Skip to content

Tax Strategies for Retirement Portfolios

Tax-deferred financial vehicles are an effective way to accumulate assets while you’re working. However, once retired, individuals should carefully consider how (and when) to position assets to help optimize growth and income while reducing their tax liability. The following are some points to remember about distributions.

Taxable Investment Portfolio

  • Short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates
  • Long-term capital gains (investments held one year or longer) are subject to capital gains tax of up to 20%, depending on your tax bracket

Traditional IRA

  • Tax-deductible contributions grow tax-deferred until withdrawn
  • Required minimum distributions begin at age 70 ½
  • All distributions are taxed at ordinary income rates

Roth IRA

  • Post-tax contributions are not subject to income tax
  • Earnings are generally tax-free after age 59 ½

Non-qualified Annuity

  • Post-tax contributions are not subject to income tax
  • Earnings are taxed as ordinary income

Qualified Annuity

  • Tax-deductible contributions grow tax-deferred until withdrawn
  • Required minimum distributions begin at age 70 ½
  • Distributions are taxed at ordinary income rates

Life Insurance Contract Cash Value

  • Generally, distributions in the form of policy loans are tax free
  • Interest earnings that are credited to your policy are generally tax free when paid in the form of a death benefit, but are taxed as ordinary income if the policy owner surrenders the policy.

Most retirees are in a lower tax bracket once they stop working. If a retiree is in the 15 percent tax bracket, earnings from a taxable investment portfolio will no longer be subject to a capital gains tax. Every individual’s situation varies, so it’s important to consult with a tax advisor and a financial advisor about the most tax-efficient ways to withdraw or reposition assets during retirement.1

Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce available cash values and death benefits and may cause the policy to lapse, or affect guarantees against lapse. Additional premium payments may be required to keep the policy in force.

The content provided in this newsletter is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. You are encouraged to consult your personal tax advisor or attorney.

Although there is no up-front tax deduction for Roth IRA contributions, qualified distributions are income tax free. If properly structured, proceeds from life insurance are also generally income tax free.

1 Danielle Andrus. Think Advisor. Aug. 25, 2016. “How to Build Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Strategies for Retirement.” http://www.thinkadvisor.com/2016/08/25/how-to-build-tax-efficient-withdrawal-strategies-f?slreturn=1484844384&page_all=1. Accessed Jan. 31, 2017.

Leave a Comment