Planning for Taxes in Retirement

Planning for retirement goes beyond merely saving money or planning your next holiday destination. It involves a comprehensive approach that takes into account various elements like healthcare, lifestyle, and taxes. As retirees, taxes continue to be an undeniable aspect of our lives and could significantly impact your retirement savings. Understanding how different income streams and investments are taxed during retirement can provide the roadmap toward a secure, fulfilling retirement.

Determining Your Taxable Income and Estimated Taxes in Retirement

To plan for taxes in retirement, you should start by understanding your income streams and how they are subject to taxation. Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement accounts, nonretirement investments, rental income, part-time work, and other potential sources of income can all contribute to your taxable income in retirement. Once you’ve figured out how much of your income will be taxable, you need to estimate your tax rate. Keep in mind that the tax rates might fluctuate, so it’s wise to prepare for potential changes to avoid surprises.

Types of Accounts and Their Tax Implications

Understanding the tax implications associated with different types of accounts is crucial as part of your retirement tax strategy. Each account type has its own tax rules that can significantly impact your retirement savings and income. Here’s a brief overview of different types of accounts and how they’re taxed.

Qualified Retirement Accounts

Retirement accounts come in different types, and one key distinction is whether they are tax-deferred or tax-free. Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are tax-deferred. This means you don’t pay taxes on the money you contribute now, but you’ll pay taxes on it when you take it out during retirement.

Roth Accounts

On the other hand, Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s are tax-free accounts, where you contribute money that you’ve already paid taxes on, and when you withdraw funds during retirement, you don’t have to pay taxes on those distributions. This tax-free advantage can be particularly beneficial for individuals who expect to be in a higher tax bracket during retirement or who want to minimize future tax liabilities.

Qualified vs Non-Qualified Annuities

Annuities are an excellent option to provide a steady income stream in retirement, but their tax treatment varies depending on whether they are qualified (IRA) or non-qualified. The entire distribution from a qualified annuity is taxable. Non-qualified annuities, on the other hand, use after-tax dollars for purchasing. Only the earnings portion of non-qualified annuity payments is subject to tax as ordinary income, not the principal.

Non-IRA Taxable Investment Accounts

Non-IRA taxable investment accounts, commonly referred to as brokerage accounts have their taxation dependent on two factors: the type of income generated from the investments held in the account and how long you hold the asset. Below is an outline of the different types of tax based on these two factors.

1. Capital Gains Tax

In a brokerage account, when you sell an investment (e.g., stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.), you may incur capital gains or capital losses. These gains are the profits made from selling an investment at a higher price than what you paid for it. Capital gains can be categorized as either short-term (held for one year or less) or long-term (held for more than one year). The tax rate on short-term capital gains is generally higher than the rate on long-term capital gains.

2. Dividend Income

If the investments in your brokerage account pay dividends, these dividends are typically taxable as ordinary income. The tax rate on qualified dividends, which meet certain criteria, can be lower than the tax rate on ordinary dividends.

3. Interest Income

Interest earned from investments in your brokerage account, such as from bonds or money market funds, is generally taxable as ordinary income.

4. Tax on Withdrawals

Unlike retirement accounts like Traditional IRAs or 401(k)s, brokerage accounts do not have specific tax advantages for contributions. When you withdraw money from a brokerage account, you won’t owe taxes on the amount you originally invested (your cost basis), but you will owe taxes on any capital gains, dividends, or interest earned from the investments.

Taxable investment accounts, do not offer upfront tax breaks. However, they do provide flexibility as they do not come with withdrawal penalties before retirement and can be used essentially as needed similar to a traditional savings account.

Health Savings Accounts

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are triple tax-advantaged: your contribution is tax-deductible, the account grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free. This makes HSAs an appealing option for healthcare costs in retirement.

Building a Tax-Efficient Retirement Strategy

Building a successful retirement strategy requires careful planning to minimize your tax liability. Here are some tips:

• Diversify account types. A mix of tax-deferred, Roth, and taxable accounts can provide flexibility in managing your tax liabilities in retirement.
• Invest according to your life chapter. If you’re in a high tax bracket now but expect to be in a lower one in retirement, tax-deferred accounts might be beneficial. Conversely, consider Roth accounts if you’re in a low tax bracket now but expect to be in a higher one in retirement.
• Utilize employer matching. Take full advantage of employer contributions in your 401(k). It’s essentially free money.
• Invest in an HSA. An HSA can be a valuable tool for covering healthcare costs in retirement due to its triple tax advantages.
• Use a brokerage account. Since some of these accounts don’t have early withdrawal penalties, unless they are an IRA, they can provide an income stream in early retirement before you tap into your retirement accounts.
• Trust in financial experts. Financial experts can provide personalized advice and guide you through the complexities of retirement tax planning.

Planning Ahead with an Expert

Certainly, a tax-efficient retirement plan enables you to savor more of the rewards of your hard work rather than carrying the burden of tax worries. Take time to understand these strategies, consult with a professional, and build a retirement plan that serves your unique needs and circumstances.

As you plan for your future, working toward a tax-efficient retirement strategy is essential. The experts at DeWitt& Dunn are here to help you navigate these complexities. With our years of experience, we can guide you in creating a retirement plan tailored to your specific needs. Contact DeWitt & Dunn today, and let us help you begin to build a retirement strategy that maximizes your income and minimizes your tax liabilities.