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Beyond the 401k Cap: Advanced Retirement Tactics for American Airlines Group Employees

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for American Airlines Group American Airlines Group primarily offers health insurance benefits through various large national insurers, including Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. This ensures coverage for their employees across a variety of healthcare needs. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 Healthcare costs for American Airlines Group are poised to intensify in 2026, largely driven by record increases in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums. Insurers exhibit a strong trend of escalating rates, with anticipated hikes averaging around 18%, and in some regions, exceeding 60%. The looming expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies is a significant factor, as it may push out-of-pocket premiums for many employees up by over 75%. Consequently, the financial strain of rising medical costs and decreased subsidy support could severely impact both employees' budgets and the employer's approach to providing competitive benefits. Click here to learn more

'By leveraging health savings accounts, Roth conversion pathways, annuities, and intentional asset location, American Airlines Group employees can reduce their lifetime tax burden and establish a diversified suite of retirement income sources.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'By thoughtfully combining health savings accounts, Roth conversion strategies, and strategic asset placement, American Airlines Group employees can optimize tax efficiency and bolster their retirement income flexibility.' – Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

  1. Leveraging Health Savings Accounts and tax-advantaged rollovers to extend retirement savings.

  2. Advanced Roth strategies (backdoor and mega backdoor) for high-income earners.

  3. Using annuities and tax-efficient brokerage techniques to diversify and preserve assets.

High-Income Earners’ Advanced Retirement Savings Strategies

Retirement planning presents unique opportunities and challenges for American Airlines Group employees who have reached the IRS limit on 401k contributions or whose income prevents direct Roth IRA funding. To build on strong saving habits and substantial assets, it help to understand alternative techniques that extend tax-advantaged growth beyond traditional workplace plans.

1. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as a Long-Term Investment Vehicle

Health Savings Accounts offer a remarkable “triple tax advantage”: contributions reduce taxable income, investment growth is tax-free, and qualified medical withdrawals remain untaxed, making HSAs one of the most efficient savings tools available. American Airlines Group employees enrolled in a high-deductible health plan can contribute up to the 2025 IRS caps—$4,300 for self-only coverage and $8,550 for family coverage, plus a $1,000 catch-up for those 55 and older. 1  Non-medical withdrawals after age 65 incur ordinary income tax (but no penalty), enhancing flexibility, while premature non-qualified distributions face a 20% penalty, underscoring the need for disciplined planning.

2. The Backdoor Roth IRA: Unlocking Tax-Free Growth

Although direct Roth IRA contributions phase out at higher incomes, American Airlines Group employees can still tap a backdoor Roth IRA by making a non-deductible contribution to a traditional IRA and immediately converting to a Roth. 2  The IRS’s pro-rata aggregation rules require careful calculation when you hold other traditional IRAs, as conversions consider the aggregate pre- and after-tax balances, potentially triggering tax liabilities. Given the IRA contribution limit of $7,000 ($8,000 for those age 50 and above), working with a financial advisor can help facilitate smooth execution and manage potential tax on conversions.

3. The Mega Backdoor Roth: Supercharging Roth Savings

For those with eligible employer plans, the “mega backdoor Roth” 3  can significantly boost Roth balances by contributing after-tax dollars above standard 401k limits and then rolling them into a Roth IRA or Roth 401k via in-service distributions. With 2025 combined employee/employer contribution caps of $70,000 (or $77,500 including catch-ups), 4  this strategy can create substantial additional tax-free retirement income. Because only about 20% of plans offer the necessary features, confirm with HR whether your American Airlines Group plan supports after-tax contributions and in-service rollovers, and coordinate with advisors to optimize timing and tax efficiency.


4. Tax-Deferred Annuities to Extend Tax-Advantaged Savings

When you’ve exhausted IRAs and employer plans, tax-deferred annuities provide another avenue to shelter earnings from current taxation. Fixed annuities offer a stable interest rate, while variable annuities invest in market-linked subaccounts—allowing reallocation without immediate tax events. 5  Although earnings and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and early withdrawals before age 59½ may incur a 10% penalty, annuities can include income commitments or death benefits. Before adding an annuity, American Airlines Group employees should evaluate fees, investment options, and the insurer’s strength to confirm alignment with overall retirement goals.

