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How Will You Withdraw Your Retirement Funds?

May 10, 2022

For much of your career, you’ve focused on building an appropriate retirement savings. But once you retire, the strategy will shift from saving to spending - or, more accurately, withdrawing. Many retirees have spent little time considering how they will take withdrawals from their retirement funds, so you might be surprised to learn that this part of your plan should include careful strategy as well. 


The rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs).  At age 72, you will be required to start taking RMDs from your retirement account, if you haven’t already. These withdrawals must be taken by April 1 of the year after you turn 72, and by December 31 in subsequent years. 


If you forget to take your RMD for the year, the IRS will impose a penalty in the amount of 50 percent of the amount you should have withdrawn. You definitely don’t want to overlook your RMD each year or withdraw less than the required amount. 


Your RMD is based upon your age, life expectancy, and the account’s balance. So, it will change each year, and must be calculated carefully to avoid triggering penalties. 


Withdrawals from multiple accounts. If you’re fortunate enough to have savings in multiple retirement accounts, you need to strategize withdrawals in a certain order. For example, you might feel tempted to withdraw from your Roth account first, in order to avoid income taxes. But it is important to know that withdrawals from a Roth IRA do not count toward your Required Minimum Distribution.  Only regular IRAs, SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs and 401(k)s count toward RMDs.


And of course, those of you with multiple IRAs from different jobs might face confusion when it comes time to take withdrawals. One simple way to deal with this question is to roll all of the funds into one account. 


Delaying your RMD. If you’re still working at age 72, while contributing to a 401(k), you might be eligible to delay your RMDs. However, you would still be required to take RMDs from other accounts from previous employers. 


Consider a Roth conversion. In some cases, it makes sense to roll all of your retirement accounts into one Roth account. Making this move will trigger a one-time tax debt, but then the money in the account will continue to grow, untaxed. This move makes sense in some cases but is not the right choice for everyone. 


As you can see, all of these considerations create quite a complex puzzle when it comes to retirement account withdrawals. Numerous rules and tax considerations can lead to wildly varying outcomes. Meet with me before you retire, and then regularly throughout your retirement, so that we can help you strategize your retirement income plan. 

Using Life Insurance to Protect Your Business: Key Strategies for Business Owners

February 11, 2025
As a business owner, safeguarding your enterprise against unforeseen events is crucial for long-term success. Life insurance offers several strategies to protect your business, ensure continuity, and provide financial stability during challenging times. Two primary methods are buy-sell agreements and key person insurance. Buy-Sell Agreements A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines the procedure for transferring ownership if an owner departs due to death, disability, or retirement. Funding this agreement with life insurance ensures a smooth transition and financial security for the remaining owners and the departing owner's beneficiaries. Types of Buy-Sell Agreements Cross-Purchase Agreement: Each owner purchases a life insurance policy on the other owners. Upon an owner's death, the surviving owners use the policy proceeds to buy the deceased owner's share. This method is often suitable for businesses with a few owners. Entity Purchase Agreement: The business itself owns life insurance policies on each owner. If an owner passes away, the business uses the proceeds to buy back the deceased owner's share, redistributing it among the remaining owners. This approach is typically preferred for businesses with multiple owners. Key Person Insurance Key person insurance is a policy that a business takes out on essential employees whose loss could significantly impact operations. The business owns the policy, pays the premiums, and is the beneficiary. If a key person dies or becomes disabled, the policy proceeds can be used to: Cover the costs of finding and training a replacement. Offset lost revenue resulting from the key person's absence. Reassure clients, creditors, and investors of the business's stability. This strategy is vital for businesses where certain individuals are integral to success, such as top executives, lead developers, or primary sales personnel. Additional Strategies Beyond buy-sell agreements and key person insurance, consider these life insurance strategies: Collateral Assignment: Use a life insurance policy as collateral for business loans. In the event of the owner's death, the lender is paid from the policy proceeds, preventing financial strain on the business. Executive Bonus Plans: Provide key employees with life insurance policies as part of their compensation package. This not only offers them personal financial protection but also serves as an incentive for retention. Deferred Compensation Plans: Promise to pay key employees a certain amount at retirement, funded through life insurance policies. This ensures the business can meet its obligations without affecting cash flow. Implementing life insurance strategies is essential for business owners aiming to protect their enterprises from unforeseen events. Work with us to explore your life insurance options and we can help your business remain resilient and continue to thrive.

What Happens If You Outlive Your Term Life Insurance?

February 1, 2025
Term life insurance provides coverage for a specified period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. If you outlive your term policy, the coverage ends, and no death benefit is paid to your beneficiaries. As you approach the end of your term, it's essential to evaluate your current financial situation and consider options to maintain life insurance coverage if needed. Options to Consider Annual Renewable Term: Some term policies offer an option to renew annually after the initial term expires. While this allows you to extend coverage without a medical exam, premiums typically increase each year based on your age, making it a potentially costly option over time. PROGRESSIVE.COM Policy Conversion: Term-to-Permanent Conversion: Many term policies include a conversion feature, allowing you to convert your term policy into a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole or universal life, without undergoing a medical examination. This option can provide lifelong coverage and build cash value, but premiums will be higher than those of the original term policy. NEWYORKLIFE.COM Purchasing a New Policy New Term Policy: Applying for a new term life insurance policy can be an option, especially if you're still in good health. However, premiums will be higher due to increased age, and you may need to undergo a medical exam. Permanent Life Insurance: Alternatively, you might consider purchasing a permanent life insurance policy, which provides lifelong coverage and accumulates cash value. This option is generally more expensive but offers additional benefits. Exploring Alternative Coverage: Final Expense Insurance: Designed to cover end-of-life expenses, such as funeral costs and medical bills, final expense insurance offers a smaller death benefit with more affordable premiums and may not require a medical exam. Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance: This type of policy provides coverage for a specified age (e.g., up to age 90 or 100) with lower premiums compared to whole life insurance, focusing primarily on the death benefit without significant cash value accumulation. Take Action Now As your term life insurance policy nears its expiration, assess your current financial needs and health status to determine the most suitable course of action. Consulting with an insurance professional can help you navigate your options and select the best solution to ensure continued financial protection for your loved ones.
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