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Old 01-18-2012 | 07:33 PM
  #86072  
Columbia
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Originally Posted by LeineLodge
I should mention also that we have a Roth option for "employee" contributions. We keep saying "pre-tax contributions" but you can also make post-tax contributions into your DPSP subject to the same limits I referred to above.

The big difference is when you withdraw your money, you won't owe any taxes as it's paid upfront. If you can work it into your budget this can be a really good way to go, if you think your personal tax rate will be higher when you retire than it is now.

I keep swearing every year that I will switch over to making Roth contributions instead of pre-tax, but I can't seem to make myself bite the bullet and pay the taxes now. I'm just kicking the can down the road, and will probably pay the price for it later.
In figuring Roth contributions, you should also take a guess at where overall tax rates will be in 30 years. If you think they'll do nothing but go up, then Roth makes more and more sense. Most think tax rates won't be going down.
Imagine having to pay taxes at a 5% rate (versus 30% or 50%) in retirement!