the ins and outs of your 403b plan. In addition to your 403b, you can also contribute to a Roth IRA. We’ll dive into these plans and help you decide between a traditional 403(b) and a Roth IRA.
What is a 403(b) Plan?
The nickname 403(b) comes from the specific IRS tax code which covers this type of account. 403(b) plans are designed for those working at a nonprofit, public education (including a college or university), churches, and a few other tax-exempt organizations.
If you’re familiar with a 401k account, then it’s easier to say a 403b is similar, but with different, nuanced rules. The big thing to know is your 403b is a way to save for retirement in a tax-advantaged account.
Contribution Limits
In 2024, your normal contribution limit (through salary deferrals) is $23,000 into your 403(b). If you’re over age 50, you can contribute an additional catch-up of $7,500 each year. 403b accounts also have an additional “15-year” catch-up contribution of up to $3,000 (more on this later).
Employer-Matching Contributions
While many employers do offer matching contributions to your 403(b), it’s not a guarantee. However, if they do, you could potentially save even more for retirement. Regardless, the most you could potentially save (in 2024) is a total of $69,000 (including employer matching) per year into your 403(b).
As you can see, the fundamentals of these plans are very similar to a standard 401(k). However, there are some specific advantages and disadvantages of a 403(b).
Benefits and Drawbacks of a 403(b) Plan Over a 401(k)
If you have the option of contributing to a 401(k) or 403(b), it’s critical to understand how you can maximize your investment. Here is a quick breakdown of the top benefits of a 403(b) compared to a 401(k).
The 15-Year Catch-Up for 403(b) Accounts
As we mentioned, if you’re over 50 you can put away “catch-up” contributions every year until you retire. If allowed by the 403(b) plan, an employee who’s worked at least 15 years at the same employer can contribute up to another $3,000 annually. The lifetime total of this catch-up is $15,000.
To qualify, you must have worked at the same eligible employer for 15 years. Best of all, you don’t have to be age 50 or older to start contributing using the 15-year catch-up.
Immediate Vesting
If you’re not familiar with the term vesting, it refers to when employer contributions become the property of an employee. Usually, companies will draft specific requirements for vesting to occur. For example, you might have to work several years before you own all of the money in the account.
Delayed vesting encourages you to stick around for longer. If the money is vested immediately, you could leave and work for someone else with free cash from your employer. This causes employers to hold off on vesting so you don’t just take the money and run.
With a 403(b) plan, all contributions, including employer contributions, are vested immediately. With a 401(k) or other qualified plan, employers don’t have to allow for immediate vesting.
Lower Account Costs
You might pay less in administrative fees. This is because the account isn’t regulated by the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This reduces the paperwork and other “testing” costs. However, this could be a benefit or a drawback, as we’ll discuss later.
Drawbacks of 403(b) Accounts
Although there are some potential benefits of 403b accounts versus other retirement accounts, there are some potential drawbacks.
Lack of Investment Options
403(b) plan investment options are limited to mutual funds or annuities with fixed or variable contracts. However, if your only option is a 403(b), it’s far better than nothing at all. Investment options will vary between employers, but you should still be able to build a diversified portfolio to meet your needs.
Lack of Oversight
As we mentioned, a traditional 403b account isn’t regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This means it’s not required to follow all the same rules as some other retirement accounts like a 401k. This may mean your costs will be lower, but your account isn’t protected the same way either.
A 403b isn’t subject to “non-discrimination” testing to see if executives and managers are getting disproportionately higher benefits and contributions. In other words, regular employees could end up getting the short end of the stick. Also, your employer could terminate the plan without warning, leaving you with no recourse.
Withdrawal Penalties
As with 401(k) plans, you’ll get hit with a 10-percent excise tax if you take money out before turning 59-1/2. However, there are exceptions, such as leaving your job when you’re 55 or older or becoming disabled.
Overall, the downsides of a 403(b) aren’t very significant for most employees. It’s still a great way to save for retirement with a few additional nuanced differences.
Comparing a Traditional 403(b) and a Roth IRA
Even if you have a 403b, you can still contribute to an IRA or Roth IRA on your own (subject to annual contribution limits). We recommend setting up a Roth IRA even if you don’t need one right now because this starts the clock for one of the 5-year rules.
Although it’s somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison, we’re going to talk about whether you should use your Roth IRA versus your traditional 403b. In short, we see this as a “both and” type of scenario – not an “either or” scenario.
Tax Payment
One of the primary advantages of contributing to a traditional 403(b) over a Roth IRA is the ability to deduct contributions from your income on your taxes. This could be particularly useful if you have a higher income or need to lower your taxable income.
You’ll have to pay taxes on money you withdraw in retirement. In other words, you’ll get a deduction now and pay taxes later. One advantage is your “income” in retirement is taxed at the tax rate you have when you withdraw it. So, if you’re in a higher tax bracket now (e.g., 22% or higher), you may be able to pay less in taxes later.
However, you’ll eventually be subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) which could force you into a higher tax bracket in retirement or cause other issues.
With a Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax money. So, withdrawals are not taxed or counted in your adjusted gross income (AGI) in retirement. This can have significant benefits. Also, Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs.
You still have to meet the requirements for the Roth IRA withdrawals to be penalty free. You need to be at least 59-1/2 and have had the account open for at least five tax-years prior. Also, specific life events like buying a house or paying for a medical emergency qualify as well.
Contribution Limits
You can contribute up to $23,000 into your 403(b). If you’re over age 50, you have options for additional catch-up contributions of $7,500 each year as well as the “15-year” catch-up of up to $3,000 ($15,000 lifetime).
For a Roth IRA, you can contribute up to $7,000, plus an extra $1,000 for age 50 and older. Roth IRAs also have income restrictions. In 2024, contributions are phased out between income of $146,000 ($230,000 married filing joint) and $161,000 ($240,000 married filing joint).
If you make more than $161,000 ($240,000 married filing joint), you can’t contribute directly into a Roth IRA. However, you may still be able to do a backdoor Roth conversion.
Also, if your employer has a Roth 403b as an option, you could contribute to it too.
Which One is Right for You?
There’s nothing wrong with having both a Roth IRA and 403(b) simultaneously. As a matter of fact, it’s probably best to have a Roth IRA in addition to your traditional 403b regardless. This allows you to save more money for retirement and opens up options for tax-saving strategies too.
Whether you choose one account or both, keeping your savings rate high never hurts. Having both accounts creates flexibility and allows you to utilize the different tax advantages available to you.