Banking & Savings, Insights

Principal Financial 401(k) - Reviews, Benefits, Fees & Ratings

flik eco finance personal principal financial 401k review

Do you want to save for retirement? If so, a 401(k) plan may be the right option for you. Principal Financial is one of the leading providers of 401(k) plans in the United States.

In this article, we will take a closer look at their 401(k) plans and explore the benefits, fees, and ratings associated with them. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right plan for your needs!

What is a Principal Financial 401(k)?

A Principal Financial 401(k) is a retirement savings plan offered by the financial services company Principal. It allows employees to save and invest for their future with tax-deferred growth potential.

How Does a Principal Financial 401(k) Work?

A Principal Financial 401(k) works by employees contributing a portion of their paycheck into the account. The employer may also contribute to the account. The funds in the 401(k) grow tax-deferred and can be used in retirement.

What Are The Key Features of a Principal Financial 401(k)?

Here are some of the key features of a Principal Financial 401(k):

  • A wide range of investment options. You can choose from a variety of different investments, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
  • A high level of customization. You can tailor your 401(k) to your specific goals and risk tolerance.
  • A team of experienced professionals. You'll have access to a team of financial experts who can help you make the most of your 401(k).

What Commissions and Management Fees Does a Principal Financial 401(k) Come With?

Principal Financial 401(k) comes with both management fees and commissions. The management fees are going to be assessed by the company that is managing your account on an ongoing basis. These fees can range from 0.25% to as high as 0.50% of the total value of your account annually.

Meanwhile, the commission fees are going to be charged by the company that sold you the 401(k) in the first place. These fees can range from $0 to $495, but are typically around $250.

What Are The Advantages of a Principal Financial 401(k)?

When it comes to saving for retirement, a 401(k) plan is one of the most popular options. And for good reason - 401(k)s offer a number of advantages that other investment vehicles simply can't match.

For starters, 401(k)s enjoy some pretty significant tax breaks. Contributions to a 401(k) are made with pre-tax dollars, which means you get to deduct them from your taxable income. That lowers your tax bill for the year, and it can also put you in a lower tax bracket for the future.

In addition, the money in your 401(k) grows tax-deferred. That means you won't have to pay taxes on any of the investment gains until you retire and start taking withdrawals. And since 401(k)s typically invest in stocks and other growth-oriented assets, there's a good chance that your account will be worth quite a bit more when you retire than it is today.

What Are The Disadvantages of a Principal Financial 401(k)?

The fees associated with a Principal Financial 401(k) can be high, and the investment options may not be as diverse as some other providers.

Additionally, the customer service and support offered by Principal Financial can be lacking at times. However, if you are looking for a solid provider with a good reputation, Principal Financial is definitely worth considering.

What Are Some Alternatives to a Principal Financial 401(k)?

There are a number of alternatives to a Principal Financial 401(k).

Roth IRA

You could consider investing in a Roth IRA. With a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax dollars to your account. This means that you won't get a tax deduction for your contributions, but your withdrawals will be tax-free in retirement.

Traditional IRA

Another alternative to a Principal Financial 401(k) is a traditional IRA. With a traditional IRA, you get a tax deduction for your contributions. However, your withdrawals in retirement will be taxed as ordinary income.

Taxable Brokerage Account

Finally, you could also consider investing in a taxable brokerage account. With this type of account, you won't get any tax breaks for your contributions. However, you'll be able to withdraw your money at any time without paying any taxes.

How Do You Open a Principal Financial 401(k)?

To open a Principal Financial 401(k), you'll need to be employed by a company that offers the plan. If you're not sure if your employer offers the plan, you can contact Principal Financial directly.

Once you're sure your employer offers the plan, you can sign up for it through your employer's benefits portal or website. If you have any trouble signing up for the plan, you can contact Principal Financial's customer service team for help.

Once you're signed up for the plan, you can start contributing to it right away. You can choose how much you want to contribute and how often you want to contribute. You can also change your contribution amount at any time.

What is The Minimum Amount Required to Open a Principal Financial 401(k)?

The Principal Financial Group requires a minimum $30 investment to open a 401(k) account. This is a relatively low amount when compared to other providers, making Principal Financial an accessible option for those just starting out in their retirement savings journey.

