Slott Report: Ed Slott and Company financial, IRA, retirement and tax planning information

60-Day IRA Rollover Automatic Waiver: What IRA Custodians Don't Know or Want You to Know

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:10:00 +0000

Let's assume you did the unforgiveable and took a distribution from your IRA (or other retirement plan) that was payable to you, other than a required distribution. Within 60 days you presented the funds to an IRA (or Roth IRA) custodian for redeposit. Then something happened and the funds do not end up in an IRA (or Roth IRA) account. You do not discover the error immediately. Typically it is discovered at tax time. What are your options?

You could just give up and pay income tax and the 10% early distribution penalty, if applicable, on the distribution. The financial institution or your tax advisor may suggest you go for a Private Letter Ruling from IRS asking for more time to complete the rollover. There is an IRS fee for this service and a fee for a preparer to put together the ruling request. Then there is the waiting period while IRS investigates and makes a determination on your request (average time is about nine months).

Or, you might be able to make use of the automatic waiver of the 60-day rollover rule. The following conditions must be met to qualify for an automatic waiver.

• The taxpayer must follow all procedures required by the financial institution for completing a valid rollover – including giving instructions to deposit the funds to an IRA account

• The funds are not timely deposited to an IRA account due solely to an error on the part of the financial institution.

• The funds must be deposited into a valid IRA account by one year from the beginning date of the 60-day rollover period.

• If the financial institution had followed the taxpayer’s instructions, there would have been a valid rollover.

These requirements are found in IRS Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2003-16 issued by IRS on January 8, 2003 in Section 3.03.

There is no reporting requirement to IRS on the part of any custodian that utilizes the automatic waiver provision. Why don’t the financial institutions offer this option more often to account owners? Perhaps they don’t want to admit guilt, perhaps they want the IRS “blessing” of a PLR, or perhaps they just don’t know about the automatic waiver. But now you do.

By IRA Technical Consultant Beverly DeVeny and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Inherited IRAs, SEP IRAs, Net Unrealized Appreciation Highlight Mailbag

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:47:00 +0000

This week's Slott Report Mailbag features questions (and our answers) about inherited IRAs, SEP IRAs and Net Unrealized Appreciation. As always, we stress the importance of working with a competent, educated financial advisor to keep your retirement nest egg safe and secure. Find one in your area at this link.

Send Your Questions to mailbag@irahelp.com

1.
Hello Ed and Company,

My mother recently passed away, and we three children are inheriting an annuity. Is it possible to roll each portion to an IRA to keep the money growing tax free?   

Thank you,   
Elena

Answer:
It is possible to split the annuity into three separate shares. You should, however, check with the annuity company to see if they will allow the split. Assuming they will, you want to have the three separate shares in inherited IRAs established for each of the three beneficiaries prior to 12/31 of the year following your mother’s death. I f that is completed on time, then each child can take their annual RMDs (required minimum distributions) using their attained age, in the year following the year of your mother's death. If the 12/31 date is missed, then each child's annual RMD would be based on the age of the oldest beneficiary.

You want to insure that a check is not issued payable to a beneficiary. If that happens then there cannot be an inherited IRA and the full amount will be fully taxable. The best way to go from your mother's IRA to inherited IRAs is to do a trustee-to-trustee transfer. One other thing, when establishing the inherited IRAs make sure your mother's name appears in the title.

2.
Hello Ed Slott and Company,

I have been reading through various IRS publications to no avail. Repeated Google searches have proved fruitless as well. I recently sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner. As I have not received any information yet, I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on the following question:

A registered sales manager makes about $32,000 per year. He contributes the maximum each year to his 401(k); the 401(k) contributions come from his earnings as sales manager.

In addition to the aforementioned income, he also has commission-based income of $100,000 to $140,000 per year from the same company.

He is paid as a “statutory employee” per his 2010 Form W-2.

Could he, in such circumstances, contribute to a SEP [in addition to the 401(k) contributions mentioned above] from his commission-based earnings? Please note: these earnings are reported on his tax return as Schedule C, but they do show on his 2010 Form W-2.

Amy insight you could provide is much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Meg

Answer:
You have to first determine if the client is self-employed or not. Only a truly self-employed individual can establish a SEP IRA.

3.
I have a 401(k) with substantial after-tax contributions (both pre 1986 and post 1987 after-tax contributions). The plan also holds company stock contributed by my employer on a pre-tax basis, and company stock purchased with my contributions on both a pre- and post-tax basis. My 401(k) custodian tracks all of this cost basis information separately for each type of contribution (pre 1986, post 1987, before tax, after tax, company contribution earnings etc.). I am 57 years old, and I retired from my employer after my 55th birthday.

I plan to take an NUA (net unrealized appreciation) distribution of the company contributed stock in 2013. My after-tax contributions will exceed the cost basis of the stock that I am taking out as an NUA distribution, so I understand that I will not owe any taxes in 2013 on the NUA distribution, that the cost basis of these shares will be zero, and that the amount of my after-tax contributions in my 401(k) will be reduced by the basis of the NUA shares that I withdrawal.

I would like to contribute the remaining after-tax contributions in my 401(k) to a Roth IRA and roll over the remaining pre-tax contributions to a traditional IRA. I called the IRS and asked about this; the agent that I spoke with reviewed Publication 575, and told me that as far as he could tell, as long as the 401(k) custodian can separate out the after-tax contributions, I could roll them over to a Roth IRA without any tax consequences. Am I allowed to do this?

Answer:
The cost basis of the company stock in the 401(k) plan is determined by the purchase price when purchased by the plan, not by the pre- and after-tax amounts you have in the plan. Some shares in your account will be taxable and some may not be, depending on whether they are purchased with pre-tax contributions or after-tax contributions. To avoid an early distribution penalty of 10% on the taxable amount of the NUA distribution, you must be age 55 or older in the year you separated from service.

By Marvin Rotenberg and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

60-Day Rollovers, Questions to Ask Financial Advisor, Confidence in Retirement Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Each day, One Day Closer provides the articles from across the worldwide web that help you move one day closer to a sound financial situation, a retirement you always envisioned, a safe and secure financial future for you and your family. This will be added to throughout the day with important articles.

Quote of the Day:
Stages of retirement: First you forget names; then you forget faces; then you forget to zip up your fly; and then you forget to unzip your fly. -Branch Rickey

Articles of the Day:
As SmartMoney illustrates, safe stocks are off to a wobbly start in 2012. http://sm.wsj.com/zhkFXx

Morningstar unpacks the 4% retirement withdrawal "rule" as a good place to start. http://bit.ly/AxKTNM

CBS News looks at the conundrum behind long-term care. http://bit.ly/zEPH8U

MarketWatch looks at an "endangered" retirement if we aren't careful. http://bit.ly/zP4EYy

Good for you seniors (if voluntary!). This USA Today article talks about many seniors who could retire, but choose to keep working. http://usat.ly/wZ90N6

Is your financial advisor who he or she says they are? That question is discussed in this Forbes article. http://onforb.es/wCjU0r. The discussion highlights the importance of our 10 Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor.

This IRS private letter ruling granted relief to someone who missed a 60-day rollover due to unfit mental capacity. No matter what the reason, this article strikes at the importance of knowing sections of tax code pertaining to 60-day rollovers. http://bit.ly/x9K5D6

A look at the long-term vitality of mutual funds from Fortune. http://bit.ly/zdlGGV

Reuters looks at six ways you can maximize your retirement 'sweet spot' years. http://reut.rs/xjSmpm

According to this survey, two of out every three Generation X member lacks confidence in their retirement savings being enough over the long term. http://bit.ly/yltYng

401(k) Tips, Baby Boomers' Nest Egg, Roth IRA Conversion Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Each day, One Day Closer provides the articles from across the worldwide web that help you move one day closer to a sound financial situation, a retirement you always envisioned, a safe and secure financial future for you and your family. This will be added to throughout the day with important articles.

Quote of Day:
There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want. ~Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

Articles of the Day:
A must-read from NAPFA before you open a self-directed IRA. http://bit.ly/zZ6OVw

The Wall Street Journal talks about the Fed forecasts for 2012: Too much of a good thing? http://on.wsj.com/yH7eoZ

4 tips about 401(k) participants from U.S. News & World Report. http://bit.ly/xhfNKT

CBS News retirement income scorecard: interest and dividends. It answers the question, "How much retirement income can you generate from your 401(k), IRA and retirement savings?" http://bit.ly/wXMbKa

CBS News also highlights baby boomers' $3 trillion nest egg ($3.19 trillion in home equity). http://bit.ly/w5rtol

10 developments that may surprise you from Kiplinger, including the fact that women for the first time will make up the majority of the work force. http://bit.ly/A00F5q

Keep it simple for the best rates of return, according to this MarketWatch article. http://bit.ly/yD6MQG

Millennials are changing the way businesses think...and sell. By 2017, they will have the majority of the buying power. http://bit.ly/w7iYOf

This article looks at pre-death planning with the Roth IRA conversion. http://bit.ly/yu9ywS

A great piece from Mint.com on those in higher education who are majoring in debt and minoring in college. http://bit.ly/AopKn5

Phishing Scams

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:27:00 +0000

Caveat emptor – Consumer beware!

Have you ever received an email, text message or automated phone call from what appears to be your bank or other financial institution warning you that there is a problem with your account? Perhaps you’ve received one informing you that your account has been locked due to too many unsuccessful attempts to access the account, or some other reason that requires you to “verify” or “confirm” your information and/or identity in order to fix the problem? If this sounds familiar, you just might have been scammed due to a process known as “phishing,” which rhymes with “wishing,” as in “I’m wishing this phishing problem never happened.”

Phishing is defined as the act of sending an email or other notification to an individual falsely claiming to be an established, legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the individual into surrendering private information that could be used for identity theft. Here is how the scam may work.

