Episodes
How to Fix a 401k Plan That's Too Expensive
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna tackle a problem many employees face but rarely talk about: a 401k plan with high fees that quietly erode retirement savings. They break down the real cost of a 1 percent fee over a career, explain how to read a fee disclosure to spot excessive charges, and walk through practical steps to push for a better plan—from talking to HR to advocating for a low-cost index fund lineup. They also touch on the role of fiduciary duty and the rise of fee…
Why Your 401k Plan Might Start Using AI for Investment Advice
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping the investment advice embedded in many 401k plans. With the SEC's 2020 advice exemption and the Department of Labor's 2024 rule, more plan sponsors are turning to AI-driven tools to deliver personalized guidance to participants. The hosts break down a concrete example: a hypothetical plan with $500 million in assets adopting an AI advisor that blends target-date funds with individual…
How 401k Plans Are Adding Student Loan Matching in 2026
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into the newest twist in 401k plan design: employer matching contributions for employees who are paying down student loans instead of saving for retirement. Using a mid-sized manufacturing firm as a case study, they explain how the SECURE 2.0 Act made this possible and walk through the mechanics of how these matches work. They also cover the eligibility rules, the tax implications, and the key numbers you need to know—like the 5 percent match threshold and…
How 401k Plans Are Adding Student Loan Matching in 2026
Student loan matching is one of the most talked-about 401k features of 2026, and this episode explains exactly how it works, who it helps, and what you need to know to take advantage. Lucas and Luna break down the SECURE 2.0 provision that lets employers match student loan payments with retirement contributions, using a concrete example of a 30-year-old earning $60,000 with $30,000 in student debt. They discuss how companies like Abbott and Intuit have led the way, why this feature can boost…
How 401k Plans Are Adding Lifetime Income in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the quiet shift inside employer retirement plans: the addition of lifetime income options. They discuss how insurers are partnering with plan sponsors to offer annuities within 401k plans, what the SECURE Act made possible, and how the guaranteed income landscape looks in August 2026. They break down the two main approaches — in-plan annuities and managed accounts with annuitization — and weigh the trade-offs for savers. They also…
How 401k Auto-Enrollment Is Changing in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how the SECURE 2.0 Act's auto-enrollment mandate is reshaping retirement plans in 2026. They discuss why automatic enrollment boosts participation rates, how default contribution rates are rising to 6 percent in some plans, and what this means for workers who might otherwise never start saving. They also touch on the trend of automatic escalation, where contributions increase annually, and the potential downsides of defaults, such as…
How 401k Plans Are Adding Emergency Savings Accounts for Spouses
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore a new trend in employer retirement plans: offering emergency savings accounts to spouses of employees. With the SECURE 2.0 Act allowing plans to add pension-linked emergency savings accounts (PLESAs) for participants, some employers are now extending these benefits to spouses, helping families build a financial cushion against unexpected expenses. The hosts discuss a real-world example of a large employer that introduced this feature…
The Hidden Cost of Cashing Out Your 401k When You Change Jobs
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna dig into a specific number: the roughly 30% of workers who cash out their 401k when they change jobs, and the real-dollar damage that does to long-term savings. They walk through a concrete example: a 30-year-old with $25,000 in a plan who switches jobs and cashes out. After taxes and the 10% early withdrawal penalty, they'd net around $17,500 — and if that money had stayed invested for 35 years at a 6% return, it could grow to over $190,000.…
How 401k Plans Are Adding Student Loan Matching in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the growing trend of student loan matching in 401k plans. As of 2026, more employers are using SECURE 2.0 provisions to match student loan payments with retirement contributions, helping employees tackle debt and save for retirement simultaneously. The hosts break down how the matching formula works, real-world examples from major companies, and the strategic considerations for employees, including the impact on vesting and catch-up…
How 401k Plans Are Adding Auto-Portability in 2026
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explain how auto-portability is changing the way small 401k balances are handled when you switch jobs. They walk through the problem of forgotten accounts, the rise of auto-portability networks, and what the Secure 2.0 Act means for your retirement savings. With a typical 401k balance under $5,000, many accounts are at risk of being cashed out or lost. Auto-portability automatically moves those balances into your new employer's plan or an IRA, helping you avoid…
