401(k) Retirement Savings
At Western Digital, we are dedicated to promoting your financial stability not just for today, but also for the future. Our 401(k) Plan provides a simple, tax-advantaged approach to saving for your retirement and securing your long term financial needs.
Manage Your Account
Visit Empower Retirement to enroll or manage your account:
- Enroll in the plan
- Check your balance
- Change your contribution rates (base and bonus)
- Manage your investments
- Update your beneficiary
- Use planning tools and calculators
- Access forms and documents
What if I Don't Enroll?
You are immediately eligible upon your date of hire. If you don’t take any enrollment action — either enrolling yourself or opting out — within 30 days of becoming eligible, you will be automatically enrolled at 6% of your eligible pre-tax salary and 6% of your pre-tax bonus pay.
You will be invested in the Target Date Fund that most closely matches your retirement date, based on an assumed retirement age of 65. You may change your contribution rate and investment elections at any time by calling Empower Retirement at (888) 401-5932 or you can make changes to your account online at Empower Retirement.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Empower Retirement — Access tools and education on your plan website to help you make informed investment decisions.
1
Your Contributions
You may contribute between 1% and 85% of your eligible pay to your plan account, up to annual IRS limits, including pre-tax and Roth contributions. In 2024, the IRS limits allow you to contribute up to:
- $23,000 if you are under age 50
- $30,500 if you’re age 50 or older this year (which includes an additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions).
These limits include your pre-tax contributions, Roth after-tax contributions, or a combination of both.
You also have the option of contributing to the plan with non-Roth after-tax money, up to 10% of your eligible pay, limited to $34,500 in 2024.
For more information about plan limits, visit Connect.
Company Contributions
Western Digital has reinstated the 401(k) company match. Your pre-tax and Roth combined contributions will be matched at 50% of your first 6% in contributions, (subject to an IRS limit of $10,350 for 2024):
Example
• Eligible Biweekly Earnings: $2,000
• Maximum match is 50% of 6% of earnings: $2,000 x 50% x 6% = $60 biweekly
The first regular pay date that Company match was applied was on January 5, 2024.
The Western Digital plan provides a true-up match at year end. A true-up calculation ensures employees receive their full match of 50% of their first 6% of contributions. A true-up may be applied if an employee varied their contributions throughout the year and did not receive their full company match, or if they met the annual contribution limit before the year ended and were no longer able to contribute.
Our 401(k) Plan offers multiple ways to save for retirement. You have the option to contribute pre-tax, post-tax with Roth after-tax contributions, or a combination of both.
Pre-Tax Contributions
Pre-tax contributions are deducted from your paycheck before taxes, allowing you to keep more of your take-home pay. However, you will have to pay taxes on both your contributions and earnings when you withdraw your money during retirement, potentially at a lower tax rate.
Roth After-Tax Contributions
The money is deposited into your Plan account after taxes are withheld.Although you pay taxes upfront, both your contributions and earnings can be withdrawn tax-free, provided that you meet two requirements:
- A minimum of five years have elapsed since your first Roth contribution
- You are at least 59½ years old or the withdrawal follows death or total disability.
If you are 50 years of age or older this year, you can take advantage of the opportunity to make up for lost time by contributing up to an additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions.
You don't have to make a separate election to make catch-up contributions. The payroll system will continue to deduct your 401(k) contributions up to the $30,500 limit for 2024 based on your age, as long as you don't stop your election(s). You can check your Empower Retirement account to see what percentage of your salary you are deferring.
Designating a beneficiary is crucial in ensuring that your Western Digital Corporation 401(k) Plan account is given to the appropriate person in case of your untimely death. As life situations may change, it's important to keep this information updated. You can log in to your Empower Retirement account to add or modify your beneficiary information.
Vesting refers to the amount of money that belongs to you and can be kept by you if you leave the company. You are fully vested in your own contributions, including any investment gains or losses.
All active employees are eligible for immediate vesting of the company match in the 401(k) Plan.
The money in your account is intended as a long-term investment to help you prepare for your financial needs in retirement. However, under certain circumstances, you may be able to access money from your account before reaching retirement age.
Think Before You Act
- Before taking a withdrawal or loan from your plan account, it's crucial to consider the impact it may have on your financial future. Doing so may help you avoid unintended consequences that could hurt your long-term financial goals.
- Taking money from your account now may result in a smaller savings balance when you retire. Moreover, repaying the loan may put additional strain on your finances, making it even harder to get back on track.
- If you take a plan loan, you'll lose more money to taxes. This is because the interest payments on your loan are made with after-tax money, and the amount will be taxed again when withdrawn from your account.
- If you withdraw pre-tax money from your plan account, you may have to pay an additional 10% penalty tax if you're under 59½ years old. This is in addition to paying current taxes on the money you borrowed. It is essential to carefully weigh the consequences before making any withdrawals or loans from your plan account.
For more information, visit Empower Retirement or call 888-401k-WDC (401-5932)