You receive a message containing a link to a “spoofed” website that has all the appearances of being that of your bank or other financial institution or company, but in fact is a bogus one set up to look legitimate. The website requires you to enter confidential information such as your bank account number, ATM PIN, credit card number or social security number. Once you’ve done that, the floodgates have opened and it’s open season on your financial well-being.

“Vishing”, or voice phishing, is a twist on the phishing scam. Instead of asking you to click on a link to a bogus website, the vishing email, text message or phone call will ask you to call a financial institution or a bank to verify your information and/or identity. When you call the number provided, you will be connected to an automated response system or a person pretending to work for the financial institution. You will then be asked to provide personal and confidential information such as your social security number, credit card number or your card’s three-digit security code. As with the phishing scam, once you have provided this information, the scammer can use it to drain your bank account, open other accounts in your name, steal your identity or sell your information to other identity theft criminals.

Here are some tips for identifying a scam:
• You receive an email, text message or automated phone call urgently asking you to verify or confirm information such as your social security number or your bank account number. A legitimate financial institution, the IRS, or Social Security Administration will never call or email you asking to verify or provide this information.

• An email, text message or automated phone call urgently tells you that if you do not verify account information, your account will be frozen.

• An email from your financial institution or from an online vendor includes a link to a website that asks for personal information such as account number, social security number, etc.

How to avoid being scammed:
• If you are still worried about your account being frozen or suspended do not respond to the message or call the number they provide. Call your bank or institution directly.

• Do not enter your bank account number, credit card number, social security number or other personal information into a website to which you were linked through an email.

• Check the legitimacy of website links sent to you in an email by checking for the security padlock on the bottom of the screen or a web address beginning with https.

Unfortunately, scammers will always be out there in one form or another. By being knowledgeable about their methods, you’ll stand a much better chance at thwarting them and keeping your financial well-being intact.

By Marvin Rotenberg and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Mitt Romney's Unorthodox IRA

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:11:00 +0000

Ed Slott discusses Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's unorthodox IRA in this video blog. The Wall Street Journal posted a January 19th article on this topic, and Ed walks you through Romney's reported account value, its pitfalls, tax expenses and more in this video.

How to Retitle an Inherited IRA

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:06:00 +0000

You have just inherited an IRA or employer plan from someone other than your spouse. What now?

The first thing we tell beneficiaries is, “Touch nothing.” At least not until you talk to someone who knows the rules for inherited accounts.

The number one rule for an inherited IRA is never, never, NEVER put the inherited funds into an IRA in your own name. Don’t request a check payable to you either. Both of those actions create a taxable distribution to you, the beneficiary, and you no longer have a tax deferred account.

Of course, maybe you have big plans and you are going to spend all of the money right away so the taxes aren’t a big issue for you. Consider, though, what you are giving up. Let’s say you inherit a $100,000 IRA at age 30. If it earns 6% a year and you take only required distributions each year, the IRA will eventually pay you over $650,000 over the next 54 years. In the first 10 years you will only get a check for $2,000 - $3,000 a year, but you can then write a check in that amount to fund your own IRA or Roth IRA, if you qualify.

The trick is in the titling of the inherited IRA account. You must leave the name of the original account owner in the account title.

For example, John Smith, deceased, IRA for the benefit of (fbo) James Smith.

This does not create a taxable distribution and you can then “stretch” the distributions over your life expectancy.

So, do yourself a favor and touch nothing. Then talk to someone who understands these rules and can show you the potential of the inherited retirement account. Then make an informed decision. If you choose to stretch your inherited account, you can sit back and collect easy money each year. Oh, and be sure to name your own beneficiary on the inherited account. They can continue to collect your payments if anything happens to you before the inherited account is emptied.

By IRA Technical Consultant Beverly DeVeny and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Required Minimum Distributions From All Angles in Mailbag

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This week's Slott Report Mailbag delves into the oftentimes complicated world of required minimum distributions (RMDs). We look at RMDs after conversions, recharacterizations and the "still-working" exception. We also answer a question about when you can recharacterize a Roth IRA conversion. As always, we stress the importance of working with a competent, educated financial advisor to keep your retirement nest egg safe and secure. Find one in your area at this link.

1.

Happy New Year. I get your regular updates from www.irahelp.com and www.theslottreport.com, and they are great!

Send your questions to mailbag@irahelp.com

I may need to access around $11,000 from my Roth IRA, and I want to understand what the cost, fees and tax (if any) implications are. I spoke to a rep over the weekend and he said possibly re-characterizing the conversion could be helpful. Further, he suggested going to irs.gov and researching pub 590 (page 60 chapter 2) as it kind of spells out what the implications would be pertaining to my proposed scenario. So, besides a sales charge, 10% withdrawal penalty and taxes on earnings, what total costs would I be saddled with if I access this money?

If memory serves me correctly, I converted the IRA to Roth in 2010 and my accountant is spreading the taxes over 2 years. This may or may not effect what I am trying to do.

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason De Ruggiero

Answer:
You should look at IRS Pub. 590 as it outlines the rules about recharacterizations and when you can and cannot recharacterize.

