Safe Retirement Income

Your Retirement Depends on It

Tim Barton, Chartered Financial Consultant

Pepin Wisconsin
715-220-4866

by Leave a Comment

What Happens at an IRA Owner’s Death?

The following is an overview of the options available to an IRA beneficiary. Depending on the type of IRA, whether or not the IRA beneficiary is the spouse of the deceased IRA owner and the IRA beneficiary’s needs and objectives, different options may be appropriate. 

In order to avoid unforeseen and/or negative tax consequences, an IRA beneficiary should seek professional tax advice before selecting an option.

 Inherited Traditional IRA Options: 

The options available to an individual who inherits a traditional IRA include the following: 

  1. Immediate Lump-Sum Distribution: Surrender the inherited IRA and receive the entire value in a lump sum. The taxable value of the IRA is then included in the beneficiary’s income in the year of surrender.
  2. Distributions Over Five Years: If the IRA owner was under age 70-1/2 at death, the beneficiary can take any amounts from the inherited IRA, so long as all of the funds are distributed by December 31 of the year containing the fifth anniversary of the original IRA owner’s death. This option is not available if the IRA owner was over age 70-1/2 at death.
  3. Life Expectancy: The IRA assets are transferred to an inherited IRA in the beneficiary’s name, where the date by which required minimum distributions must begin depends on whether or not the beneficiary is the surviving spouse and by the IRA owner’s age at the time of death.
  4.  Spousal  Transfer:    Under this option available only to surviving spouses who are the sole IRA beneficiary, the spouse beneficiary treats the inherited IRA as his/her own and the IRA assets continue to grow tax-deferred. IRA distribution rules are then based on the spouse’s age, meaning that distributions may not be available prior to the spouse’s age 59-1/2 without paying a penalty tax and required minimum distributions must begin by the spouse’s age 70-1/2.

For spouse beneficiaries: 

    • If the deceased spouse was younger than age 70-1/2 at the time of death, the surviving spouse may delay required minimum distributions until the year in which the deceased spouse would have reached age 70-1/2.
    • If the deceased spouse was older than age 70-1/2 at the time of death, the surviving spouse must begin taking required minimum distributions by December 31 of the year following the spouse’s death.

 For non-spouse beneficiaries:

    • Required minimum distributions from the inherited IRA can be spread over the non-spouse beneficiary’s life expectancy, with the first payment required to begin no later than December 31 of the year following the year of the IRA owner’s death.

 

Inherited Roth IRA Options:

 The options available to an individual who inherits a Roth IRA include the following: 

  1. Immediate Lump-Sum Distribution:  Surrender the inherited Roth IRA and receive the entire value in a lump sum. The earnings, however, may be taxable if the Roth IRA is not at least five years old.
  2. Distributions Over Five Years: The beneficiary can take any amounts from the inherited Roth IRA, so long as all of the funds are distributed by December 31 of the year containing the fifth anniversary of the original Roth IRA owner’s death. Any earnings distributed before the Roth IRA is at least five years old, however, may be taxable. Since all amounts other than earnings can first be withdrawn tax free, it may be possible to minimize or eliminate any taxation on earnings by withdrawing them last.
  3. Life Expectancy: The IRA assets are transferred to an inherited IRA in the beneficiary’s name. For non-spouse beneficiaries, required minimum distributions based on the beneficiary’s life expectancy must begin no later than December 31 of the year following the year of the deceased Roth IRA owner’s death. For a spouse who is the sole IRA beneficiary, required minimum distributions may be postponed until the year in which the deceased Roth IRA owner would have reached age 70-1/2. Since contributions are considered to be withdrawn first, it’s unlikely that any taxable distribution of earnings will take place if the Roth IRA hasn’t been in existence for five years.
  4.  Spousal Transfer: Under this option available only to surviving spouses who are the sole Roth IRA beneficiary, the spouse beneficiary treats the Roth IRA as his/her own. Roth IRA distribution rules are then based on the spouse’s age, meaning that distributions of earnings may not be available prior to the spouse’s age 59-1/2 without tax or penalty. Since Roth IRAs have no required beginning date and no required minimum distributions, the spouse can leave the money in the Roth IRA as long as he/she wants.

by 5 Comments

RMDs a Danger to Retirement Plans?

Government regulations dictate senior’s retirement income plans.  The question; Is this government “retirement plan” the best option?

If they have a traditional IRA, 401(k) and/or any other qualified retirement plan they must take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) upon reaching age 70- 1/2.  If they do not take RMD as required the penalty is a harsh 50%.  Most seniors follow the RMD plan so it must be the optimal way to receive retirement income… Right?

The new reality is nothing could be further from the truth.  Expected longevity continues to increase well past the I.R.S. life tables used to calculate RMD withdrawals.  This could  set up a dangerous financial situation later in life.

The alternative solution and one most seniors have not considered  is a Life Income Annuity.  Rollovers from IRAs and 401(k)s are easy and there are no taxes due or 10% penalty even if income is started before age 59.