How 401k Auto-Rollover Rules Are Changing in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna discuss the SECURE 2.0 Act's impact on 401k auto-rollover rules. They explain how small balance accounts under $1,000 are now automatically rolled into a Roth IRA, starting in 2026, and what that means for plan sponsors and participants. The hosts break down the three tiers of account balances — under $1,000, between $1,000 and $5,000, and above $5,000 — and highlight the new requirement for plans to create a 'lost and found' database for…
How Your 401k Match Can Help You Save for a Down Payment
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore a growing trend in employer retirement plans: using your 401k match to accelerate saving for a home down payment. With more employers offering down payment assistance through their 401k plans in 2026, the hosts break down how these programs work, the tax implications, and how they compare to traditional 401k loans and HSA strategies. They discuss real-world examples, including a hypothetical mid-career saver named Jordan, and walk…
How 401k Plans Are Adding Student Loan Matching in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna dive into the newest trend in employer retirement plans: student loan matching. With the SECURE 2.0 Act now in full swing, more employers are offering to match student loan payments with 401k contributions, helping employees tackle debt while still building retirement savings. Lucas walks through how the provision works, citing the example of a large tech firm that implemented it last year, and explains the tax implications and potential…
How Your 401k Plan Can Provide a Roth Option in 2026
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the growing trend of Roth 401(k) options, which allow employees to contribute after-tax dollars and enjoy tax-free withdrawals in retirement. With the SECURE Act 2.0 making Roth accounts more attractive, many employers are now offering this option for the first time. The hosts break down the key differences between traditional and Roth 401(k)s, explain how to decide which one is right for you based on your current tax bracket and expected retirement…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer a 401k Loan Alternative
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a growing trend in employer retirement plans: 401k loan alternatives, such as employer-sponsored emergency savings accounts and payroll-deducted personal loans. With statistics showing that over 30% of participants have an outstanding loan balance, they discuss why these alternatives are gaining traction and how they can help you avoid the double taxation trap and the risk of defaulting if you leave your job. The conversation centers on the SECURE 2.0…
How Your 401k Plan Is Switching From Mutual Funds to CITs
Episode 141 of The 401k Podcast examines the growing trend of 401k plans replacing traditional mutual funds with collective investment trusts (CITs). Lucas and Luna explain why plan sponsors are making the switch, how CITs differ from mutual funds, and what it means for participants' fees and returns. Using a real-world example of a $1 billion plan, they quantify the potential cost savings—often 10 to 30 percent in expense ratios—and discuss the trade-offs, including less regulatory disclosure…
How Your 401k Plan Can Enable a Mega Backdoor Roth in 2026
Episode 140 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo dives into the mega backdoor Roth strategy — a powerful way to supercharge retirement savings for those already maxing out their 401k. Lucas explains the mechanics: after-tax contributions beyond the $23,500 elective deferral limit, converted to Roth either in-plan or via rollover to a Roth IRA, allowing you to stash up to $70,000 total in 2026. Luna asks about the tax implications, the pro-rata rule, and why only about 50% of plans offer after-tax…
How Your 401k Plan's Match Formula Determines Your Best Contribution Strategy
Not all 401k matches are created equal. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the three most common matching formulas: per-paycheck matching, annual true-up matching, and lump-sum year-end matching. You'll learn how each formula changes the timing of your contributions and how to maximize your full employer match. Using a concrete example of an employee earning $80,000 with a 4% match, they show why front-loading can backfire under a per-paycheck formula and how a true-up provision saves…
The Double Taxation Trap in 401k Loans
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the hidden costs of borrowing from your 401k. Using a concrete example of a $10,000 loan at 7% interest, they break down how double taxation works: you repay the loan with after-tax dollars, then pay income tax on the same money again in retirement. They also discuss the risks of default when changing jobs, the typical loan terms (up to $50,000 or half your vested balance, repaid within five years), and alternatives like personal loans…
How Your 401k Plan Can Match HSA Contributions
Health savings accounts already offer triple tax advantages, but now some 401k plans let you earn an employer match on HSA contributions. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down how the feature works, what 8% of plans are now offering in 2026, and how a typical employee could pocket an extra $500 in healthcare savings. They also discuss the catch: you need a high-deductible health plan and the match may count against your 401k match cap. A tax-smart strategy for retirement healthcare costs.…
