IRA vs. 401(k): What’s the Difference?

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The information in this article is up to date for tax year 2024 (returns filed in 2025).

Retirement investing has significant tax benefits and financial implications now and in the future. That’s why it’s important to understand your options. 

IRAs and 401(k)s are popular tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts. But they have key differences in investment options, tax treatment, contributions and withdrawals. 

Here’s what you need to know:

IRA vs. 401(k): What’s the difference?

IRAs and 401(k)s are retirement investment accounts. The main difference between an IRA and a 401(k) is that a 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account, and an IRA is an individual retirement account that you open directly with a bank or brokerage. 

Each has valuable tax benefits and, if you are eligible, it’s possible to contribute to both an IRA and a 401(k) account to maximize your retirement income. 

What is an IRA

An IRA is an Individual Retirement Account that you open with a bank or broker. There are different types of IRA accounts, with the two most common being traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.

Traditional IRA: A traditional IRA lets you make pre-tax contributions to your account that will grow tax-deferred. This means your funds will be taxed only when you make a withdrawal at the then-current tax rate. Traditional IRAs are, therefore, best suited to people who expect to be in the same (or lower) tax bracket when they start making withdrawals.  

Roth IRA: A Roth IRA allows you to make contributions after tax. This means your money is already taxed when it is invested and is then allowed to grow tax-free. When you take qualified withdrawals (typically after age 59 ½), those distributions are also tax-free. Roth IRAs are typically good options for people who expect to be in a higher income bracket when they start making withdrawals because the money is likely to be taxed at a lower tax rate upfront.

What is a 401(k)?

A 401(k) is an employee-sponsored retirement account that some employers offer as part of an employment benefits package. Employees can contribute a portion of their paycheck to the account, and some employers may match contributions up to a certain limit.

401(k) contributions are pre-tax. This means you can lower your taxable income by the amount you contribute each year.  

Read more: Why You Should Join Your Employer’s 401(k) Plan

IRA vs 401(k): Key differences

	401(k)	Traditional IRA	Roth IRA
Eligibility	Must have an employer-sponsored program. Some employers have eligibility requirements such as a minimum of 1 year of employment before you can make contributions.	Anyone with earned income can open and contribute.	You must fall within set income limits and tax filing requirements. Contribution eligibility phases out as income increases past certain thresholds.
Employer match	Sometimes.	No.	No.
Contribution limit	$23,000 in 2024 ($30,500 for those age 50 or older).	$7,000 in 2024. (Age 50 or older can contribute an additional $1,000.)	$7,000 in 2024. (Age 50 or older can contribute an additional $1,000.)
Investment selection	Limited selection options, typically chosen by your employer.	Large investment selection.	Large investment selection.
Tax implications	Contributions are taken directly from your paycheck pre-tax and lower taxable income in the year they are made. Distributions in retirement are subject to income tax the year they are withdrawn.	Traditional IRAs can be funded with after-tax dollars or as tax-deductible contributions. Deductible contributions reduce taxable income the year they are made. Distributions in retirement are taxed as regular income.	Contributions are made after tax, with no immediate tax benefit. Qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
Tax penalties for early withdrawal	10% penalty tax if withdrawn before age 59 ½, with some exceptions.	10% penalty tax if withdrawn before age 59 ½, with some exceptions.	10% penalty tax if withdrawn before age 59 ½, with some exceptions.

IRA vs. 401(k) and taxes

Both IRAs and 401(k)s have tax benefits. Which one you choose to invest in will depend on your eligibility, income, and financial strategy. 

For instance, you can make contributions to 401(k)s and traditional IRAs pre-tax, making them tax deductible. The advantage here is that you can lower your taxable income for the year you made those investments. This also allows you to enjoy tax-deferred growth on those investments. If you expect to be in a lower income bracket when you retire (as most people are), this will allow you to withdraw those funds at a lower tax rate. 

On the other hand, you can make after-tax contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA. This doesn’t give you immediate tax benefits but does mean your retirement distributions (including any growth in your investments) are tax-free.

Don’t forget: As retirement savings accounts, contributions are intended to remain untouched until later in life. This means, in most cases, you cannot make withdrawals from either an IRA or 401(k) before age 59 ½ without incurring a 10% tax penalty from the IRS.

Diversifying your investments can deliver tax benefits now and in the future. ezTaxReturn helps you stay on top of your tax obligations so you can save smart for retirement.

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The articles and content published on this blog are provided for informational purposes only. The information presented is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, legal, financial, or professional advice. Readers are advised to seek appropriate professional guidance and conduct their own due diligence before making any decisions based on the information provided.