Advantages of Life Income Annuities are significant and perform better than RMD plans:

  1. After enduring a decade of sub economic performance, low interest rates,  disappearing pensions and a decreasing Social Security trust fund seniors need protection from steep market swings. Income annuities eliminate market risk by providing a steady monthly pay check.
  2. Saves the golden decade of retirement; the 10 years from age 70 – 80.  RMDs are scheduled to be lower during this time and increase later.  The lifetime annuity has on average a 60% higher payout  during the golden decade and guarantees these payments for life with any remaining principal paid to beneficiaries.
  3. Prevents the RMD crash.   A typical life income annuity starts payments at age 70 about 60% higher than RMD withdrawals.  It is true RMDs increase with age but assuming a 3% growth rate at their peak they  will provide an income 15% lower than the annuity.  After the RMD’s peak withdrawal years the  annual income begins decreasing until the money runs out.

Lifetime annuities take the RMD drop off  and longevity risk away while offering a higher payout.

For help you may ask questions in the comments

Or contact me privately: Tim Barton Chartered Financial Consultant

 

by Leave a Comment

Roth IRA Enhancement

The Roth IRA may be one of the most under used retirement income strategies.  Due to the deductibility of other retirement saving plans like Traditional IRAs and the 401(k); Roth IRAs are usually just an afterthought. After all who does not want to pay as little income tax as possible?  It seems a very simple rational decision. Initially a Roth has no effect on the amount of income tax due because the taxpayer receives no immediate tax deduction.   

Today one of the most relevant retirement/tax planning question is –

Do you think tax rates are headed down, stay the same or will they go up in the future? 

Clearly if you feel tax rates are going rise at some point then the decision is to pay a smaller tax now or a bigger tax on a larger sum later.  A Roth IRA is worth serious consideration, especially if you consider an enhancement by utilizing available lifetime income options.  

The new generations of annuities offered today either have income options built in or offer the option to purchase a guaranteed lifetime income rider. Using either of these options the annuity owner has the ability to start lifetime income at a specified age. 

If retirement planning is being done correctly income points are identified.  These are points in time when a retiree needs to start an income stream.  

To help understand the magnitude of the enhanced Roth advantage let’s use a simple example.  A future retiree is currently 49, they start contributing to a Roth annuity with lifetime income available as early as age 59 ½. The Roth’s income benefit base has grown to $100,000 with an annual tax free lifetime payout of 5% available ($5,000).  Whether or not they actually plan to retire at this early date they should start the lifetime income payout.  Why?  Because the income is for life, the earlier it is started the greater chance they will live long enough to get into company money.  In other words they would receive all of their money, interest earned and then they receive company money for as long as they live.  If cost of living increases are built onto our $5,000 yearly income example so much the better.   

Besides, even if still working, who wouldn’t appreciate some additional tax free income every year after age 59 ½?

For help you may ask questions in the comments

Or click here to contact me privately: Tim Barton Chartered Financial Consultant

 

by Leave a Comment

4% Rule or a Lifetime Income Annuity

Outliving one’s assets is a major concern for today’s retirees. One common approach to address this concern has been the “4% rule,” which is a generally accepted rule of thumb in financial planning for retirement income. It says to withdraw no more than 4% of an asset in retirement annually, and then increase the withdrawn amount by 3% each year to help offset the effects of inflation. Many believe the 4% rule provides a strong likelihood for retirement assets to last 30 or more years.

One problem with the 4% rule is that it does NOT GUARANTEE you won’t run out of money. In fact, with today’s historic market volatility and longer life expectancies, it’s predicted that up to 18 out of 100 people WILL RUN OUT OF MONEY in retirement using the 4% rule.

What if there was a different strategy that could provide the same amount of retirement income as the 4% rule and might even require fewer assets to do so? Additionally, this strategy would protect your income from market loss and GUARANTEE that income would last throughout your lifetime.

This strategy exists today and can be implemented using a fixed index annuity with a guaranteed lifetime income benefit or a secure lifetime retirement income annuity.

For help you may ask questions in the comments

Or contact me privately here: Tim Barton Chartered Financial Consultant

by Leave a Comment

When You Change Jobs…You May Have an Important Decision to Make!

What to do with your money in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k) plan. Since these funds were originally intended to help provide financial security during retirement, you need to carefully evaluate which of the following options will best ensure that these assets remain available to contribute to a financially-secure retirement.

Take the Funds: You can withdraw the funds in a lump sum and do what you please with them. This is, however, rarely a good idea unless you need the funds for an emergency.

Consider:
•A mandatory 20% federal income tax withholding will be subtracted from the lump sum you receive.
•You may have to pay additional federal (and possibly state) income tax on the lump sum distribution, depending on your tax bracket (and the distribution may put you in a higher bracket).
•Unless one of the exceptions is met, you may also have to pay a 10% premature distribution tax in addition to regular income tax.
•The funds will no longer benefit from the tax-deferred growth of a qualified retirement plan.