What Are The Principal Financial 401(k) Contribution Limits?

The Principal Financial 401(k) contribution limits are pretty simple. You can contribute up to $18,000 per year, and if you're over the age of 50, you can contribute an additional $6000 per year. That means that the maximum amount you can contribute to your 401(k) is $24,000 per year.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements for a Principal Financial 401(k)?

To be eligible for a Principal Financial 401(k), you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have worked for your employer for at least one year
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien

If you meet these requirements, you can enroll in a Principal Financial 401(k) by completing a enrollment form and signing up for payroll deductions.

Do You Pay Taxes On a Principal Financial 401(k)?

No, you do not pay taxes on a Principal Financial 401(k). This is because the money that you contribute to your 401(k) is deducted from your paycheck before taxes are taken out.

So, if you contribute $100 to your 401(k), your taxable income will be reduced by $100. When you retire and start taking withdrawals from your 401(k), the money that you withdraw will be taxed as ordinary income.

When Can You Withdraw Money From a Principal Financial 401(k)?

To avoid penalties, you must wait until you're at least 59.½ to withdraw money from your Principal Financial 401(k). However, if you leave your job before you reach that age, you may be subject to an early withdrawal penalty of up to 20%.

How Does a Principal Financial 401(k) Compare to a 401K?

When it comes to 401(k)s, there are a lot of options out there. So how does a Principal Financial 401(k) compare to other providers?

Well, for starters, Principal Financial is one of the largest 401(k) providers in the United States. They have over $200 billion in assets under management, which is more than any other provider.

When it comes to fees, Principal Financial is middle of the road. They don’t have the lowest fees, but they also don’t have the highest.

And when it comes to investment options, Principal Financial offers a good mix of both traditional and alternative investments.

What Assets Are Available With a Principal Financial 401(k)?

The Principal Financial 401(k) offers a wide variety of assets, including:

  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • Mutual Funds
  • ETFs (exchange-traded funds)

Why Do People Use a Principal Financial 401(k)?

There are a few reasons why people use Principal Financial 401(k)s. The first reason is that they offer great tax advantages. With a traditional 401(k), you get to contribute pre-tax dollars, which reduces your overall taxable income. This can be a big benefit come tax time.

Another reason people use Principal Financial 401(k)s is because they offer employer matching contributions. This means that if your employer offers to match a certain percentage of your contribution, you can get free money just by contributing to your 401(k). And who doesn’t love free money?

The last reason people use Principal Financial 401(k)s is because they offer a wide variety of investment options. This can be a great benefit if you want to diversify your portfolio and have different types of investments working for you.

Does a Principal Financial 401(k) Accept Rollovers?

Yes, a Principal Financial 401(k) does accept rollovers from other retirement accounts. If you're looking to move your money from one account to another, this could be a good option for you.

How Long Does It Take to Transfer to a Principal Financial 401(k)?

The process of transferring your 401(k) to a new provider can be daunting, but it's important to do your research to find the best fit for you. When you're considering a transfer, one of the first questions you'll likely have is "how long will this take?"

The answer to that question depends on a few factors, but the good news is that the process can be relatively quick and easy if you're prepared.

How Do You Put Money Into a Principal Financial 401(k)?

There are a few different ways you can put money into your Principal Financial 401(k). The most common way is through payroll deductions from your employer. However, you can also make catch-up contributions if you're over the age of 50 or make after-tax contributions if you'd like.

Can You Open a Principal Financial 401(k) For a Child?

A lot of people ask me if they can open a Principal Financial 401(k) for their kids. The answer is yes! You can open a Principal Financial 401(k) for your children as long as they have an income.

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About Jermaine Hagan (The Plantsman)

Jermaine Hagan, also known as The Plantsman is the Founder of Flik Eco. Jermaine is the perfect hybrid of personal finance expert and nemophilist. On a mission to make personal finance simple and accessible, Jermaine uses his inside knowledge to help the average Joe, Kwame or Sarah to improve their lives. Before founding Flik Eco, Jermaine managed teams across several large financial companies, including Equifax, Admiral Plc, New Wave Capital & HSBC. He has been featured in several large publications including BBC, The Guardian & The Times.

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