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Test your understanding of key 401(k) concepts with our quick quiz.
By
Donna LeValley
published
23 December 2025
in Features
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(Image credit: Getty Images)
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Your 401(k) is arguably the single most important tool for achieving long-term financial security, thanks to its powerful tax advantages and the potential for employer matching. This 10-question quiz is designed to test your knowledge on the core mechanisms of these accounts — from understanding pre-tax contributions and Roth benefits to grasping the concept of vesting.
And don't worry if you miss an answer; you can follow the links below the quiz to brush up on your knowledge.
More on 401(k)s, from the Kiplinger team:
- Average 401(k) Balance by Age
- You Could Be a 401(k) Millionaire. Here's How
- Roth 401(k) vs 401(k): Which Is Right for You?
- Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026
- Convert a Traditional 401(k) into a Roth 401(k): An Ideal Move for High Earners
- How to Protect Your 401(k) in a Down Market
- Nine Ways to Find Your Lost 401(k)
- New SECURE 2.0 Super 401(k) Catch-Up Contribution for Ages 60-63
- 401(k) Super Catch-Ups: Are They Right for You?
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Donna LeValleyRetirement WriterDonna joined Kiplinger as a personal finance writer in 2023. She spent more than a decade as the contributing editor of J.K.Lasser's Your Income Tax Guide and edited state specific legal treatises at ALM Media. She has shared her expertise as a guest on Bloomberg, CNN, Fox, NPR, CNBC and many other media outlets around the nation. She is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and the University at Buffalo.
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