Why More Employers Are Switching to Safe Harbor 401k Plans in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the growing trend of employers adopting safe harbor 401k plans. As of mid-2026, nearly two-thirds of plans use a safe harbor design, up significantly from a few years ago. They break down what safe harbor means for your match vesting, automatic enrollment, and whether you might lose out on employer contributions if you leave early. Plus, a look at how SECURE 2.0's new two-year cliff vesting option is making safe harbor more attractive…
Your 401k Plan May Offer Guaranteed Income in 2026
As of mid-2026, nearly 40% of large 401k plans now include some form of guaranteed lifetime income option, up from under 20% three years ago. This episode breaks down what these options look like—from target-date funds with built-in annuities to standalone in-plan annuities—and what they mean for your retirement. We discuss the SECURE 2.0 Act provisions that made these options more common, including the safe harbor for plan sponsors and the increased cap on QLACs (Qualified Longevity Annuity…
How Your 401k Plan's Catch-Up Contributions Are Changing in 2026
Starting in 2026, catch-up contributions to 401k plans must be made as Roth contributions for participants earning over $145,000. This episode explains the new rule under SECURE 2.0, who it affects, how plans are adapting, and strategies for employees to navigate the change. Lucas and Luna break down the numbers, the practical implications, and what this means for your retirement savings strategy. #401k #CatchUpContributions #Roth #SECURE2.0 #Retirement #Finance #BusinessPodcast…
How Your 401k Plan Fees Impact Your Retirement Savings
In this episode of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna break down the often-overlooked fees in your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Using the latest fee disclosure rules under ERISA 408(b)(2), they explain how even a 1% annual fee can slash your nest egg by nearly 30% over a career. Learn what the average 401k plan charges, how to read your fee disclosure statement, and why institutional share classes can save you thousands. Plus, a quick look at how the 2026 fee transparency…
How to Use a Self-Directed Brokerage Window in Your 401k
Many 401k plans offer a self-directed brokerage account (SDBA) that allows participants to invest beyond the standard menu of mutual funds. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how SDBAs work, the fees involved, and who might benefit from using one. They also discuss a Fidelity study showing only about 2% of participants currently use SDBAs, and examine the SEC's proposed rule on fiduciary advice for brokerage windows. If you've ever wondered whether you should buy individual stocks inside…
How Your 401k Vesting Schedule Affects Your Match
Many 401(k) participants focus on the match percentage but overlook the vesting schedule — the timeline that determines when employer contributions actually become yours. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down graded versus cliff vesting, share data from Vanguard's 2025 report showing that one in four workers left their job before their match was fully vested, leaving an average of $3,400 on the table, and explain how SECURE Act 2.0 shortened maximum vesting periods for employer matches.…
How Your 401k Plan Can Add an Emergency Savings Account in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the SECURE 2.0 provision that allows 401k plans to offer a linked emergency savings account, or ESA. They walk through how the account works, why Congress created it, and what it means for employees who worry about raiding their retirement funds for a sudden expense. Lucas explains the $2,500 cap, the matching implications, and the opt-out risk. Luna shares a real-world example of how even a $500 emergency can derail savings momentum.…
How Your 401k Plan Can Use Target-Date Funds for Automatic Rebalancing
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explain how target-date funds work in employer retirement plans, focusing on their automatic rebalancing and asset allocation glide path. Using a concrete example of a 35-year-old investor, they walk through how a 2055 target-date fund shifts from 90% stocks to 50% stocks by retirement, and how that changes risk levels. They also discuss the debate over fees vs convenience, and why some plans offer custom target-date series that blend passive…
How Auto-Escalation Can Double Your 401k Savings by 2030
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore how auto-escalation features in 401k plans can dramatically boost retirement savings without requiring active decisions from employees. They break down the mechanics of annual contribution increases, the impact of starting at a 3% default and escalating by 1% per year, and how a 25-year-old earning $50,000 could see their savings grow by over $200,000 by age 65. They also discuss the latest data from Vanguard showing that 78% of plans…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer Student Loan Matching for Adoption Expenses
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore a new 2026 plan design: using 401k matching contributions to support adoption expenses. They discuss how employers can structure matching contributions tied to qualified adoption costs, the tax implications, and the potential to help employees build retirement savings while growing their families. The conversation covers the SECURE 2.0 framework, practical considerations for plan sponsors, and how this fits into broader workplace…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer Matching for Electric Vehicle Purchases
