Markets continue to climb. That is good news for your retirement account. However, there is a downside. When you contribute to a traditional IRA or a pre-tax 401(k), you make a deal with Uncle Sam. You can get a tax deduction and tax deferral on any earnings in your account. However, eventually, the government is going to want its share and will require funds to come out of these accounts. That is when you must start the required minimum distributions (RMDs). You may not need the money, and you may not want the tax hit. Bigger retirement account balances can mean larger tax bills. Here are some strategies that can help reduce your RMD tax bite.

1: Do a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

If you are planning on giving money to charity anyway, why not do a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA? For 2024, if you are age 70 ½, you may transfer up to $105,000 annually from your IRA to a charity tax-free. The QCD can also satisfy your RMD (if the QCD is made before the RMD is taken), but without the tax hit. QCDs are not available from employer plans.

2: Use the Still-Working Exception

Are you still working after age 73? If you do not own more than 5% of the company where you work and the company plan offers a “still working exception,” you may be able to delay taking RMDs from your company plan until April 1 following the year you retire. The still-working exception is not available for IRAs but if your plan allows, you can roll your pre-tax IRA funds to your plan and delay RMDs on these funds too. Just be careful. If you have an RMD for that year from your IRA, you must take it before you can roll over the rest of the funds.

3: Consider a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract

A Qualifying Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC) is a product designed to help with longevity concerns. Any funds you invest in the QLAC are not included in your balance when it comes to calculating your RMDs until you reach age 85. This will reduce your RMDs. SECURE 2.0 has changed the rules for QLACs by increasing the dollar limit and doing away with restrictions on the percentage of the account limits. The maximum QLAC limit is now $200,000 per person.

4: Convert to a Roth IRA

If reducing the taxation of RMDs is a top concern for you, you may want to consider a Roth IRA conversion or an in-plan 401(k) conversion. This is because you are not required to take RMDs from your Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) during your lifetime. Keep in mind you will need to take your 2024 RMD from your traditional IRA prior to converting to a Roth IRA. Also, both Roth IRA conversions and in-plan 401(k) conversions are taxable events. There is a big payoff though. You will never have to worry about the tax bite of an RMD ever again.

 

By Sarah Brenner, JD
Director of Retirement Education

Copyright © 2024, Ed Slott and Company, LLC Reprinted from The Slott Report, 2024, with permission. Ed Slott and Company, LLC takes no responsibility for the current accuracy of this article. Content posted in Ed Slott’s IRA Corner was developed and produced by Ed Slott & Co. to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. Ed Slott and Ed Slott & Co. are not affiliated with Ethos Capital Management, Inc. 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.  The tax information provided is general in nature and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Information is derived from sources deemed to be reliable. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal, or tax situation. Tax rules and regulations are subject to change at any time. Ethos Capital Management, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. The firm only conducts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded from registration requirements. Registration is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability.