I have seen this topic several times in the last week or so. At first I thought it was just one of the radical ideas that was out there to scare people about “big government.” After I saw this several times I did some research and it seems to be a legitimate proposal that is being floated. The attached is a good summary.
Larry Kopsa CPA
(Investors Business Daily) -- In a guest editorial posted at Investors.com, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and think tank director Peter Ferrara write that investors who "did the responsible thing" by saving in their IRAs or 401(k)'s may find that "Washington is developing plans for their retirement savings." They write that "BusinessWeek reports that the Treasury and Labor departments are asking for public comment on 'the conversion of 401(k) savings and Individual Retirement Accounts into annuities or other steady payment streams.'" The op-ed states: "In plain English, the idea is for the government to take your retirement savings in return for a promise to pay you some monthly benefit in your retirement years." This would be done "to pay for their unprecedented trillion-dollar budget deficits, leaving nothing to back up their political promises," write Gingrich and Ferrara. Hearings on such a proposal were "held last fall by House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., of the Ways and Means Committee focusing on 'redirecting (IRA and 401k) tax breaks to a new system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute,'" according to the op-ed, which can be read in its entirety at http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=521423>
Showing posts with label Retirement Plans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Retirement Plans. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Friday, May 29, 2009
TOP TEN FACTS ABOUT TAKING EARLY DISTRIBUTIONS FROM RETIREMENT PLANS
If you are considering taking an early distribution from your retirement plan, here are some things you need to know:
1. Payments you receive from your Individual Retirement Arrangement before you reach age 59 ½ are generally considered early or premature distributions.
2. Early distributions are usually subject to an additional 10 percent tax.
3. Early distributions must also be reported to the IRS.
4. Distributions you rollover to another IRA or qualified retirement plan are not subject to the additional 10 percent tax. You must complete the rollover within 60 days after the day you received the distribution.
5. The amount you roll over is generally taxed when the new plan makes a distribution to you or your beneficiary.
6. If you made nondeductible contributions to an IRA and later take early distributions from that same IRA, the portion of the distribution attributable to those contributions is not taxed.
7. If you received an early distribution from a Roth IRA the distribution attributable to contributions is not taxed.
8. If you received a distribution from any other qualified retirement plan, generally the entire distribution is taxable unless you made after-tax employee contributions to the plan.
9. There are several exceptions to the additional 10 percent early distribution, such as when the distributions are used for purchase of a first home, certain medical and educational expenses or if you become disabled.
10. At age 50 you can start taking distributions without the 10% penalty if you take the money over a specified time period. If you are considering this option, make sure you discuss this with your investment advisor.
1. Payments you receive from your Individual Retirement Arrangement before you reach age 59 ½ are generally considered early or premature distributions.
2. Early distributions are usually subject to an additional 10 percent tax.
3. Early distributions must also be reported to the IRS.
4. Distributions you rollover to another IRA or qualified retirement plan are not subject to the additional 10 percent tax. You must complete the rollover within 60 days after the day you received the distribution.
5. The amount you roll over is generally taxed when the new plan makes a distribution to you or your beneficiary.
6. If you made nondeductible contributions to an IRA and later take early distributions from that same IRA, the portion of the distribution attributable to those contributions is not taxed.
7. If you received an early distribution from a Roth IRA the distribution attributable to contributions is not taxed.
8. If you received a distribution from any other qualified retirement plan, generally the entire distribution is taxable unless you made after-tax employee contributions to the plan.
9. There are several exceptions to the additional 10 percent early distribution, such as when the distributions are used for purchase of a first home, certain medical and educational expenses or if you become disabled.
10. At age 50 you can start taking distributions without the 10% penalty if you take the money over a specified time period. If you are considering this option, make sure you discuss this with your investment advisor.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
HEY RETIRED PEOPLE - YOUR STIMULUS CHECK IS IN THE MAIL
Stimulus Payments Being Mailed to Retirees
Eligible working taxpayers most likely have a little more money ($400) in their pocket because they had reduced withholding.
For those whose income consists primarily of social security benefits, supplemental security income, disabled veterans benefits or railroad retirement benefits, the government will send checks for $250 based on information that it already has. Eligible individuals who are collecting these benefits while continuing to work will receive a Making Work Pay Credit of the greater of $250 or $400.
But watch out, this is a one-time payment that will be taxable as ordinary income if the retiree has sufficient income this year.
Larry Kopsa CPA
Eligible working taxpayers most likely have a little more money ($400) in their pocket because they had reduced withholding.
For those whose income consists primarily of social security benefits, supplemental security income, disabled veterans benefits or railroad retirement benefits, the government will send checks for $250 based on information that it already has. Eligible individuals who are collecting these benefits while continuing to work will receive a Making Work Pay Credit of the greater of $250 or $400.
But watch out, this is a one-time payment that will be taxable as ordinary income if the retiree has sufficient income this year.
Larry Kopsa CPA
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