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, hosts Lucas and Luna explore a new trend in employer retirement plans: matching contributions for employees who purchase electric vehicles. They discuss how companies like Google and Salesforce have implemented EV matching as part of their sustainability benefits, the mechanics of how it works within IRS limits, and the tax implications for employees. Lucas breaks down a specific example: a $10,000 EV purchase triggering a $2,000 matching contribution, and…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer Matching for Adoption Expenses
Episode 125 of The 401k Podcast breaks down a little-known provision in the SECURE 2.0 Act: employers can now match employee contributions specifically earmarked for adoption expenses. Lucas and Luna explain how this works, who qualifies, and what it means for your long-term retirement savings. They walk through a real example from a mid-sized tech firm that implemented adoption matching in early 2026, covering eligibility rules, tax implications, and why this is a big deal for financial…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer Matching for Pet Care Expenses
A new IRS private letter ruling in 2026 allows 401k plans to offer matching contributions for pet care expenses. Lucas and Luna break down how this works, why it matters for employees with pet-related costs, and what it means for the future of benefits. They discuss the ruling's specifics, including eligible expenses like veterinary bills and pet insurance, and compare it to existing matching for student loans and child care. The episode also covers potential employer adoption challenges and…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer Student Loan Matching for Roth Contributions in 2026
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how a growing number of employers are expanding their 401k matching programs to include student loan payments directed into Roth accounts. They break down the tax implications, the impact of the SECURE 2.0 Act, and how this strategy helps employees build retirement savings while paying down debt. A concrete look at a 2026 trend that changes the math for early-career workers. #401k #StudentLoanMatching #RothContributions #SECURE2_0 #RetirementSavings…
How Your 401k Plan Can Use Auto-Portability to Prevent Leakage in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna dive into auto-portability, a feature that automatically moves a former employee's 401k balance to their new employer's plan when the balance is under $5,000. They explain how this prevents 'leakage'—the premature withdrawal of retirement savings—and why the Retirement Clearing House and the Portability Services Network are making this more common. The hosts discuss the SECURE 2.0 Act's role, the rule of thumb for deciding whether to roll over…
Your 401k May Offer Automatic Roth In-Plan Conversions
Episode 121 dives into a lesser-known 401k feature: automatic in-plan Roth rollovers (also called automatic Roth conversions). Lucas explains how some plans now allow participants to convert pre-tax 401k contributions to Roth after-tax within the plan—automatically, as contributions hit. The hosts discuss the tax implications (you owe income tax on the converted amount), the beneficiary for high earners who expect higher future tax rates, and why Vanguard and Fidelity have started offering the…
How Your 401k Plan Can Use Auto-Escalation to Boost Savings
In Episode 120 of The 401k Podcast, hosts Lucas and Luna explore auto-escalation, the feature that automatically increases your 401k contribution rate each year. They explain how it works, why it's effective at overcoming inertia, and share data from Vanguard showing that plans with auto-escalation see average contribution rates rise from 6% to over 10% within a few years. Lucas also covers the SECURE 2.0 Act's requirement for new plans to include auto-escalation up to 15% by 2026, and how…
How Your 401k Plan Can Match Roth Contributions for Emergency Savings in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore a new 401k feature allowed under SECURE 2.0: employer matching contributions directed to Roth accounts for employee emergency savings. They break down how the provision works, why it matters for workers building short-term reserves, and key implementation nuances like vesting and tax treatment. The discussion uses a concrete example of a plan adopting a 2% emergency-savings match, explaining the mechanics and potential pitfalls. The…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer Student Loan Matching for Roth Contributions
In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the latest SECURE 2.0 provision hitting 401k plans in mid-2026: allowing employers to match student loan payments with Roth contributions. They walk through how it works, why it's different from the 2024 student loan match rules, and what employees need to know to opt in. Using real plan data from Fidelity's 2026 mid-year report, they show how early adopters like Microsoft and Bank of America are structuring the match. The hosts also cover the tax…
How Your 401k Plan Can Match Roth Contributions for Child Care
Episode 117 of The 401k Podcast explores a little-known provision under SECURE 2.0: employer matching contributions on a Roth basis for employees who incur child care expenses. Lucas and Luna break down the mechanics, using the example of a hypothetical employee earning $60,000 per year with $5,000 in qualifying child care costs. They explain how the match works, who qualifies, the tax implications, and why only about 8% of plans currently offer this feature as of mid-2026. The hosts also…
Why Your 401k Match Might Be Delayed Until Year-End