If you converted to a Roth in 2010 you had up to October 15, 2011 to recharacterize.

If you have had any Roth IRA established for 5 years and you are over age 59 1/2, there is no problem accessing any funds in your Roth IRA. You can always withdraw a converted amount without incurring a penalty or income taxes if the requirements mentioned above are met. It is generally the earnings in the Roth account that cannot be accessed without income taxes unless certain requirements are met. The ordering rules state that when taking withdrawals all Roth IRAs are considered one account. All contributions are considered to come out first, then converted amounts (first in, first out) and lastly earnings. We can’t be more specific on your situation without knowing what amounts have gone into your Roth accounts, if those amounts were contributions or conversions, your age, and when your first Roth IRA was established.

2.

If a 71-year-old is fully employed this year, contributing to their 401(k), when must they take their first RMD (required minimum distribution)? I have read it’s the year after they retire. If that’s true, do they have to take two distributions (April and December) that year? How long can they delay taking an RMD if they are fully employed? I have read one has to take a distribution the year they turn 75.

Thank you for your help!

Answer:
If you are less than a 5% owner of the company, are still working after age 70 ½, and if the employer plan allows, then you would not have to commence RMDs until the year you separate from service. You should check the plan document or summary plan description to see if the plan has that provision in it. The first RMD is due for the year of separation from service and can be deferred until April 1 of the following year. If it is deferred, then two distributions will have to come out in that year. I believe the age 75 you mentioned applies only to 403(b) plans. In a 403(b) plan, balances prior to 1/1/86 don't have to be used for calculating RMDs at age 70 1/2. Those balances will then be added back in for RMDs when the participant attains age 75.

3.

Good afternoon Ed!

Here are the facts: A 61-year-old taxpayer converted his traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010. In January 2012, he withdraws the entire amount of the converted IRA including contributions, conversion amounts, and earnings.

My question is this. Can the taxpayer contribute only the earnings of the converted IRA back to the converted IRA account to avoid taxation on the earnings in 2012?

Thanks,

Gary

Answer:
A taxpayer has 60 days from the receipt of Roth IRA funds to do a rollover to another Roth IRA account. It is up to the taxpayer to track which Roth funds are derived from contributions to a Roth IRA, conversions to a Roth IRA, and earnings. In addition, all Roth accounts are considered one account for the purposes of the distribution rules. Distributions are deemed to come first from contributions, then conversions (first in, first out), and lastly from earnings. Assuming the taxpayer has emptied all Roth accounts and does only a partial rollover, you would have to assume that the first dollars rolled over would be earnings. You should go through the calculation on Part IV of IRS Form 8606 to see how it will work out.

There will be no tax on the earnings if the taxpayer had established any Roth IRA in 2007 or earlier since he is over the age of 59 ½.

By Marvin Rotenberg and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Money Habits That Destroy Retirement, IRS Guidance on 2010 Roth Conversions, 401(k) Investment Strategies

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Each day, One Day Closer provides the articles from across the worldwide web that help you move one day closer to a sound financial situation, a retirement you always envisioned, a safe and secure financial future for you and your family. This will be added to throughout the day with important articles.

Quote of the Day:
I'm now as free as the breeze - with roughly the same income.
- Gene Perret

Articles of the Day:
The tax code just isn't always fair, and is full of inequalities. This article discusses several of them and how to avoid or get around them. http://bit.ly/xdTvPj

Reuters warns that to maximize your retirement savings, you MUST know the rules. http://reut.rs/wX9RgJ

Are you buried by a deceased relative's debt? This article looks at the complicated issue of the decedent's estate and where to go from there. http://on-msn.com/wW8Ozh

BusinessInsider looks at 5 money habits that will ruin your retirement. http://read.bi/AnJ6oC

Plan sponsors can now help 401(k) plan participants allocate their retirement funds. This article explains. http://bit.ly/zNc6vg

Are municipal bonds still a smart investment? SmartMoney answers that question in this article. http://sm.wsj.com/xckZ2u

SmartMoney is in the business of answering questions today. Another article talks about whether FINRA should have a shorter leash? http://sm.wsj.com/xckZ2u

IRS provides guidance on how to report 2010 Roth conversions on your 2011 tax return. http://1.usa.gov/yYV7Jy

This U.S. News and World Report article chronicles 401(k) investment strategies through the years. http://bit.ly/yORvkv

Form 1040 Changes, Social Security Elections, 401(k) Tax Advantages

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:02:00 +0000

Each day, One Day Closer provides the articles from across the worldwide web that help you move one day closer to a sound financial situation, a retirement you always envisioned, a safe and secure financial future for you and your family. This will be added to throughout the day with important articles.

Quote of the Day:
When you retire, think and act as if you were still working; when you're still working, think and act a bit as if you were already retired.

