Page 53 - The Informed Fed--Hearn Wealth Management
P. 53

The TSP also has a lot of the same pitfalls of the 401k. First, it was
                        originally designed as a tax shelter, but has never been as effective as

                        intended.  In  a  401k,  taxes  are  deferred  on  contributions  while  an
                        employee is working and are assessed as  income when the  funds  are
                        withdrawn during retirement. The theory was that this would be at a

                        lower tax rate, thereby creating a tax shelter on both the contributions
                        and the earnings. The tax savings have been minimal from the beginning.

                        The cost of living has steadily increased, as has the standard of living.
                                                                                               l Security





                        withdrawals  from  savings  will  frequently  result  in  an  end-of-year  tax
                        bracket that is similar to pre-retirement rates, and those rates continue

                        to climb. In fact, most 401k funds that are withdrawn in retirement are
                        assessed at an equal or higher tax rate than they would have been when
                        they were deposited. Many retirees experience no tax savings through

                        401k income, and will see as much as one-third of their funds lost to
                        taxes.

                            Until  an  employee  reaches  the  age  of  59½,  401k  funds  are
                        inaccessible without penalty or interest. The IRS is your silent partner
                        who will demand their part during distributions. In fact, they will demand

                        their portion when you turn 72 years old. This is known as Required
                        Minimum  Distribution.  Because  taxes  have  not  been  paid,  the  IRS

                        regulates  those  funds  very  carefully  and  has  a  vested  interest  in  the
                        account. If you withdraw funds prior to age 59½, you must pay a 10%
                        penalty plus count the withdrawal as income for the year and pay taxes
                        accordingly. The exception to this rule is that if you leave service at age

                        55  or  older,  you  can  take  distribution  without  incurring  the  10%
                        premature distribution penalty. You will still be required to report this as

                        income in the year you take the distribution. This is unique to the TSP
                        program.  To  our  knowledge,  there  are  no  other  qualified  plans  that
                        provide this special IRS provision.




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