Understandably, financial professionals and their clients often focus on potential returns and projected income in retirement. In addition to leveraging traditional investments and employer-sponsored plans, clients are encouraged to strategize their timing for claiming Social Security.
A lot of emphasis is placed on calculating Social Security benefits as part of a retirement strategy. And rightly so.
Many workers today have the opportunity to participate in an employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan. And employers continue to leverage these types of retirement benefits as major recruitment tools.
As a financial professional, you’re well versed in the lingo and jargon of the industry. Terms like “fiduciary” or “pension risk transfer” may roll off your tongue with ease. You’ve also gained a full understanding of the importance of taking action ahead of retirement to ensure comfortable living. Those you advise or guide through defined contribution plans, however, may not be nearly as versed as you.
The turn of the calendar from one year to the next often brings with it New Year's resolutions. In addition to improved health, making better financial decisions often tops people’s lists.
The transition from working to retirement impacts just about every facet of a person’s life — yes, even taxes. So, as plan participants prepare to embark on their post-career lives, it’s reasonable to expect them to have new questions about tax implications of retirement account withdrawals.
After a lifetime spent saving, investing, and diversification, with retirement, the participant’s goal may not have changed, but their strategy will. They most likely still aim to achieve a financially secure retirement; but now, they face the challenge of transforming savings and investments into an income stream.
The transition from working to retirement impacts just about every facet of a person’s life — yes, even taxes. So, as plan participants prepare to embark on their post-career lives, it’s reasonable to expect them to have new questions about tax implications of retirement account withdrawals.
After a lifetime spent saving, investing, and diversification, with retirement, the participant’s goal may not have changed, but their strategy will. They most likely still aim to achieve a financially secure retirement; but now, they face the challenge of transforming savings and investments into an income stream.
How many retirement plan rules saw changes in the past year? How many are expected to go into effect over the next year or two? Contribution limits, required minimum distributions, catch-up contributions, income limits, tax rates — the retirement planning landscape is always in flux.
Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, better known as Saver’s Credit, was developed to encourage workers with low and moderate incomes to save for retirement. Few taxpayers actually take advantage of the program, however, with only 5.7% claiming the credit, according to the latest statistics.1