Articles of the Day:
Before you file your tax return, make sure you know about these changes to Form 1040. http://sm.wsj.com/z7ifFR

A good personal finance article that illustrates how companies are stacking the deck against you with fine print. http://on.wsj.com/wyXa29

The IRS has gone social! Learn how you can spread the word to nearly 3-in-4 workers eligible for the earned income tax credit. http://bit.ly/xTLADf

Fraud of older individuals has grown by leaps and bounds. The Wall Street Journal points out some red flags that may tip you off. http://on.wsj.com/ytlR38

This article from NAPFA discusses how women can successfully plan for their retirement. http://bit.ly/xKR0yP

Do you need to file a tax return this year? This article answers that question as tax filing season is underway. http://bit.ly/yK77nW

SmartMoney looks at the tax advantages of different retirement accounts and answers the question, "What are the tax advantages of the 401(k)?" http://sm.wsj.com/yOtgOS

Choosing the correct Social Security election may be your most important decision of the retirement planning process. This chart puts your math to the test and helps you pick the right election for you. http://bit.ly/yz1M52

A great piece in conceptualization for financial advisors: your clients and prospects don't care that you DO financial planning, they care WHY you do financial planning. http://bit.ly/wmCn69

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Tax Season is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

The dreaded W-2 forms. The equally confounding 1099-Rs. Turbo Tax, Free Tax USA and the like trending on Twitter.

Yes, it is tax season, and with it comes sleepless nights both for CPAs and tax filers nationwide. You could have finished fast with e-filing beginning yesterday, although most still haven't received the necessary forms (W-2) to complete the task. Those forms MUST be in all taxpayers' hands by January 31.

We will be peppering The Slott Report with tax-planning tips, tricks, pitfalls and comprehensive articles over the next several months, but as a refresher and a precursor to our coverage, CLICK HERE to view all articles related to tax planning, and bookmark this site for TAX SEASON WEEK, which will run from February 6 - 10 with articles, photos, a Q&A with a special tax expert, tweets and more to get you prepared for filing your tax return.

Until then, here are some tax-savings tips from an article in the USA Today, which was posted on this site and our Twitter account (@theslottreport) yesterday.

By Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Tax Filing Day, Retirement Action, 401(k) Millionaires

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:02:00 +0000

Each day, One Day Closer provides the articles from across the worldwide web that help you move one day closer to a sound financial situation, a retirement you always envisioned, a safe and secure financial future for you and your family. This will be added to throughout the day with important articles.

Quote of the Day:
I've been attending lots of seminars in my retirement. They're called naps.
~Merri Brownworth

Articles of the Day:
Workers are raiding their retirement accounts, paying less towards college loans. One-in-three retirement plan participants has an outstanding loan. This Reuters article explains. http://reut.rs/Ay4WeN

The Wall Street Journal outlines the stories of 401(k) millionaires and the sacrifices they took to get there. http://bit.ly/wZ29rU

Happy e-filing day! The IRS wants you to e-file...and now. http://on.wsj.com/A0zstp

Don't overdose on debt for your child's education, writes MSN Money's Liz Weston. http://bit.ly/AuWnrm

Don't make these critical 401(k) mistakes that could raid your account. http://bit.ly/xvTGcz

Tax filing season has started! Here are some tips to remember from USA Today. http://usat.ly/wJar4S

3 things this man took his teenage son when he got his first paycheck. http://bit.ly/w82uCQ

Retirement planning requires ACTION says this USA Today article. http://bit.ly/ylMfGo

Life Expectancy Tables and Required Minimum Distributions

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:16:00 +0000

IRS regulations governing required minimum distributions (RMDs) from IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans were in proposed form only from 1987-2000. Sweeping changes to these proposed regulations in 2001 led to the issuance of long-awaited final regulations in 2002, dramatically altering the way owners and beneficiaries of these accounts and plans calculate the distributions they are mandated to take from them.

The correct age to reference in any of the tables corresponds to the age of the IRA owner, plan participant or beneficiary as of December 31 of the year in question. For individuals taking their first distribution due to attainment of age 70 ½, the life expectancy factor for age 70 will be used for those born between January 1 and June 30th, while age 71 will be used for those born between July 1 and December 31.

Key components of these revised regulations were the introduction of a new life expectancy table to be used by most IRA owners and plan participants and increases in life expectancy factors for the two existing tables, reflecting the longer lives lived by modern-day individuals. Introduction of the new life expectancy table was also an attempt by the IRS to answer pleas made by consumers and practitioners for simplification of the RMD rules, which were considered extremely onerous to satisfy and often resulted in financially severe consequences to those unable to master their complexities.

These life expectancy tables are identified and described below, and are also available at our website (www.irahelp.com) under the “IRA Resources” tab, as well as in Appendix C of IRS Publication 590 (www.irs.gov under “Forms and Publications”). It is critically important that RMDs be calculated using the appropriate life expectancy table. Any shortfall in the timely payment of an RMD may result in the assessment of an IRS excise tax penalty equal to 50% of the amount not withdrawn. As you can see, our government is deadly serious about the accurate and timely payment of RMDs from IRAs and other retirement plans.