Leave the Funds:

You can leave the funds in your previous employer’s retirement plan, where they will continue to grow on a tax-deferred basis. If you’re satisfied with the investment performance/options available, this may be a good alternative. Leaving the funds temporarily while you explore the various options open to you may also be a good alternative. (Note: If your vested balance in the retirement plan is $5,000 or less, you may be required to take a lump-sum distribution.)

Roll the Funds Over:

You can take the funds from the plan and roll them over, either to your new employer’s retirement plan (assuming the plan accepts rollovers) or to a traditional IRA, where you have more control over investment decisions. This approach offers the advantages of preserving the funds for use in retirement, while enabling them to continue to grow on a tax-deferred basis.

Why Taking a Lump-Sum Distribution May Be a Bad Idea:

While a lump-sum distribution can be tempting, it can also cost you thousands of dollars in taxes, penalties and lost growth opportunities…money that will not be available for future use in retirement.

For help you may ask questions in the comments or contact me privately here: Tim Barton Chartered Financial Consultant

by 3 Comments

What Do Pianos Have to Do With Annuities?

In the 1960s and 70s the nation’s largest keyboard company  Baldwin Piano & Organ Company began expanding into banking and insurance eventually creating a large conglomerate of financial services companies.  In 1977 Baldwin merged with United Corp., an investment company, and became Baldwin-United Corp.

Unfortunately for buyers, these contracts proved to be unsustainable and directly contributed to the bankruptcy of Baldwin-United in 1983.  In fact, the $9 billion in liabilities of Baldwin-United exceeded the combined debt of the four previous largest bankruptcies up to that point. 

In the 1983 the states of Indiana and Arkansas took over the majority of Baldwin-United’s assets and began the long process of rehabilitating the two insurance carriers and distributing assets to policyholders.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article companies

“betting they can wring more profit from annuity contracts” than traditional insurance companies.

Another article in Bloomberg Business Week quotes Benjamin Lawsky, New York State superintendent of financial services

 “Their focus is on maximizing their immediate financial returns, rather than ensuring that promised retirement benefits are there at the end of the day for policyholders,”

Important questions to ask about insurance companies you are considering doing business with.

  • Are they controlled by outside entities that don’t have an insurance background or experience?
  • Do they offer products with features and rates that are far above what the competition is offering?

 The lessons from the past should be kept in mind.

Properly managed insurance companies are among the safest places for your retirement dollars even in the example of Baldwin-United the state guaranty associations made the policyholders whole.  This process is time consuming so it wise to research companies you are considering.

 

by Leave a Comment

Why Are Taxes Due On A Roth After Age 59 ½ ?

This is a common question.  Many believe there are no income taxes due on Roth withdrawals after reaching that magic age of 59 ½.   However there are conditions on nontaxable withdrawals.  The IRS has rules that define a withdrawal as qualified distributions. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are received free of income tax and are not subject to the 10% premature withdrawal penalty tax.

Roth IRA distributions that do not meet the qualified distribution requirements will be included in income to the extent that the distribution represents earnings on Roth IRA contributions and may be subject to a 10% premature withdrawal penalty tax. 

Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are not included in gross income and are not subject to the additional 10% penalty tax for premature distributions.

To be a tax-free qualified distribution:

  • The distribution must occur more than five years after the individual first contributed to the Roth IRA;  and
  • The individual must be at least 59-1/2 years old, disabled, deceased or the funds must be used to purchase a first home ($10,000 lifetime limit). 

There is no requirement that distributions from a Roth IRA begin by age 70-1/2.

Unlike regular IRAs, contributions to a Roth IRA can be made after age 70-1/2.

For help you may ask questions in the comments or contact me privately here: Tim Barton Chartered Financial Consultant

 

by Leave a Comment

Who Has More Retirement Confidence?

Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) recently surveyed retirees between the ages of 50-66 and found 53% who own annuities are extremely or very confident their retirement income will be enough and will stay secure throughout their retirements.  Interestingly of those who do not own annuities only 31% are confident about their retirement income.

Posted on September 4, 2012 by IALC

And not only are these consumers more confident, they are also satisfied with their annuity purchases. A recent LIMRA study found that 83% of fixed indexed annuity buyers reported being satisfied with their annuities and five in six would recommend annuities to others.

So what’s driving people to buy fixed annuities, in particular? Certainly the 2008 crash taught consumers that their foundations are not as sturdy as they once thought. So in order to regain a sense of stability they are looking for sources that provide some minimum guaranteed income. In fact, when asked about the intended uses for indexed annuities in another recent LIMRA survey, respondents’ top three responses involved retirement planning, including supplementing Social Security or pension income, accumulating assets for retirement, and receiving guaranteed lifetime income.

Note the annuities being discussed are fixed annuities which guarantee principal, interest and income. A variable annuity fluctuates with the equities in which it is invested and as a result provides no guarantees. A variable annuity should not be confused with a fixed annuity.

For help you may ask questions in the comments or contact me privately here: Tim Barton Chartered Financial Consultant