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“Required Minimum Distributions (aka RMDs) are an important topic if you have an IRA or 401(k). Are you approaching retirement age? Are you trying to understand the rules surrounding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)? There is much to know but we have summarized and simplified it. Here’s what we will cover:
- What are Required Minimum Distributions
- How to calculate your Required Minimum Distribution
- Tax consequences of taking Required Minimum Distributions
- Strategies to minimize the tax impact of Required Minimum Distributions
- Deadlines for taking Required Minimum Distributions
Let’s begin with a definition: A required minimum distribution is a mandatory withdrawal from your traditional IRA or 401(k) accounts when you reach a certain age. In the US, the age is 73 following the recent Secure Act 2.0. That number will eventually reach age 75 by 2033. The purpose of RMDs is ensuring retirees begin to use their qualified assets and to allow Uncle Sam to get their taxes.
The amount that you’ll be required to withdraw depends on your account balance and how long ago you reached retirement age. To determine exactly how much money you must take out each year, use an RMD calculator based on your financial information. It’s important to keep careful track of this information so that you avoid any potential penalties from not taking out enough money.
When it comes time to make the withdrawal, there are several steps involved. First, decide which account to take distributions from and then divide it up between qualified and non-qualified funds accordingly. Remember to pay taxes on distributions coming from your traditional IRA; however any withdrawals coming from Roth IRAs are tax-free!
Know that we know what it is, let’s talk about who it effects. Retiring from your career or business is a great accomplishment. If you are one of those people, congratulations. Navigating the required minimum distributions (RMDs) that come with retirement can be both confusing and overwhelming. But, having proper knowledge about RMDs can help retirees make strategic decisions when it comes to their finances, allowing greater financial flexibility for themselves and loved ones.
There are several factors that go into calculating your RMD, including your age, the balance of your retirement account, and a government issued life expectancy table. Basically, you must withdraw a certain percentage of your account balance each year or face stiff penalties from the IRS.
For most people, Required Minimum Distributions are an important step in transitioning from saving for retirement to enjoying their retirement years. It can be difficult to let go of that nest egg you have been building for years, but remember, it’s meant to be used! Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy yourself, and Required Minimum Distributions help make sure that your savings will last as long as you do.
How do I calculate my Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)?
Your required minimum distribution (RMD) is based on your age and the total value of your retirement accounts. To calculate your RMD, divide the total value of your retirement accounts by the appropriate factor from the IRS table.
For example, if you are 73 years old in 2023 and have a total of $100,000 in retirement savings, your RMD would be $3,773 ($100,000 / 26.5). If you fail to take your RMD, the new Secure Act 2022 reduces the penalty from 50% to 25% penalty on the amount that should have been withdrawn. In addition, the penalty drops down to 10% if you take the necessary RMD by the end of the second year following the year it was due.
If you need help with your RMDs or anything else with your qualified retired plans, please contact us for assistance.
What are the tax implications of Required Minimum Distributions?
RMDs, or Required Minimum Distributions, are a key component of tax planning for retirement. They are the amounts that you must withdraw from your retirement accounts each year, and they are taxed as income. The RMD calculation is based on your age, account balance, and life expectancy.
If you have multiple retirement accounts, you must aggregate them for the purposes of RMD calculations. This can be tricky, especially if you have multiple 401(k) plans. If you are not sure, consult with a wealth advisor or tax professional to make sure you are calculating your RMD correctly.
There is no penalty for withdrawing more than the required amount from your retirement accounts, but any excess amount will be taxed as ordinary income. Herein lies the problem. Everything distributed from you IRA or other qualified plan is income taxable. That’s why we are about to get into strategies to minimize the tax bite.
What can I do to minimize taxes related to Required Minimum Distributions?
There are a few things you can do to minimize taxes related to RMDs. The most important is to plan ahead. Make sure you understand the rules for RMDs and when you are required to take them.
- Calculate the Right Amount. Your Required Minimum Distributions are based on the balance in your accounts as of December 31 of the previous year, divided by a life expectancy factor based on your age.
- Know when you don’t have to take Required Minimum Distributions since they are not just for retirees. If you are still working and have a traditional IRA, you are required to take an RMD beginning at age 73. This can be a bit of a surprise if you were not expecting it. However, if you are still working, RMD’s are not required from the 401(k) of your current employer.
- Take the Money From the Right Accounts. The rules about which account to tap for the withdrawal are different for IRAs and 401(k)s. If you have several traditional IRAs, the sum of all accounts must be used to determine the total Required Minimum Distributions. You can withdraw the money from one or more of the accounts. (You do not have to take RMDs from Roth IRAs.) Keep in mind, you cannot use this method in the case of several 401(k)’s.
- Give RMDs to Charity Tax-Free. After you turn 70½, you can give up to $100,000 from your IRA to charity tax-free each year, which counts as your RMD but isn’t included in your adjusted gross income. If you don’t need the money to live on, this is one way to get a huge tax break for your charitable gift. By the way, under the new Secure Act 2.0, the $100,000 is indexed each year.
- Convert Money from a Traditional IRA to a Roth to Eliminate Future Required Minimum Distributions. If you convert money from a traditional IRA to a Roth, you’ll pay taxes on the conversion (minus any portion from nondeductible contributions). But thereafter the money will grow tax-free and not be subject to future Required Minimum Distributions. As a bonus, any Roth left to your beneficiaries is not subject to income tax.
- Use Required Minimum Distributions to create transferable wealth. Your RMD’s will be taxed at your rate. However, the unmistakable benefit of this strategy is maximizing your IRA to benefit your family or favorite charity. The concept is quite simple. We use after-tax Required Minimum Distributions to fund a Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust. This funding pays for a life insurance policy that will transfer substantially more money to heirs when you die. Depending on the type of insurance and a person’s health, this strategy can create huge tax free inheritances. Best of all, when done properly, the inheritance is free from estate tax, too.
- You can consider withdrawing less than the required minimum distribution each year. This sounds counterintuitive, but hang on. By spreading out your taxable income over multiple years, you could lower your overall tax bill. Since the penalty for failing to withdraw your RMD was reduced from 50% to 25%, it just may be worth it. This one requires specific calculations so be sure you are working with someone who understands the concept.
Conclusion on Required Minimum Distributions
Conclusion: We’ve discussed what a Required Minimum Distribution is, how to calculate the amount due each year and what steps must be taken in order for retirees to properly withdraw their funds without incurring penalties or fees. With proper planning and knowledge of these rules, retirees can look forward to increased financial security in their golden years!
When it comes to taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), there is no one size fits all. They are mandatory for anyone with an IRA. Anything that is mandatory requires a second look, and some planning.
Overall, taking required minimum distributions can seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of preparation and organization it can be a relatively smooth process. By knowing what to expect and by planning ahead, you can make sure that everything goes smoothly and that you don’t run into any surprises come tax time. In fact, you can bank on potentially lowering your taxes if you use the strategies we provided in this video.
Required Minimum Distributions are an important part of retirement planning and they don’t have to cause confusion. We hope you will look a little closer at how to maximize Required Minimum Distributions and minimize the underlying taxes. Remember, it is always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor to ensure you are taking the appropriate steps for your situation. If you have questions or need help with your Required Minimum Distributions, we would be honored to help you plan for a bright future. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. Click here to connect with us.