Uniform Lifetime Table

The Uniform Lifetime Table, introduced via the revised proposed regulations of 2001 and incorporated into the final regulations of 2002, is used only by IRA owners and plan participants for calculating lifetime-required distributions. Under this table, the beneficiary is considered to be exactly 10 years younger than the owner or participant, regardless of the beneficiary’s actual age or even if no beneficiary has been designated.

Users of this table reference it annually to obtain the new life expectancy factor for the year. An individual can’t outlive it as it never reaches zero. Beneficiaries never use this table.

Joint Life Expectancy Table

The Joint Life Expectancy Table is used only by IRA owners and plan participants whose sole beneficiary for the entire year is their spouse who is more than 10 years younger. Use of this table provides for a longer life expectancy factor than that yielded by the Uniform Table, resulting in a smaller RMD.

The “sole beneficiary for the entire year” rule is determined using the IRA owner’s or plan participant’s marital status as of January 1 of each year. It is satisfied even if the spouse beneficiary dies during the year, regardless of whether a new beneficiary is named. It also applies in the case of divorce, provided a new beneficiary is not named in the same year.

As is the case with the Uniform Lifetime Table, owners reference this table each year to obtain their new life expectancy factor for RMD purposes, they can’t outlive the table, and beneficiaries are never allowed to use it.

It should also be noted that IRA owners and plan participants are allowed to switch between the Uniform Lifetime Table and the Joint Life Expectancy Table if any beneficiary changes they make from one year to the next qualifies them to do so.

Single Life Expectancy Table

The Single Life Expectancy Table is used only by beneficiaries to compute RMDs on inherited retirement accounts. It can never be used by IRA owners or plan participants to compute their lifetime-required distributions.

This table is accessed only once, in the year following the year of the IRA owner or plan participant’s death, to determine the beneficiary’s life expectancy factor. This life factor is then reduced by one in each passing year until it is fully exhausted.

There is an exception for spouses who are the decedent’s sole beneficiary and don’t take over the account as their own (or rollover the assets into a retirement account in their own name). They use the table annually to recalculate their life expectancy factor for the new year. These spouses can never outlive the table.

Final Thoughts

Each table yields a specific life expectancy factor for a given distribution year. The market value of the IRA or retirement plan in question as of the previous December 31 is divided by the applicable life expectancy factor, resulting in the correct RMD amount to be paid for the year. Once this minimum is satisfied, account owners and beneficiaries can always take more than the minimum amount. So, even with simplification, the RMD rules remain complicated. The assistance of a financial advisor who is trained in the nuances of this topic will be very valuable when it comes time for you to begin taking RMDs.

By Marvin Rotenberg and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

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*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Ed Slott's Retirement Planning Life Events

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Things in life change every year. You get a new job. You lose a job. You get divorced. You get re-marriaged. Other life events such as death or the birth of a child also trigger retirement plan changes. Ed Slott details the events to watch out for and the important papers that will need updating in this video from IRAtv.

Choosing Right Financial Advisor, Employers and Retirement Plans, 8 Common Credit Myths

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:02:00 +0000

2011 Roth IRA Conversion Deadline

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

This question comes up ever January. Can I still do a Roth conversion for last year? After all, I have until April 15th to make a contribution to my IRA or Roth IRA for last year, so can I still do a conversion for last year?

The answer is no. While there may be an exception for contributions, there is no corresponding exception for conversions (or distributions). In order to have a 2011 Roth conversion, the funds must leave the IRA or employer plan by December 31, 2011.

The funds do not have to be in the Roth IRA by that date, but they must be out of the IRA by the end of the year. You can do a 60-day rollover where the funds leave the IRA on December 10, 2011 and are deposited in the Roth IRA on February 8, 2012. This is a 2011 conversion since the funds left the IRA in 2011.

If you missed the 2011 deadline and still want to do a Roth conversion, make sure you do not miss the deadline for 2012. You still have those low income tax rates in effect for 2012 so be sure to take advantage of them.

By IRA Technical Consultant Beverly DeVeny and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Teachers and 403(b) Plans, 8 Facts to Determine Tax Filing Status, Focus on Cash Flow

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Each day, One Day Closer provides the articles from across the worldwide web that help you move one day closer to a sound financial situation, a retirement you always envisioned, a safe and secure financial future for you and your family. This will be added to throughout the day with important articles.

Quote of the Day:
The question isn't at what age I want to retire, it's at what income.
— George Foreman

Articles of the Day:
During the downturn, more older Americans are employed than every before. How many more? This Washington Post article takes a look. http://wapo.st/zxCPVP

Another goodie from the IRS: 8 facts to help determine your correct filing status. http://1.usa.gov/ylw6Au

Big changes are coming to teachers' 403(b) plans as they evolve into more like corporate 401(k) plans. http://on.wsj.com/wE0W4P

How much should people have saved in their 401(k) plan at different ages? This article provides the details. http://bit.ly/zBvBeA

Knowledge is power. This Business Insider article reveals that knowing how IRAs work could mean the difference between getting rich and losing your retirement. http://read.bi/yGuaw2

Why aren't banks lending more? Both sides have their say in this Yahoo! Finance article. http://yhoo.it/Aqo8eV