Many workers expect every 401k contribution to be matched immediately. But a growing number of employers use a 'true-up' matching formula that delays the full match until year-end. In this episode, Lucas and Luna unpack how true-up matching actually works, why companies use it, and what happens if you leave mid-year. They walk through a concrete example: Sarah, earning $80,000, whose employer matches 100% on the first 5% of salary — but only after she completes the plan year. If Sarah maxes out…
Your 401k Plan May Offer Matching for Student Loan Payments in 2026
In Episode 115 of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna break down how SECURE 2.0's student loan matching provision works in practice as of July 2026. They explain the mechanics: employees who make student loan payments can still receive employer matching contributions in their 401k, even if they don't contribute themselves. They walk through a concrete example using a $60,000 salary and a $500 monthly loan payment, showing how a 5% match yields an extra $3,000 in retirement savings per year. They…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer a Roth Match for Student Loan Payments in 2026
The SECURE 2.0 Act has opened the door for employers to pair student loan payments with matching contributions, including Roth matches. In this episode, Lucas and Luna walk through how the provision started in 2024, expanded in 2026, and what it means for employees who are prioritizing loan repayment over retirement savings. They discuss real-world adoption numbers, tax implications, and why the Roth match structure could be a game-changer for younger workers. Includes listener questions about…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer Matching for Child Care Expenses in 2026
In episode 113 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a new SECURE 2.0 provision that lets employers match employee 401k contributions based on child care expenses. They walk through how the matching works, who qualifies, and why it matters for working parents. Using a concrete example of a $5,000 child care expense at a company with a 50% match rate, they show how an employee could get an extra $2,500 in retirement savings without increasing their own deferral. They also…
How Your 401k Plan Uses Auto-Portability to Prevent Leakage
Episode 112 of The 401k Podcast explores auto-portability — a quietly transformative feature that automatically moves your 401k balance when you change jobs, preventing cash-outs and preserving retirement savings. Lucas and Luna break down how it works, the data on leakage, and why more plans are adopting it in 2026. They cite a 2023 study from the Employee Benefit Research Institute showing that 41% of job-changers cash out balances under $5,000, and explain how auto-portability cuts that to…
How Your 401k Plan Can Match Roth Contributions for Student Loan Payments in 2026
Episode 111 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo explores a specific SECURE 2.0 provision: 401k plans can now match Roth contributions made by employees who are paying off student loans. Lucas and Luna break down how the matching works, why the IRS clarified the rules in early 2026, and what it means for a typical borrower earning $60,000 a year. They walk through an example: a 28-year-old paying $400 monthly on student loans who opts into the Roth match, potentially gaining $1,200 in employer…
How Catch-Up Contributions Work in 2026
In this episode of The 401k Podcast, Lucas and Luna break down the catch-up contribution rules for 2026, focusing on the SECURE 2.0 changes that require high-earners to use Roth for catch-ups. They explain the standard age-50 catch-up and the new age-60-to-63 super catch-up, using a concrete example of a $75,000 earner versus a $150,000 earner. The conversation covers how plan administrators determine eligibility, the impact on take-home pay, and why the Roth requirement might increase tax…
How Your 401k Plan Can Offer a Roth Match for Emergency Savings
Episode 109 of The 401k Podcast explores a new provision under the SECURE 2.0 Act: Roth matching contributions directed into an emergency savings account within your 401k plan. Lucas and Luna break down how this works, who qualifies, and the tax implications. They walk through a concrete example: a worker earning $60,000 a year who contributes 3% to their plan and receives a 50% match up to 3% of pay. Instead of the match going into a pre-tax account, it goes into a Roth emergency savings…
How Your 401k Plan Can Now Match Roth After-Tax Contributions
Episode 108 of The 401k Podcast explores the latest SECURE 2.0 provision allowing employers to match contributions directly into a Roth 401k account. Lucas and Luna break down how this changes the traditional matching model—where matches had to go pre-tax—and discuss who benefits most. They walk through a concrete example: a worker earning $75,000 who contributes 6% to a Roth 401k and receives a 4% match, now all tax-free at withdrawal. The episode covers the IRS ruling effective in 2026, the…
Your 401k Plan May Offer a Roth Match for Emergency Savings
Episode 107 of The 401k Podcast with Fexingo explores a new retirement plan feature: Roth matching for emergency savings accounts. Lucas and Luna break down how SECURE 2.0 allows employers to offer a Roth match on contributions to a sidecar emergency account within a 401k. They discuss the mechanics, the potential tax benefits, and real-world adoption trends as of mid-2026. The episode covers why this matters for workers who worry about depleting retirement savings for unexpected expenses, and…
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