3 WAYS THE SECURE ACT BENEFITS WOMEN
It seems like the entire world has revolved around the coronavirus for the past two months. It has changed our way of life, the way we work, and even the way we interact with friends and family.
Believe it or not, there have been other new developments in 2020 besides coronavirus. One of those new developments could have a big impact on your retirement. It’s the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act, also known as the SECURE Act. It was signed in December 2019 and became effective as a law on January 1, 2020.1
The SECURE Act makes big changes to many areas of retirement planning, including IRA contributions, 401(k) investment options, and even things like required minimum distributions (RMDs). It is likely to impact all retirees, but it could have significant benefits for women. Below are three ways in which the SECURE Act could help women in their retirement planning:
Delayed RMDs
One of the biggest changes in the SECURE Act is the adjustment of the RMD age from 70 ½ to 72.1 RMDs are mandatory withdrawals you must take from your 401(k), IRA, and other qualified accounts. The withdrawals are taxable, and there’s a steep penalty if you fail to take an RMD.
The RMD amount is based on life expectancy and your account balance. Generally, as you get older, your RMD increases. The same life expectancy formula is applied to both men and women, even though women generally live longer than men. According to the Social Security Administration, the average 65-year-old man will live to 84 while the average woman will live to 86.5.2
The SECURE Act doesn’t change the life expectancy formula, but it does reduce the amount of time that an individual will be forced to take RMDs. Retirees can start taking these distributions later, which could be especially helpful if your goal is to leave assets behind for your loved ones.
Guaranteed Income Options in 401(k) Plans
Another big change in the SECURE Act is the way it impacts investment options in 401(k) plans. The law makes it easier for 401(k) plans to offer annuities that provide guaranteed* lifetime income. The guarantees* vary by product. However, the general idea is that the funds allocated to the annuity option are used to create a guaranteed* income stream when you retire. You get the income for life, no matter how long you live.
Again, this could be beneficial for women because of their longer life expectancy. One of the biggest challenges in retirement planning is generating income that will last for life, especially if you live into your 90s or beyond. This option could provide you with certainty and a predictable income, no matter how long you live.
401(k) Access for Part-Time Employees
The SECURE Act also made 401(k) plans more accessible for part-time employees. Under the old rules, an employee needed to work 1,000 hours in a year to be eligible for 401(k) participation. Under the SECURE Act, an employee can be eligible by either working 1,000 hours in one year or 500 hours in three consecutive years.1
For a variety of reasons, more women work part-time than men. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 12.4% of male workers in the United States were part-time in 2016. More than 25% of female workers were part-time over that same period.3 This change in rules now allows those part-time workers to use a 401(k) to save for retirement.
Ready to see how the SECURE Act impacts your plans for retirement? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Oliver Asset Management. We can help you analyze your needs and develop a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
1https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/iras/articles/what-is-the-secure-act
2https://www.ssa.gov/planners/lifeexpectancy.html
3https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2017/percentage-of-employed-women-working-full-time-little-changed-over-past-5-decades.htm
Advisory services offered through Change Path, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser. Change Path, LLC and Oliver Asset Management are unaffiliated entities.
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
*Guarantees provided by annuities are subject to the financial strength of the issuing insurance company; not guaranteed by any bank or the FDIC. Guaranteed lifetime income available through annuitization or the purchase of an optional lifetime income rider, a benefit for which an annual premium is charged. .. 20043 – 2020/4/28
In today’s video, Rebecca asks an important question about retirement planning: With four different investment accounts- her 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, and individual account- she’s wondering which one she should withdraw from first when she retires next year and needs income.
Financial mistakes can happen at any age, but they can have a particularly significant impact in your 60s. In today’s episode, Frank discusses 5 common financial blunders to avoid during this pivotal decade.
In today’s mailbag episode, we’re answering a question from Bobby about Social Security. He plans to keep working for another two years but wonders if he should start taking his benefits now since he’s reached full retirement age. Is it a smart move, or could waiting be a better strategy?
We've got some financial changes that'll help you out and some new mindsets and mentalities that'll put you in the right direction as you go through the new year.
A listener recently reached out, sharing that their house feels like a constant money pit. They're dealing with one repair after another, and the cost and effort are leaving them frustrated. They’ve asked Frank if he thinks it would be a bad idea to sell the house and rent while they figure out their next move.
Why do you need a tax professional?
3 Differences Between Life Insurance and Roth IRAs
Are you saving for something big in the next few years, like a wedding or a down payment on a house? You might be wondering how to make your money work harder in the short term without taking on too much risk. In this video, Frank talks about products he calls “defined outcome investments,” which may offer higher yields than traditional CDs and bonds while providing downside protection. Whether you’re planning for something in the next 1 to 3 years, Frank explains how these products might help you balance risk and reward.
As you approach retirement, have you thought about how you’d like to spend your newfound free time? Maybe a part-time job or a side hustle is something that could appeal to you! Frank has been in this industry for a long time, so today he's going to share some of the most interesting side hustles he's seen some of his clients take on during retirement.
It’s the beginning of a new year – a time when many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. But how often do we resolve to improve the way we feel about our finances? Today, we’re talking about spending with confidence, a surprising challenge for many retirees.
Advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser. CreativeOne Wealth, LLC and Oliver Asset Management are unaffiliated entities.
Licensed Insurance Professional. Respond and learn how financial products, including life insurance and annuities can be used in various planning strategies for retirement. The information contained herein is based on our understanding of current tax law. The tax and legislative information may be subject to change and different interpretations. We recommend that you seek professional tax advice for applicability to your personal situation.
*Testimonials are based on unique experiences from current clients and are not representative of all client experiences. Testimonials are unsolicited and clients received no compensation (cash or non-cash). Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Testimonials are encouraged and welcomed from all prospects and clients. Investment advisory services offered through CreativeOne Wealth, LLC, a registered investment advisor. CreativeOne Wealth is not affiliated with Oliver Asset Management. Additional information about CreativeOne Wealth, LLC is available in its current disclosure documents, Form ADV, Form ADV Part 2A Brochure, and Client Relationship Summary report which are accessible online via the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, using CRD #281213.
Oliver Asset Management © 2023