This FOX Business article talks about how boomers can get their retirement back on track in 2012. http://fxn.ws/AuLc2Q

AARP provides 5 habits that get, and keep, you in debt. http://aarp.us/wLBbQQ

Focus on cash flow for retirement. Seems simple, right? This U.S. News and World Report article looks at the math. http://yhoo.it/y752ca

10 Worst States to Retire In, Risk of 529 Savings Plans, IRS Scammers

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:23:00 +0000

The IRS doesn't want you to fall for scammers posing AS the IRS. This release provides some helpful tips to avoid the phishing fraud. go.usa.gov/RN7

Make a New Year's resolution to get an estate plan checkup, according to this article from Forbes. http://onforb.es/yCC0Rg

Going extreme in simplifying your finances produces some extreme results. This article from Forbes discusses the cause and effect. http://onforb.es/wcYiYy

MarketWatch gives its investment trends of the year for 2012. http://bit.ly/yWNL36

Inherited IRAs and IRA Contributions Highlight Mailbag

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:49:00 +0000

This week's Slott Report Mailbag answers questions on inherited IRAs (beneficiary forms vs. wills), splitting an IRA at death and IRA contributions. As always, we stress the importance of working with a competent, educated financial advisor to keep your retirement nest egg safe and secure. Find one in your area at this link.

Send Questions to mailbag@irahelp.com

1.

One of four children was made the sole beneficiary of an inherited IRA. The decedent’s will clearly states that all assets are to be divided equally among the 4 heirs (the children). Can the sole beneficiary make a qualified disclaimer to the IRA custodian, allowing the four children to be the beneficiaries thereby allowing the custodian to issue the 1099R (upon distribution) to the four children equally?

Answer:
The beneficiary form governs where the money from the IRA goes, regardless of what the will states. The sole beneficiary can disclaim all or a part of the inherited IRA within nine months of the death of the IRA owner. The disclaimed portion will then go to the contingent beneficiary named on the designation of beneficiary form. If there is no contingent beneficiary named on the form you will have to refer to the custodian's IRA agreement to determine the default beneficiary. If, by default, the estate is the contingent beneficiary, which is often the case, the other three children would not be able to use their own life expectancies to stretch the inherited IRA. Their distribution option will depend on the age of the account owner at the time of death.

2.

Dear Ed,

An 83-year-old woman and NY resident has an IRA and is making the minimum withdrawals. She wants to leave the IRA to her four sons as an inheritance and has named all four as beneficiaries. A question came up about how the funds would transfer after her death given that all of her children are at varying ages (56, 54, 47, 44). There was a concern that it would not be distributed evenly between them. Any insights are appreciated.

Answer:
The first thing you want to do is check the designation of beneficiary form on file with the IRA custodian. That will indicate who the beneficiaries are and what percentage they are entitled to. In this case, you want each child to receive one-quarter share.

At the death of the IRA owner, the account should be split, no later than 12/31 of the year following the year of death death, into separate inherited IRAs. If this is done correctly then each beneficiary can use their own life expectancy to stretch their annual RMDs. The way this is accomplished is via a trustee-to-trustee transfer, directly from the decedent’s account to the inherited IRA account.

When establishing the inherited IRAs make sure the decedent's name is in the title.

For example: Mary Smith IRA deceased (date of death) FBO child's name.

In this scenario, each child inherits an equal amount. The distributions over their lifetimes, if everyone takes only the required minimums, will not be equal, as the younger siblings will receive more in total than the older siblings. The trade-off is that they get less each year than the older siblings.

3.

I mistakenly contributed to my SEP IRA for two years after my business was closed instead of contributing to my regular IRA. How can I correct this?

Mary

Answer:
I'm assuming you are referring to your personal IRA contribution amount. That is okay so long as you had earned income to support the contribution in that year. In addition the contribution amount should not exceed the contribution limit for that year. The contribution limit is $5,000, however, if you are age 50 or older by 12/31 of that year you can contribute an additional $1,000 for a total of $6,000.

By Marvin Rotenberg and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Ed Slott's 3 New Year's Retirement Planning Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:53:00 +0000

It's a New Year, and Ed Slott brings you his 3 New Year's Retirement Planning Resolutions in this week's video blog. We hope you enjoy the video and make sure to share it with friends, family and colleagues as well as view more videos at our YouTube page, IRAtv.

Stretching Your IRA

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:41:00 +0000

If you don't need all the funds currently in your IRA you might want to "stretch" them. This refers to the process of extending the term of your IRA over multiple lifetimes through the use of existing distribution rules, the power of tax beneficial compounding and sound estate planning techniques.

The stretch maximizes compounding.

The best way to do this with a traditional IRA is to leave it alone and then only withdraw annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) from it once you attain age 70 ½. No distributions from a Roth IRA are required during your lifetime, so if you have one, all the money can stay there and continue to grow tax-free. In both cases, the objective is for the bulk of the funds to be inherited by your heirs, lasting through their lifetimes, while continuing to generate additional wealth through those years.

