Financial & Wealth Services News

:: George G. Elkin, Managing Director, Financial & Wealth Services
631.923-1595 ext. 336
G. R. Reid Wealth Management Services, LLC  

 What Is the Most Tax-Efficient Way to Take a Distribution from a Retirement Plan?
 
If you receive a distribution from a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k), you need to consider whether to pay taxes now or to roll over the account to another tax-deferred plan. A correctly implemented rollover can avoid current taxes and allow the funds to continue accumulating tax deferred.
 
Paying Current Taxes with a Lump-Sum Distribution
 
If you decide to take a lump-sum distribution, income taxes are due on the total amount of the distribution and are due in the year in which you cash out. Employers are required to withhold 20 percent automatically from the check and apply it toward federal income taxes, so you will receive only 80 percent of your total vested value in the plan.
 
The advantage of a lump-sum distribution is that you can spend or invest the balance as you wish. The problem with this approach is parting with all those tax dollars. Income taxes on the total distribution are taxed at your marginal income tax rate. If the distribution is large, it could easily move you into a higher tax bracket. Distributions taken prior to age 59½ are subject to an additional 10% federal income tax penalty.
 

If you were born prior to 1936, there are two special options that can help reduce your tax burden on a lump sum.

 
The first special option, 10-year averaging, enables you to treat the distribution as if it were received in equal installments over a 10-year period. You then calculate your tax liability using the 1986 tax tables for a single filer.
 
The second option, capital gains tax treatment, allows you to have the pre-1974 portion of your distribution taxed at a flat rate of 20 percent. The balance can be taxed under 10-year averaging, if you qualify.
 
To qualify for either of these special options, you must have participated in the retirement plan for at least five years and you must be receiving a total distribution of your retirement account.
 
Note that these special tax treatments are one-time propositions for those born prior to 1936. Once you elect to use a special option, future distributions will be subject to ordinary income taxes.
 
 
Deferring Taxes with a Rollover
 
If you don’t qualify for the above options or don’t want to pay current taxes on your lump-sum distribution, you can roll the money into a traditional IRA.
 
If instead you choose a rollover from a tax-deferred plan to a Roth IRA, you must pay income taxes on the total amount converted in that tax year. However, future withdrawals of earnings from a Roth IRA are free of federal income tax as long as the account has been held for at least five tax years.
 
If you elect to use an IRA rollover, you can avoid potential tax and penalty problems by electing a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer; in other words, the money never passes through your hands. IRA rollovers must be completed within 60 days of the distribution to avoid current taxes and penalties.
 
An IRA rollover allows your retirement nest egg to continue compounding tax deferred. Remember that you must begin taking annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred retirement plans after you turn 70½ (the first distribution must be taken no later than April 1 of the year after the year in which you reach age 70½). Failure to take RMDs subjects the funds that should have been withdrawn to a 50 percent federal income tax penalty.  
 
Of course, there is also the possibility that you may be able to keep the funds with your former employer, if allowed by your plan.
 
Before you decide which method to take for distributions from a qualified retirement plan, it would be prudent to consult with a professional tax advisor. 


Visit our website:  G.R. Reid Wealth Management Services, LLC


George Elkin is a Registered Representative offering Securities through American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. Member: FINRA, SIPC. Investment Advisory products/services are offered through American Portfolios Advisors Inc., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. G.R. Reid Consulting Services, LLC  is not a registered investment advisor and is independent of American Portfolios Financial Services Inc. and American Portfolios Advisors Inc. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the written advice in this memorandum or its attachments is not intended or written to be used for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Information is time sensitive, educational in nature, and not intended as investment advice or solicitation of any security.

This material was written and prepared by Emerald.

Financial Services News

G.R. Reid Consulting Services, LLC
 

 

What Is the Difference Between a Fixed Annuity and a Variable Annuity?

An annuity is a contract with an insurance company in which you make one or more payments in exchange for a future income stream in retirement. The funds in an annuity accumulate tax deferred, regardless of which type you select. Because you do not have to pay taxes on any growth in your annuity until it is withdrawn, this financial vehicle has become an attractive way to accumulate funds for retirement.
 
Annuities can be immediate or deferred, and they can provide fixed returns or variable returns.



Fixed Annuity
A fixed annuity is an insurance-based contract that can be funded either with a lump sum or through regular payments over time. In exchange, the insurance company will pay an income that can last for a specific period of time or for life.
 
Fixed annuity contracts are issued with guaranteed minimum interest rates. Although the rate may be adjusted, it should never fall below a guaranteed minimum rate specified in the contract. This guaranteed rate acts as a “floor” to potentially protect a contract owner from periods of low interest rates. Fixed annuities provide an option for an income stream that could last a lifetime. The guarantees of fixed annuity contracts are contingent on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
 
Immediate Fixed Annuity
Typically, an immediate annuity is funded with a lump-sum premium to the insurance company, and payments begin within 30 days or can be deferred up to 12 months. Payments can be paid monthly, quarterly, annually, or semi-annually for a guaranteed period of time or for life, whichever is specified in the contract. Only the interest portion of each payment is considered taxable income. The rest is considered a return of principal and is free of income taxes.
 
Deferred Fixed Annuity
 With a deferred annuity, you make regular premium payments to an insurance company over a period of time and allow the funds to build and earn interest during the accumulation phase. By postponing taxes while your funds accumulate, you keep more of your money working and growing for you instead of paying current taxes. This means an annuity may help you accumulate more over the long term than a taxable investment. Any earnings are not taxed until they are withdrawn, at which time they are considered ordinary income.
 
Variable Annuity
A variable annuity is a contract that provides fluctuating (variable) rather than fixed returns. The key feature of a variable annuity is that you can control how your premiums are invested by the insurance company. Thus, you decide how much risk you want to take and you also bear the investment risk.
 
Most variable annuity contracts offer a variety of professionally managed portfolios called “subaccounts” (or investment options) that invest in stocks, bonds, and money market instruments, as well as balanced investments. Some of your contributions can be placed in an account that offers a fixed rate of return. Your premiums will be allocated among the subaccounts that you select.
 
Unlike a fixed annuity, which pays a fixed rate of return, the value of a variable annuity contract is based on the performance of the investment subaccounts that you select. These subaccounts fluctuate in value with market conditions and the principal may be worth more or less than the original cost when surrendered. Variable annuities provide the dual advantages of investment flexibility and the potential for tax deferral. The taxes on all interest, dividends, and capital gains are deferred until withdrawals are made.
 
When you decide to receive income from your annuity, you can choose a lump sum, a fixed payout, or a variable payout. The earnings portion of the annuity will be subject to ordinary income taxes when you begin receiving income. Annuity withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to surrender charges plus a 10% federal income tax penalty if made prior to age 59½. Surrender charges may also apply during the contract’s early years.
 
Annuities have contract limitations, fees, and charges, which can include mortality and expense risk charges, sales and surrender charges, investment management fees, administrative fees, and charges for optional benefits. Annuities are not guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency; they are not deposits of, nor are they guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or savings association. Any guarantees are contingent on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. 
 
Variable annuities are sold by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the variable annuity contract and the underlying investment options, can be obtained from your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest.

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal income tax penalty. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.

The above information was supplied by Emerald Connect, Inc. All rights reserved © 2011.  This material may not be reproduced without permission.