2019 Retirement Planning Tips

As we approach the final weeks of the year, here is some helpful information about retirement, education accounts, and health savings accounts.

As year-end quickly approaches, it’s an ideal time review the myriad of rules that apply to retirement, education, and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

During our November 19th webinar,”2019 Year-End Focus: Retirement, Health Care and Education Opportunities,” we discussed a year-end checklist, a myriad of Roth strategies, required minimum distributions (RMD) rules and traps, and more. Click here to catch the replay.

If you were unable to attend the webinar, I’ve assembled a compendium of resources covering the key topics discussed.

• SECURE Act 
• Funding a Roth IRA for children
• Funding a Roth IRA for seniors
• Back-door Roth IRA 
• 529 Able Accounts 
• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
• Health Savings Accounts 
   

Advisors, if you have additional questions, please contact your Lord Abbett representative at 888-522-2388.

To comply with Treasury Department regulations, we inform you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any tax information contained herein is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or any other applicable tax law, or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction, arrangement, or other matter.

The information is being provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. You should consult your own legal or tax advisor for guidance on regulatory compliance matters. Any examples provided are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be reflective of actual results.

The information provided is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information about Lord Abbett's products and services and to otherwise provide general investment education. None of the information provided should be regarded as a suggestion to engage in or refrain from any investment-related course of action as neither Lord Abbett nor its affiliates are undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, act as an impartial adviser, or give advice in a fiduciary capacity. If you are an individual retirement investor, contact your financial advisor or other fiduciary about whether any given investment idea, strategy, product or service may be appropriate for your circumstances.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Traditional IRA contributions plus earnings, interest, dividends, and capital gains may compound tax-deferred until you withdraw them as retirement income. Amounts withdrawn from traditional IRA plans are generally included as taxable income in the year received and may be subject to 10% federal tax penalties if withdrawn prior to age 59½, unless an exception applies.

A Roth IRA is a tax-deferred and potentially tax-free savings plan available to all working individuals and their spouses who meet the IRS income requirements. Distributions, including accumulated earnings, may be made tax-free if the account has been held at least five years and the individual is at least 59½, or if any of the IRS exceptions apply. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, but withdrawals during retirement are generally tax-free.

A 401(k) is a qualified plan established by employers to which eligible employees may make salary deferral (salary reduction) contributions on an aftertax and/or pretax basis. Employers offering a 401(k) plan may make matching or nonelective contributions to the plan on behalf of eligible employees and may also add a profit-sharing feature to the plan. Earnings accrue on a tax-deferred basis.

Required minimum distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your account each year. You generally have to start taking withdrawals from your IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or retirement plan account when you reach age 70½. Roth IRAs do not require withdrawals until after the death of the owner.

A health savings account is a savings account that lets employees set aside money on a pretax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses.

An ABLE Account, also called a 529A account, allows individuals with disabilities and their families a tax-advantaged way to save money for disability-related expenses of the account’s designated beneficiary. Contributions to an ABLE account may be made by any person (the account beneficiary, family and friends) using post-taxed dollars. The ABLE account was created with the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014, or the ABLE Act.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future education costs. 529 plans, legally known as “qualified tuition plans,” are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.