All the fun begins when you die. (isn’t that always the case?) Your beneficiary will have to take RMDs based on their single life expectancy commencing in the year after your death. This is also true for a Roth IRA. The only difference is that distributions from a Roth IRA will be fully tax-free, provided at least five tax years have passed since you first established a Roth IRA. Until that time, any earnings that are distributed will be subject to tax (but don’t worry about this too much, as earnings are the last dollars distributed from a Roth).

To the extent your surviving spouse is the beneficiary of your IRA he or she can roll some or all of it over into his or her own IRA or simply keep it in your account and be subject to the RMD rules as a beneficiary. In the latter case, if you die before attaining age 70 ½, your spouse can wait until the year you would have reached age 70 ½ to begin to begin taking mandatory payments if he or she is your sole beneficiary.

If you are looking to stretch the IRA over a long period of time you might want to consider naming a child, grandchild, or other younger individual as beneficiary. Doing so will result in a smaller annual distribution due to their longer life expectancy periods, leaving more assets in the IRA with the opportunity to generate additional wealth for the beneficiary.

If the thought of leaving younger beneficiaries with direct control over how rapidly funds can be withdrawn from your IRA following your death distresses you, consider using an intervening trust as beneficiary to control the flow of dollars to these individuals. This will cost you a bit more, but it will be well worth the money if it puts you at ease. You’ll need to employ the services of a qualified financial advisor or attorney to help put this in place, as the rules here are very stringent.

If you are inheriting an IRA make sure the new account is titled correctly. For example, Bill Lee dies and his two children are named equally as his primary beneficiaries. By December 31 of the year following the year of death, two separate beneficiary-inherited IRAs must be established and completely funded (one half to each) and the title of the inherited IRAs should read:

Bill Lee IRA Deceased, [date of death], FBO (name of the child).

The account title can in no way reflect the beneficiary as direct owner, otherwise the assets will be considered distributed and subject to income tax, as applicable.

Professor Albert Einstein once said “the most powerful force in the universe is exponential notation.” We know this within the context of the compounding of money. You should know it the same way and one of the best examples of this is a stretch IRA.

By Marvin Rotenberg and Jared Trexler
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Comment, Question, Discussion Topic on your mind? Click on the Blue Comment Link below and leave your thoughts then check back to see what other consumers and advisors think.

Also, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and show us you approve with the Google +1 app under each title.

*Copyright 2012 Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Picking a Tax Preparer, Money Resolutions, Credit Blunders and How to Fix Them

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:06:00 +0000

Each day, One Day Closer provides the articles from across the worldwide web that help you move one day closer to a sound financial situation, a retirement you always envisioned, a safe and secure financial future for you and your family. This will be added to throughout the day with important articles.

Quote of the Day:
Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money.
— Jonathan Clements

Articles of the Day:
Here are 10 tips from the IRS on how to pick on a tax preparer that is best for you. http://1.usa.gov/xJe0hy

Are you trying to keep your money resolutions in 2012. Stay strong and follow this Wall Street Journal article. http://on.wsj.com/xwH8nA

Scary fact that strikes at the heart of spend what you have. The United States' debt is now equal to the economy, according to this USA Today article. http://usat.ly/AEcsZo

Delaying retirement: it's happening everywhere. Is 80 the new 65? Yes, according to this article from CNN. http://cnnmon.ie/yszMmX

This article highlights three things you MUST know before filling out a FAFSA for financial aid. http://bit.ly/wan4Ws

A written discussion in big credit blunders and how they can be fixed from AARP. http://aarp.us/ybWxn1

UPDATED 4 PM ET

How generous should parents be if their older children need money? http://on.wsj.com/AEkqFJ

Is the golden age ending? The Wall Street Journal examines. http://on.wsj.com/AuIPlf

Do you need to file a tax return this year? Find out right from the IRS' mouth. http://1.usa.gov/A3P3iH

Variable annuity guarantees disappoint over time, according to Robert Powell's article in MarketWatch. http://bit.ly/A7PaAZ

Teaching Financial Skills to Children, Passing Down Your Vacation Home, IRS' Helpful Features

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:12:00 +0000

Ed Slott's Retirement Savings Time Bomb

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Ed Slott just updated his book, "Ed Slott's Retirement Savings Time Bomb...and How to Defuse It" (Penguin, 2012). He tackles the new tax laws in a 400-page MUST for everyone planning for their financial future. In this video, Ed talks about the book and provides you with a first look at a copy hot of the press!

Producer's eSource article: 3 Bizarre IRA Rules to Enhance Your Image

noreply@blogger.com (Jared Trexler) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:27:00 +0000

The Slott Report's Jeffrey Levine wrote a recent article for Producer's eSource titled, "3 Bizarre IRA Rules to Enhance Your Image." This article walks through 3 of the more uncommon parts of the tax code that will impress and showcase your education and desire to help consumers keep more of the money they earn.

The first item is the difference between Roth IRA Conversions and Roth IRA Contributions. You can read about that item and the other two by CLICKING THIS LINK.