A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan that many employers offer their employees. Money goes into your 401(k) account directly from your paycheck, often before taxes are taken out, and you choose how that money is invested. Understanding how your 401(k) works—from how much you can contribute each year to what happens to your money when you leave a job—helps you make decisions about your retirement savings.

These articles answer common questions about 401(k) plans: how contributions work, what employer matching means, how to handle your account when you change jobs, what the rules are around withdrawals, and what taxes you'll owe when you take money out. Whether you're just starting to use your employer's plan or trying to understand a feature you've never used, you'll find straightforward explanations here.