Episode 125: Mailbag – Should I take Social Security Early?

These are two core areas of planning so let’s talk through how they should come to a decision.

This episode is a fun blend of sports and finance, offering a fresh perspective on how lessons from the football field can apply to your financial life.

Instead of diving into one topic, we’re going to tackle two separate planning items thanks to a couple questions from Bobby and Roy.

We’ve all seen stats about how much the average American has saved for retirement. But let’s be honest- being “average” when it comes to retirement savings isn’t likely to provide the lifestyle you want in your golden years. Instead, David will share some practical benchmarks you can use to measure your progress.

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed the SECURE Act 2.0, a new set of rules designed to help investors who wanted to contribute to retirement plans. Many of these changes were intended to give investors more flexibility and new ways to enhance their retirement strategies. It was a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019, which was also an important piece of legislation aimed at helping investors save more effectively. Both the SECURE Act and SECURE Act 2.0 have dozens of provisions, including new rules that may impact retirement. Here are a few things you might want to know about how the SECURE Act 2.0 changed required minimum distribution (RMD) rules and how qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) may fit into how you choose to take these distributions. Remember, this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice. We encourage you to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your retirement income strategy. The SECURE Act 2.0 and Required Minimum Distributions RMDs are the amount of money that investors must withdraw each year from certain retirement accounts. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. You can begin taking penalty-free withdrawals at 59½ or earlier in some cases if you have experienced a qualifying life event. In the past, retirement distributions were required beginning at age 70½. Under SECURE Act legislation, investors can wait until age 72 or age 73 if they turn 72 after December 31st, 2022. 1 Forgetting to take these required distributions can come with penalties! The penalty was previously a 50% excise tax. Still, the SECURE Act 2.0 reduced that penalty to 25%, or 10%, if the minimum distribution oversight is corrected within two years and the proper paperwork is filed. In some cases, that penalty may be waived altogether if the account owner made a “reasonable error” and took documented steps to correct the oversight. 1 The Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) Approach to Required Minimum Distributions QCDs can offer an opportunity to support your favorite causes and manage your retirement income. They allow those who are obligated to take RMDs to donate those funds directly from specific retirement accounts to qualified charities without recognizing the distribution as taxable income. Here’s how it works: Individual retirement account (IRA) withdrawals are generally taxable, but QCDs are excluded from taxable income, meaning they do not increase your adjusted gross income. For some, this may be a strategy to consider when balancing supporting a charitable organization with managing taxes. You must be at least 70½ years old to qualify for a QCD. The distribution can be made from an IRA. You can also donate from a SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA as long as they are inactive, meaning that you’ve made no contributions to the account in the year the QCD is distributed. However, remember that 401(k)s and other non-IRA retirement vehicles do not qualify for QCDs. To qualify for the tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA QCD distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain circumstances, such as the owner’s death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals. The maximum annual limit for QCDs is currently set at $108,000 for 2025, an amount that adjusts annually for inflation. Therefore, staying updated on the annual cap is important, as it can influence your donation strategy. It’s prudent to confirm the status of your chosen charity through the IRS Online Search Tool or by consulting a professional who can speak to the tax status of the organization. If you withdraw and then donate the funds, it does not count as a QCD and becomes taxable. As with many financial strategies, your state may have specific rules impacting how QCDs are treated. It’s vital to check with a tax professional about state-specific regulations. A financial professional can help you take your RMDs or set up QCDs. In addition, if you have any questions or concerns about how the changes enacted by the SECURE Act or SECURE Act 2.0 might affect your retirement strategy, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you make the most of these updates and navigate your retirement strategy. 1. IRS.gov The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Join David for part two of our series on 2024 stocking stuffers for financial freedom.

The holiday season is here, and while you’re stuffing stockings for your loved ones, don’t forget to stuff your own financial stocking with tips that can bring you closer to a secure retirement.

As you build your legacy, considering how to leverage your charitable contributions can be a fulfilling endeavor. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can offer an opportunity to support your favorite causes and manage your retirement income. Here are some factors to consider with QCDs and how they've changed based on recent legislation, such as the SECURE Act. What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)? A Qualified Charitable Distribution allows individuals aged 70½ or older to donate directly from specific retirement accounts to qualified charities without recognizing the distribution as taxable income. Such distributions can help you manage your required minimum distributions (RMDs). Additionally, the SECURE Act 2.0 changed the age of RMDs to 73. 1 Remember, this email is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice. We encourage you to consult with your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your retirement income strategy. 1 Age and Account Requirements. You must be at least 70½ years old to qualify for a QCD. The distribution can be made from an IRA. You can use SEP IRAs or SIMPLE IRAs so long as they are inactive, meaning that you’ve made no contributions to the account in the year the QCD is taken. However, keep in mind that 401(k)s and other non-IRA retirement vehicles do not qualify for QCDs. 1 Once you reach age 73, you must begin taking RMDs from a traditional IRA, SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA in most circumstances. Withdrawals from traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. To qualify for the tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals. 1 Limits and Adjustments. The maximum annual limit for QCDs is currently set at $100,000 for 2024, an amount that adjusts for inflation yearly. Therefore, staying updated on the annual cap is important, as it can influence your donation strategy. 1 Financial Pros and Cons. In addition to helping you support a charity, a QCD may also offer to help you manage your tax situation. IRA withdrawals are generally taxable, but QCDs are excluded from taxable income, meaning they don’t increase your adjusted gross income (AGI). For some, this may be an opportunity to consider when balancing supporting a charitable organization and managing taxes. Additionally, QCDs may enable you to satisfy your RMD requirements. You also benefit from the fact that you might not need to itemize deductions to take advantage of a QCD, allowing you to use the standard deduction. 1 Again, this article is for informational purposes only. Speak with your tax, legal, and accounting professionals if you have specific questions about your deductions. Charity and RMD Considerations. QCDs are versatile in that there is no restriction on the number of charities you can support, provided they qualify under IRS guidelines. However, the donation must go directly from your IRA to the charity to be a QCD. Gifts made as QCDs can fulfill all or part of your annual RMD requirement. It's worth noting that if you donate over your RMD amount, the excess cannot be rolled over to the following year's RMD. Final Key Details. It's prudent to confirm the status of your chosen charity through the IRS Online Search Tool or by consulting with a professional who can speak to the organization's tax status. If you withdraw and then donate the funds, it does not count as a QCD and becomes taxable. As with most financial strategies, your state may have specific rules impacting how QCDs are treated. Check with a tax professional about state-specific regulations. 1.IRS.gov, 2024 This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm.

Now that Trump is returning to the White House, it’s time to start looking at what policies his administration is considering and what those decisions could mean for your portfolio.