Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

MOST qualified retirement plans offer significant tax benefits for those willing to follow a few IRS specified rules. The government wants to make these plans- (401(k)s, Keoghs, SEPs and traditional IRAs) - available for specific needs, and has established tax law to help eliminate potential abuses of these tax advantaged investment alternatives.

For one thing, the government wants to make sure that such savings (and income tax benefits) actually go towards providing retirement income. Stiff penalties for early withdrawal help encourage investors to reserve their qualified plans for use during their retirement years.

On the other hand, the government also wants to ensure that they will one day be able to tax these accumulated funds. If you have a 401(k), a Keogh, a SEP or a traditional IRA, you must begin taking regular distributions from your plan by April 1st of the year following the year you turn 70½.

Although the tax code allows you to wait until April 1 of the year following the year you turn 70½, it is generally a good idea to take your first mandatory withdrawal in the same year you turn 70½. If you wait, you will have to make two withdrawals in the first year, doubling the amount of taxable income you must declare and potentially increasing your marginal tax bracket.

The amount you are actually required to withdraw each year, and which will be subject to taxation, is based on tables which estimate your remaining lifetime.

It is very important that you maintain a structured process of minimum withdrawals from your qualified plans--if you do not meet the required minimum distribution withdrawals, the IRS will impose a penalty of 50% of the amount not withdrawn, plus the income taxes due. The good news is that the IRS has made calculating your required minimum distributions much easier beginning January 2001.