5. Tax-Efficient Techniques in Brokerage Accounts

In addition to having no contribution limits, taxable accounts offer considerable flexibility and asset choice. American Airlines Group employees can enhance after-tax returns by favoring low-turnover ETFs for tax efficiency, selecting tax-managed mutual funds, and using separately managed accounts (SMAs) for bespoke strategies like tax-loss harvesting. Strategic asset location—placing tax-inefficient bonds in IRAs/401ks and tax-efficient equities or municipal bonds in brokerage—can further reduce annual tax drag. 6  According to Vanguard, disciplined asset placement can boost after-tax wealth by up to 0.30% per year, 7  demonstrating the value of meticulous tax management.

Conclusion

After reaching the contribution limit on your American Airlines Group 401k, advanced tactics such as HSAs, backdoor and mega backdoor Roth IRAs, tax-deferred annuities, and tax-efficient brokerage strategies allow high-income earners to diversify retirement income sources and mitigate lifetime taxes. Staying informed on IRS rules—like the SECURE 2.0 Act’s changes—and using tools such as Qualified Charitable Distributions can further help manage required distributions and Medicare implications. Proactive planning and professional guidance help make every dollar saved work harder for your retirement goals.

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Sources:

1. Internal Revenue Service. ' Revenue Proclamation 2024-25 .' Accessed 31 July 2025.

2. Fidelity Investments. “ Backdoor Roth IRA: Is It Right for You? ” Fidelity Viewpoints, 19 Dec. 2024. Accessed 13 July 2025.

3. MarketWatch. “ This Roth Strategy Lets Elite Savers Stash $70,000 in Their 401(k) in 2025 ,” by Vanessa Wong, 20 Nov. 2024. Accessed 13 July 2025.

4. IRS. ' 401(k) limit increases to $#23,500 for 2025, IRA limit remains $7,000 ,' 1 Nov. 2024. Accessed 31 July 2025.

5. Investopedia. “ Annuities Taxation Explained: What You Need to Know Before Investing ,” by The Investopedia Team, 15 June 2024. Accessed 13 July 2025.

6. Charles Schwab. “ How Asset Location Can Help Save on Taxes ,” by Hayden Adams, 11 Oct. 2024. Accessed 13 July 2025.

7. Vaguard. ' Asset location can lead to lower taxes. Here's how to get more value, ' 16 Aug. 2024. Accessed 31 July 2025.

What is the 401(k) plan offered by American Airlines Group?

The 401(k) plan offered by American Airlines Group is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.

How can I enroll in the 401(k) plan at American Airlines Group?

You can enroll in the 401(k) plan at American Airlines Group by accessing the employee benefits portal and following the enrollment instructions provided.

Does American Airlines Group offer matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, American Airlines Group offers matching contributions to the 401(k) plan, helping employees maximize their retirement savings.

What is the vesting schedule for the 401(k) matching contributions at American Airlines Group?

The vesting schedule for matching contributions at American Airlines Group typically follows a graded vesting schedule, which means you gain ownership of the employer contributions over a period of time.

Can I change my contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan at American Airlines Group?

Yes, you can change your contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan at American Airlines Group at any time through the employee benefits portal.

What investment options are available in the American Airlines Group 401(k) plan?

The American Airlines Group 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to suit different risk tolerances.

Is there a loan option available through the 401(k) plan at American Airlines Group?

Yes, American Airlines Group allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to certain terms and conditions.

What happens to my 401(k) plan if I leave American Airlines Group?

If you leave American Airlines Group, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash it out, or leave it in the plan if allowed.

At what age can I start withdrawing from my 401(k) plan at American Airlines Group without penalties?

You can start withdrawing from your 401(k) plan at American Airlines Group without penalties at age 59½, provided you meet other plan requirements.

Does American Airlines Group offer financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?

Yes, American Airlines Group provides financial education resources, including workshops and online tools, to help employees understand their 401(k) plan options.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
American Airlines offers both a defined benefit pension plan and a defined contribution 401(k) plan. The defined benefit plan includes a cash balance component, where benefits grow based on years of service and compensation, with interest credits added annually. The 401(k) plan features company matching contributions and various investment options such as target-date funds and mutual funds. American Airlines also provides financial planning resources and tools to help employees manage their retirement savings.
American Airlines offers a 401(k) plan with up to a 5.5% employer match and comprehensive healthcare benefits. The company announced the layoff of 656 employees in its customer support department as part of a reorganization.
American Airlines offers RSUs that vest over time, giving employees shares of the company. They also provide stock options, allowing employees to purchase shares at a fixed price.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for American Airlines Group at 1 Skyview Drive Fort Worth, TX 76155; or by calling them at (817) 963-1234.

*Please see disclaimer for more information

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